Introduction to Multimedia

Introduction to Multimedia

• Multimedia merges text, graphics, sound, animation, and video, delivered interactively via electronic or digital manipulation.
• Web-based multimedia is an interactive online experience incorporating text, graphics, sound, animation, and video.
• Interactivity is a core feature, giving users control over content.

Multimedia Elements

• Five key elements include text, graphics, audio, animation, and video.

Text

• Text is a broad term encompassing words to express meaning
• It's the most basic element in multimedia.
• Text functions in contents, menus, and navigational buttons.

Graphics

• Graphics are two-dimensional figures that can be manually produced (drawing, painting) or via computer graphics technology.
• They clarify information through diagrams and pictures.

Audio

• Audio is produced by vibration, perceived through hearing.
• It includes speech, sound effects, and music scores.

Animation

• Animation is the illusion of motion from displaying static images rapidly.
• In multimedia, it enhances/enriches the user's understanding.

Video

• Video involves capturing, recording, processing, transmitting, and reconstructing moving pictures.
• It is a photorealistic image sequence or live recording.
• Video requires substantial storage space.

Multimedia Applications

• Multimedia Applications uses multiple sources such as text, graphics, images, sound, animation, and video
• Examples include: World Wide Web, Multimedia Authoring software, Hypermedia courseware, Interactive TV, Computer Games and Virtual reality.
• Other examples are Digital video editing and production systems, and Multimedia Database systems

Digitized Multimedia

• Integration involves digitizing media elements and manipulating them with software.
• Digitized media elements are captured in a code understandable by computers.

Linear vs. Non-Linear Multimedia

• Linear multimedia lacks interactivity; users progress through a fixed sequence without control.
• Non-linear multimedia is interactive, providing users control and navigational options.

Interactive Multimedia

• Interactive multimedia provides the user with the option of controlling the elements.
• It allows users to directly respond to and control the media elements.

Hypermedia

• Hypermedia blends hypertext, graphics, audio, video, (linked elements) and interactivity.
• It offers a complete, non-linear computer-based experience.
• It's not limited to text; it includes graphics, images, sound, and video.

Hypertext

• Hypertext is text containing links to other texts, coined by Ted Nelson in 1965.

Authoring Tools

• Authoring tools are used to merge multimedia elements (text, audio, graphic, animation, video) into a project.
• They manage individual multimedia elements and user interaction.
• Examples include Macromedia Authorware, Macromedia Director, Macromedia Flash, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Importance of Multimedia

• The Chinese proverb states "Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand"
• Multimedia accommodates varied learning styles.
• People remember more when they see, hear, and interact.

Benefits of Multimedia

• Addresses multiple learning styles.
• Conveys content effectively, reinforces ideas, activates senses, enlivens information.
• It enhances enjoyment, improves retention, and enables user control.

Multimedia Usage Areas

• Business: Presentations, training, marketing, advertising, product demos, databases, catalogues, networked communications.
• School: Effective teaching, distance education.
• Home: From cooking to home repair.
• Public Places: Kiosks in terminals, hotels, malls, etc.
• Internet: Web-based delivery, online games, e-learning.
• Mobile Devices: MMS for transmitting various media, email support.

Web-Based Multimedia Categories

• Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce): online sales and marketing.
• Web-Based Training and Distance Learning: instruction over the Internet.
• Research and References: online newspapers, books, encyclopedias, and interactive guides.
• Entertainment and Games: interactive multimedia sites.

Multimedia Products

• Briefing Products: small, linear presentations.
  • Characteristics: Short development, limited scope, use of text with limited graphics, navigation controls, fulfills purpose for audience.
  • Examples: corporate, sales, and educational lectures
• Reference Products: for answering questions or browsing information on CD/DVD ROM.
  • Characteristics: Broad user range, navigation, bookmarking, searching, printing.
  • Two Classes: Generalized (broad, limited depth) and Detailed (specific, extensive information).
  • Examples: Encyclopedia, Cookbooks, Manuals, Guidebooks
• Database Products: large info for end-users, stores/accesses multimedia data.
  • Characteristics: Manages large, descriptive finding methods, simultaneous access, data consistency.
  • Examples: Google Search, Google Earth
• Education and Training Products: textbooks/manuals with added media.
  • Characteristics: Shares reference product traits.
  • Two categories: Instructor Support and Standalone or Self-Paced Products
• Kiosk Products: stationed in public places for interactive information and transactions.
  • Characteristics: Limited users, user-friendly, fast response.
  • Categories: Information and Sales Points
  • Examples: Photo Booths, Banking Kiosks, University Information
• Entertainment & Games: Usually on Interactive CD / DVD ROM
  • Characteristics of E & G Products: Immersive, requires interaction, engaging, online play

Careers in Multimedia

• Management: Executive and Project Managers.
• Management-Related: Audio, computer, and video specialists, Web designer, and Web master.
• Art-Related: Animators, graphic/interface designers, photographers, and videographers.
• Content-Related: Content/instructional specialists, and writers/editors.
• Support-Related: Production, QA, sales/marketing, and customer support roles.