Chapter 7: Multimedia

 

7.1 Introduction to Multimedia 

The term multimedia is simply a combination of multiple forms of media which includes text graphics, audio, video, animation etc. In other words, Multimedia is simply an integration of different media together for demonstrating the information or views to the public. For example, a presentation involving image, audio and video clips would be considered a multimedia presentation which is frequently used in training, seminar, workshop etc. In the education sector, we can easily find the software as well as education tools as multimedia or 3D approaches for delivering the materials to the students by the professionals. We can see in educational software that involves animation, sound, and text which is termed as multimedia software. Mostly, multimedia requires huge disk space. We can find multimedia file formats in CDs and DVDs. They can store a huge amount of data due to the advancements in computer speeds and storage space, multimedia has become a commonplace thing today. 

POINTS TO REMEMBER 

Multimedia is simply an integration of different media together for demonstrating the information or views to the public. 

Multimedia is usually recorded and played, displayed or accessed by the information content processing devices such as computerized and electronic devices, say, for example, projector and screen. It can also be the most essential part in live performance whatever it may be. When we allow the viewer to control what and when these elements are delivered, it is interactive multimedia. When we provide a structure of linked elements through which the learner can navigate, interactive multimedia becomes hypermedia. 

Interactive Multimedia 

Interactive means users can use a variety of input devices to interact with the computer, like joystick, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, microphone etc. ‘Multi’ refers to the multiple files used in the multimedia product, like text, graphics, animation, audio and video. Media Sources can be used as components in the multimedia product, like CD, DVD, video disk, scanner or other audio source, digital camera etc. 

7.2 Components of Multimedia 

Multimedia applications can include many types of media. The primary characteristics of a multimedia system is the use of more than one kind of media to deliver the content and functionality. Multimedia components generally fall into six main categories and use various techniques for digital formatting.

Text:

It may be an easy content type and very essential component in multimedia systems. Text content is by far the most common media type in computing applications. Most multimedia systems use a combination of text with other media to deliver functionality. Text includes characters, numbers and other symbols in terms of word, line or a paragraph. 

There are different tools for formatting text documents applying different word processing software for attractive layouts with animated ways using different software tools.

 

Graphics or Images:

Graphics refers to images or pictures. Digital image files appear in many multimedia applications. Interactive elements such as buttons often use custom images created by the designers and developers involved in an application. Digital image files use a variety of formats and file extensions which can be JPEGs, GIFs, PNGs etc. These are frequently appearing on websites, as the formats allow the developers to minimize on file size while maximizing on picture quality. The graphic design software such as  Photoshop, Illustrator and PaintShop Pro allow the designers and developers to create complex visual effects with digital images. 

Audio:

Audio files and streams play a vital role in this fast growing multimedia system. Audio files appear as part of the application content in a way to help interaction. When they appear within the web applications and sites, audio files sometimes need to be deployed using plug-in media players. Audio formats may be in the form of MP3, WMA, WAVE, MIDI and RealAudio etc. When the developers include audio within a website, they will generally use a compressed format to minimize on download time. Web services can also stream audio, so that the users can begin the playback before the entire file is downloaded. We can insert or put audio files in the background while presenting an effective multimedia presentation. These are frequently needed while we create the multimedia presentation or visual CD and website by placing it in the proper place as needed. 

Video: 

We can find related and realistic video in multimedia presentations good enough to amuse and entertain the viewers. Video is probably the most powerful tool in multimedia when it comes to showing/demonstrating the evidence in related research and work for better performance. Digital video appears in many multimedia applications, particularly on the web. As with audio, websites can stream digital video to increase the speed and availability of the playback. Common digital video formats include Flash, MPEG, AVI, WMV and  QuickTime. Most digital video requires the use of browser plug-ins to play within Web pages, but in many cases, the user's browser will already have the required resources installed.

Animation: 

Animated components are common within the web and desktop multimedia applications. Animations can also include interactive effects, allowing the users to engage with the animation action merely by using their mouse and keyboard. Animation can be of 2D or 3D effects with interactive image or video files for the users applying different software tools like MAYA 3D, AutoCAD, 3D Max, Macromedia Flash etc. The most common tool for creating animations on the web is Adobe Flash, which also facilitates the desktop applications. By using Flash, the developers create FLV files, exporting them as SWF movies for the deployment to users. We can also use ActionScript code in Flash to achieve animated and interactive effects. 

Hypermedia: 

Hypermedia is an extension to hypertext or the ability to open a new web page by simply clicking the text links on a web browser. Hypermedia extends upon this by allowing the user to click the images, movies, graphics and other media. The most common type of hypermedia is an image link. The photos or graphics on the web are often linked to the other pages. For example, clicking a small “thumbnail” image may open a larger version of the picture in a new window. Clicking a promotional graphic may direct you to an advertiser's website. Flash animations and videos can also be turned into hyperlinks by embedding one or more links that appear during playback.  

7.3 Application of Multimedia 

We can see the uses or applications of Multimedia in various areas, some of them are as follows:

1.                  Education: We can see teachers happy and resourceful while delivering the course contents by comfortably using different multimedia techniques in institutions, colleges and universities  which helps the students to build clear concepts and lasting understanding by putting the designed text, audio, video etc. In the market, one can find many interactive education CDs of choice for different subjects in Nepal. Teachers and students can easily and for free use encyclopedia, electronic dictionary, electronic virtual classes etc. There are also open universities giving us distance education via interactive multimedia based online education. In one way or the other, Multimedia has brought the world into the class. 

2.                  Entertainment: Multimedia technology is now widely used in the entertainment business as well. Without this technology, it would be next to impossible to make entertainment files, movies, animation etc. By dubbing, mixing, editing of film or movie this is quite commonly used with best output. In most movies, we can see multimedia effects of 3D techniques, graphics, animations, rerecording etc . Thankfully we belong to this age of technology to get quality products. Furthermore, there are so many multimedia based games which are most commonly used with every feeling of virtual/ real life experience. 

3.                  Business: Business houses give the product information to their customers through newspaper, radio, online, television- whatever it may be via the multimedia tools. Understandably, if the design and presentation is multimedia bed, it definitely attracts the customers from the first minute they see or watch the contents. Nowadays, so many creative designers are working on designing advertisements for paper media, online media, audio or video medla to make something different; however, it is a very challenging job to design when it comes to delivering the contents to the customers.

4.                  Communication: In the field of communication of different sorts of multimedia tools, we can easily and at nominal cost communicate with each other via live text chat, audio chat, video chat. Doubtlessly, it makes our daily communication easy, efficient and effective. There are many interactive multimedia based social networking site such as facebook, twitter, hi5 etc. making communication easier and faster with people from different time zones and anytime and at nominal costs.

5.                  Training: We can, of course, use multimedia tools and techniques to best deliver the information in the form of text, image, audio and video for the trainees in an attractive and effective way for them to easily conceptualize the contents. Different organizations organize training for different purposes: some for demonstration of their products, others for training for the employees, and yet others for meeting, and many more. Use of multimedia computers and projector with white large screen works wonder for trainees to get knowledge from the trainers. Multimedia reduces the trainers’ pressure of manual preparation of the training materials. 

6.                  Web Pages: Nowadays, the website of any organization or individual is familiar to provide information for the users. They share the information in a friendly and interactive manner with the users via different multimedia tools and by using the images, audios, videos, animations on the web page. Doing so makes the delivery of information clear to the receiver. We can see attractive layout web pages using dynamic approach, most of the news sites, portals, educational sites, medical sites, business sites and other personal sites etc. 

7.                  Journalism: Journalist now is not just a reporter ; he/she is at the same time a photographer, editor, interpreter, and designer as well depending on the nature of job. Therefore, it is essential for the journalist to know how to use multimedia approach at designing and editing the news and articles effectively. They need to collect footage from different fields in order to make interesting audio and visual news by using multimedia tools in a way to deliver it to the global audience easily. 

8.                  Engineering: Software engineers frequently use multimedia tools in computer graphics and simulations in any related area for demonstrating the upcoming products and happening scientifically. These tools are equally used for creativity in designing and developing the entertainment business at scientific research. Doing so helps the business entrepreneur with productive results and its future effect towards society. 

Also, there are numerous other applications of multimedia in every field. We use the technology in this ever changing world.