Chapter 0: Introduction to Multimedia

Systems

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 What is Multimedia?

• Derived from the word “Multi” and “Media”

– Multi
• Many, Multiple,
– Media
• Tools that is used to represent or do a certain things,
delivery medium, a form of mass communication –
newspaper, magazine / tv.
• Distribution tool & information presentation – text,
graphic, voice, images, music and etc.

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 Definition of Multimedia

• Multimedia is a combination of text, graphic,

sound, animation, and video that is delivered
interactively to the user by electronic or digitally
manipulated means.
GRAPHIC
TEXT

VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

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 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

TEXT
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

 A broad term for something that contains words to express

something.
 Text is the most basic element of multimedia.
 A good choice of words could help convey the intended message to the users
(keywords).
 Used in contents, menus, navigational buttons

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Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

TEXT
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

Example

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Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

GRAPHIC
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

 Two or three-dimensional figure or illustration

 Could be produced manually (by drawing, painting, carving, etc.) or by
computer graphics technology.
 Used in multimedia to show more clearly what a particular information is
all about (diagrams, picture).

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Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

GRAPHIC
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

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Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

AUDIO
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

Example

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Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

ANIMATION
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

 The illusion of motion created by the consecutive display of

images of static elements.
 In multimedia, animation is used to further enhance /
enriched the experience of the user to further understand
the information conveyed to them.

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Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

ANIMATION
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

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Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

VIDEO
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION

 Is the technology of capturing, recording, processing,

transmitting, and reconstructing moving pictures.
 Video is more towards photo realistic image sequence / live
recording as in comparison to animation.
 Video also takes a lot of storage space. So plan carefully
before you are going to use it.

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 Interactive Multimedia
• When the user is given the option of controlling the
elements.

Hyper Media

• A combination of hypertext, graphics, audio, video,

(linked elements) and interactivity culminating in a
complete, non-linear computer-based experience.

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Interactive Multimedia

Example

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Hyper Media Multimedia

Example

Main Page
1. Video link
2. Image link
3. Audio Link

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Linear Vs non-linear

Linear

• A Multimedia Project is identified as Linear when:

– It is not interactive
– User have no control over the content that is being
showed to them.
• Example:
– A movie
– A non-interactive lecture / demo show

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Linear Vs non-linear
Non-linear

• A Multimedia Project is identified as Non-Linear when:

– It is interactive
– Users have control over the content that is being showed to them.
– Users are given navigational control
• Example:
– Games
– Courseware
– Interactive CD

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Authoring Tools
• Use to merge multimedia elements (text, audio,
graphic, animation, video) into a project.
• Designed to manage individual multimedia
elements and provide user interaction (if
required).

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 Authoring Tools
• Example:
– Macromedia Authorware
– Macromedia Director
– Macromedia Flash
– Microsoft Power Point

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Importance of Multimedia
• There are a number of fields where multimedia
could be of use. Examples are:-
– Business
– Education
– Entertainment
– Home
– Public Places

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Importance of Multimedia
• Business
– Use and Applications
• Sales / Marketing Presentation
• Trade show production
• Staff Training Application
• Company Kiosk

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 Importance of Multimedia
• Education
– Use and Applications
• Courseware / Simulations
• E-Learning / Distance Learning
• Information Searching

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Importance of Multimedia
• Entertainment
– Use and Applications
• Games (Leisure / Educational)
• Movies
• Video on Demand
– Online

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Importance of Multimedia

• Home
– Use and Applications
• Television
• Satellite TV
• SMS services (chats, voting, reality TV)

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Importance of Multimedia
• Public Places
– Use and Applications
• Information Kiosk
• Smart Cards, Security

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Multimedia Products
1. Briefing Products
2. Reference Products
3. Database Products
4. Education and Training Products
5. Kiosk
6. Entertainment and Games

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Multimedia Products
1. Briefing Products
• Small, straightforward, linear products used to present
information quickly and concisely.
• Characteristic of briefing product:
 Short Development Cycle
 Limited Number of Presentations
 Usage of text to present information with limited use
of graphic, audio and video.
 Have few navigational controls. (mouse click and
button press to move from one page to another)
 Content and the format are suitable for the audience
and fulfill the purpose of the presentation.

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Multimedia Products
1. Briefing Products

• Good briefing presentation depends on:

 The understanding of the presented subject.
 Seamless integration of content.
 Consistent layout

• Example:
 Corporate Presentation
 Sales Presentation
 Educational Lectures

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Multimedia Products
2. Reference Products
• Often used for answering specific questions or for general
browsing of information. (stored on CD/ DVD ROM)
• Characteristic of reference product:
 Used by wide range of user (small – adult)
 Have navigational menu, book marking, searching,
printing utility

• 2 Basic classes of reference product:

 Generalized Content (dictionary/encyclopedia)
 Broad treatment of content at a limited depth
 Detailed Content
 Focus on specific area and provide extensive
information.
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Multimedia Products
2. Reference Products
• Good usability and success depends on:
 The developers understanding the body of
information and how the end user will want to access
it.
 Help function should always available to explain how
to access and use the information
• Examples are electronic forms of:
 Encyclopedia
 Dictionaries
 Cookbooks, Historical, Informative
 Scientific surveys.

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Multimedia Products
2. Reference Products
• Example:

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Multimedia Products
3. Database
Products
• Similar to reference product in a sense that large
amount of information are made available to the end
user.
• Focus on storing and accessing the actual data
(multimedia data such as text, graphic, audio, animation
• and video)
Characteristics of Database Products are:
 Manages multimedia data (large data)
 Descriptive finding methods
 Content based search
 Simultaneous access
 Online database
 Relational consistency in data management.
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Multimedia Products
3. Database
• Products
Examples are:
 Google Search
 Google Earth

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Multimedia Products
4. Education and Training
Products
• Similar to textbook or training manuals but have added
media such as audio, animation and video.
• Make up a significant share of the multimedia market
ranging from pre-kindergarten to postgraduate offerings,
from technical to corporate training products.

• Categories of reference product:

 Instructor Support Products
 Standalone or Self-Paced Products
 Combination Products

• Shares the same characteristics as Reference Product

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Multimedia Products
4. Education and Training Products

• Example

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Multimedia Products
5. Kiosk Products
• A product which is usually stationed at public places and
allow the user to find information interactively and also
other types of transaction.

• Characteristics of Kiosk Products:-

 Limited target users and usage.
 User friendly and easily used by user.
 Fast response.

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Multimedia Products
5. Kiosk Products
• Categories of Kiosk
 Point Of Information
 Provide certain information (example map, timetable
etc)
 Point Of Sales System
 Allow users to purchase or make orders

• Example of Kiosk Products:-

 Instant Photo Booth
 Banking Kiosk (money deposit, cheque)
 University Information Kiosk

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Multimedia Products
6. Entertainment &
•
Games
Most popular
• Shipped in the form of Interactive CD / DVD ROM.
• Characteristics of E & G Products:-
 Immersive.
 Requires constant feedback and interaction with the
user.
 Challenging and sometimes intriguing for user
 Enabled online play for more than one user
experience.

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