Multimedia Brief overview of capabilities and trends Future perspectives Basic hardware and software requirements and costs

Brief overview of capabilities and trends Multimedia is the presentation of information by a computer system using 1. graphics, 2. animations, 3. sounds and 4. text. The data may be stored in many different ways using computer storage devices, together with a picture database The output could be through 1. Monitors, 2. sound-generators 3. laser projectors.

Uses of Multimedia

Interactive Video This involves the user of a computer being linked to a DVD (large capacity data store) to provide random access retrieval of images and sound Access times can sometimes appear long due to the large amount of data being stored Disadvantages are forgotten due to the amount, variety and quality of data which can be retrieved from one active device. _id=annotation_25646&user=kungfupanda2

Browse This is a feature of hypertext systems which allow users to build their own route rather than following a pre-determined one. The route chosen may be remembered by the system so that it can be re-traced back to the starting point of that route. This kind of browsing is particularly useful in applications such as computerised manuals; computer aided learning packages and large databases.

Video Clip A video clip is a short section of film or video stored in digital form. It is easily incorporated in computer displays. The video clip would normally be stored in compressed form; otherwise the storage cost would be unaffordable.

Video Data Compression This is the use of electronic methods to reduce the amount of data that has to be included when video data is stored or transmitted. For moving pictures (video), the principles involve identifying those parts of the picture which change from one scan to the next, and sending data only about changes (delta compression).This will save a significant amount of transmission and storage capacity Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) had defined standards for still picture compression, these standards have been extended by the Motion Picture Expert Group (MPEG) to cover moving images. Sound is compressed using MP3 encoding and decoding mechanisms.

Future perspectives With advances in technology such as 1. faster CPUs, 2. cheaper storage, 3. very fast Internet connectivity We now have endless possibilities for multimedia

Sharing Information Public databases can be made accessible on the Internet, allowing a large number of users to access its contents. Nowadays, various websites offer free books to be read from home by accessing their database. Universities can also publish their work and research on Internet, which makes communication and research with other universities much easier; this is also further helped by video-conferencing which can encourage distant team-work.

Virtual Tours Thanks to video and sound compression, virtual tours can be created. Using a standard interface a user can go on a virtual tour of a historic or public landmark. This can be done by taking pictures (or a videos) of the place, editing it, and finally compiling it, so that the user can choose where to go by simply clicking the mouse. These tours are very popular with real estate agencies nt/foyer.html nt/foyer.html

Virtual Reality Thanks to multimedia, virtual reality can also be achieved. Virtual reality is a computer generated environment which provides the user with the illusion of being present in that situation. Virtual reality is produced by providing feedback to our various senses As the user moves or acts, the image seen will so the same, this requires high-powered computers. There are two main types of virtual reality: 1. Immersive VR: these systems provide feedback to as many senses as possible by using specialised equipment., providing very realistic situations and are used for training. 2. Non-immersive VR: this system does not attempting to convince the user that it is real. This can be done relatively cheaply using common equipment. The environment is displayed on a standard monitor using 3D graphics and can be controlled using a simple pointing device such as a special scalpel that a sculptor may use to carve a sculpture. Other examples include vehicle driver training.

Basic hardware and software requirements and costs The basic requirement for multimedia is a PC which has a: 1. Video Card - to process images 2. Monitor (CRT or LCD) in order to be able to display multimedia components, 3. Sound Card - to process sounds 4. Speakers - to playback sounds. 5. CD or DVD drives - to store large amounts of multimedia data. 6. Colour printer - to print images or text on paper. 7. Input devices. The type of multimedia dictates the hardware requirements, and the better the hardware the steeper the costs will be.