Multimedia Systems Components

Images

• Images consist of a set of units called pixels organized in a 2D array
• Each pixel has a bit depth, which is the number of bits assigned to each pixel

Video

• Video is a sequence of images (frames) with the same spatial parameters
• Frame rate (fps) measures the number of frames displayed per second
• Aspect ratio defines the ratio of the width to height, commonly 4:3
• Scanning format converts frames into a 1D signal for broadcast

Audio

• Digital audio is characterized by a sampling rate in Hertz
• Sampling rate measures how often samples are taken (in kilohertz)
• Sample size represents the number of bits used to represent each sample's value (8-16 bits)
• Dimensionality refers to the number of channels in the signal

Graphics

• 2D/3D graphic elements are represented by vector coordinates
• Graphics have properties like fill color, boundary thickness, and more

Inherent Qualities of Multimedia Data

• Multimedia data can be analogue or digital, but digital is the primary concern
• Data is voluminous, interactive, and requires real-time transmission and synchronization

Multimedia Definition

• Multimedia consists of applications that combine different media types (text, graphics, photos, audio, video, animation)

Multimedia Information/System

• Multimedia information consists of one or more media types (text, audio, video, 2D/3D graphics, animation)
• A multimedia system processes, stores, generates, manipulates, and renders multimedia information

Characteristics of Multimedia Systems

• Digitized: all media are represented in digital format
• Distributed: information is remote, stored or produced in real-time, and distributed over networks
• Interactive: users can affect received information and send their own
• Integrated: media are treated uniformly, presented in an orchestrated way, and can be manipulated independently

Key Issues for Multimedia Systems

• Three main processes: content creation, storage and compression, and distribution

Components of a Multimedia System

• Capture devices: video cameras, microphones, keyboards, graphics tablets, and more
• Storage devices: hard disks, CD-ROMs, Zip drives, DVD, etc.
• Communication networks: Ethernet, ATM, Intranets, Internets
• Computer systems: multimedia desktops, workstations, MPEG/VIDEO/DSP hardware
• Display devices: CD-quality speakers, HDTV, SVGA, Hi-Res monitors, color printers, etc.

Classification of Multimedia Systems

• Classification by interaction style, number of users, live content, and more
• Static vs. dynamic: static (discrete media) includes text, image, graphics, while dynamic (continuous media) includes audio, video, animation
• Real-time vs. orchestrated: real-time multimedia requires delivery and rendering in real-time, while orchestrated multimedia involves capturing and generating information
• Linear vs. nonlinear: linear multimedia has a continuous sequence, while nonlinear multimedia has a non-sequential structure

Learn about the essential components of a multimedia system, including capture devices, storage devices, and communication networks.