Multimedia Fundamentals

Course Description

• The fundamentals of Multimedia will be discussed in this course
• Vector and Bitmapped graphics will be reviewed
• Course will cover color, video, and animation
• Course will cover sound, text and typography
• Hypermedia, interactivity, design principles, accessibility, multimedia and networks will also be examined

Grading Scheme

• Week 7 homework assignments are worth 10% of the final grade
• Week 7 exam is worth 20% of the final grade
• Week 12 assignments contribute 5% to the final grade
• The Week 12 project is worth 15%
• Year Work, presentation and discussion contributes 5% to the grading scheme
• Attendance will affect 5% of the final grade
• The final exam is worth 40%

Textbook

• The recommended textbook for the class is "Digital Multimedia" by Nigel Chapman and Jenny Chapman/ Digital Multimedia, Wiley - 3rd Edition

What is Multimedia?

• Multimedia is a word is derived from the words "Multi" and "Media"
• Multi means "Many, Multiple"
• Media refers to tools used to represent or perform a certain things
• Media refers to the delivery medium and includes mass communication such as newspapers, magazines, and television
• It is a distribution tool and information presentation, including things like: text, graphic, voice, images, music etc.

Definition of Multimedia

• Multimedia is a combination of text, graphic, sound, animation, and video
• It is delivered interactively to the user
• It can be delivered by electronic or digitally manipulated means

Elements of Multimedia

• Elements of multimedia include text, graphics, audio, animation, and video

Text

• It is a broad term for something that contains words to express something
• It is the most basic element of multimedia
• A good choice of words could help convey the intended message to the users, serving as keywords
• It is used in contents, menus, and navigational buttons

Graphics

• It is a two-dimensional figure or illustration
• It is either produced manually (by drawing, painting, carving, etc.) or by computer graphics technology
• It is used in multimedia to show more clearly what a particular information is all about, in diagrams and pictures

Audio

• It is produced by vibration, as perceived by the sense of hearing
• In multimedia, it could come in the form of speech, sound effects and also music score

Animation

• It's the illusion of motion created by the consecutive display of images of static elements
• In multimedia, animation is used to further enhance and enrich the experience of the user to further understand the information conveyed to them

Video

• It is the technology of capturing, recording, processing, transmitting, and reconstructing moving pictures
• Video is more towards photo realistic image sequence and live recording as in comparison to animation
• Video also takes a lot of storage space, so plan carefully before using it

Interactive Multimedia

• The user is given the option of controlling the elements

Hyper Media

• It is a combination of hypertext, graphics, audio, video, (linked elements) and interactivity
• It finishes in a complete, non-linear computer-based experience

Linear VS Non-Linear

• A Multimedia Project is identified as Linear when:
  • It is not interactive
  • The user has no control over the content that is being showed to them
• Some examples include a movie or a non-interactive lecture/demo show
• 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
• Some examples include Games, Courseware, Interactive CDs, Hypermedia, and Flash

Authoring Tools

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

Authoring Tools Example

• Adobe Authorware
• Adobe Director
• Adobe Flash
• Microsoft Power Point

Importance of Multimedia

• There are a number of fields where multimedia could be of use, they are:
  • Business
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Home
  • Public Places

Business

• Multimedia is used for use and applications, sales and Market Presentation, Trade show production
• Multimedia Applications include Staff Training Applications and Company Kiosks

Education

• Multimedia is used for use and applications, courseware and simulations, E-Learning / Distance Learning, Information Searching

Entertainment

• Multimedia is used for use and applications, games (Leisure / Educational), Movies, Video on Demand, and Online

Home

• Multimedia is used for use and applications, Television, Satellite TV, SMS services (chats, voting, reality TV)

Public Places

• Multimedia is used for use and applications, Information Kiosks, Smart Cards, and Security

Multimedia Products

• Common multimedia products include:
  • Briefing Products
  • Reference Products
  • Database Products
  • Education and Training Products
  • Kiosks
  • Entertainment and Games

Briefing Products

• Briefing Products are small, straightforward, and linear products used to present information quickly and concisely
• Characteristics include:
  • Short Development Cycle
  • Limited Number of Presentations
  • Use of text to present information with limited use of graphic, audio and video
  • Few navigational controls like mouse clicks and button presses to move from one page to another -Content and the format are suitable for the audience and fulfill the purpose of the presentation
• Examples:
  • Corporate Presentation
  • Sales Presentation
  • Educational Lectures

Reference Products

• Often leverage multimedia for answering specific questions or for general browsing of information, stored on CD/ DVD ROM
• Characteristics include:
  • Used by wide range of users (small – adult)
  • Has navigational menu, book marking, searching, printing utilities
• Sub classes:
  • Generalized Content, dictionaries or encyclopedias with limited depth
  • Detailed Content that focuses on a specific area for extensive information
• Examples:
  • Examples are electronic forms of:
    • ✓ Encyclopedia
    • Dictionaries
    • Cookbooks, Historical, Informative
    • Scientific surveys

Database Products

• Similar to reference products, large amounts of information are made available to the end user
• They focus on storing and accessing the actual data (multimedia data such as text, graphic, audio, animation and video)
• Characteristics include:
  • Manages multimedia data (large data)
  • Descriptive finding methods through Content based search
  • Simultaneous access via Online Database
  • Relational consistency in data management
• Examples:
  • Google Search
  • Google Earth

Education and Training

• They are similar to textbooks or training manuals, but have added media such as audio, animation and video
• These products account for a significant share of the multimedia market, ranging from pre-kindergarten to postgraduate offerings from technical to corporate training products
• Product Sub Classes:
  • Instructor Support Products
  • Standalone or Self-Paced Products
  • Combination Products
• Education and Training products shares the same characteristics as Reference Products

Kiosk Products

• A product which is usually stationed at public places
• This helps to allow the user to find information interactively and also other types of transaction
• Characteristics include:
  • Limited target users and usage
  • User-friendly and easily used by user
  • Has Fast response
• Categories include:
  • Point of Information to Provide certain information (example map, timetable etc)
  • Point Of Sales System to allow users to purchase or make orders
• Examples:
  • Instant Photo Booth
  • Banking Kiosk (money deposit, cheque)
  • University Information Kiosk

Entertainment and Games

• This is the most popular multimedia product
• Shipped in the form of Interactive CD and DVD ROM
• Characteristics include:
  • Immersive elements
  • Requires constant feedback and interaction with the user
  • Challenging and sometimes intriguing for user
  • Enabled online play for more than one user experience

Delivery

• Online
  • Uses a network, usually the Internet, to send information from one computer to another
• Offline
  • Removable storage medium is used to carry the data (CD-ROM, DVD)

Summary

• Multimedia is a combination of a variety of mechanisms to convey information, including Text, graphics, audio, video, and animation
• Hypermedia is the glue for putting it all together
• Multimedia is important and is better at conveying a message than a single form of media normally
• Multimedia products include: briefing, reference, database, education, training, kiosk, entertainment, and games
• Common tools include software that manipulates any or all of the types of media being used
• Key to review key terminology in Chapter 1
• Only media that can be stored and transmitted digitally will be surveyed
• Digital media is easier to combine, hence multimedia, easier to process (in theory) and easier to make interactive
• The web is becoming the #1 production outlet for digital multimedia