JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

NAKURU CAMPUS.

UNIT TITLE: MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS

UNIT CODE: ICS 2303

TASK: GROUP ASSIGNMENT 3

GROUP 1 MEMBERS

1. NANCY BISIERI – REG NO: SCT221-COO7-0425-2017

2. JOB NYANDUSI - REGNO: SCT221-COO7-0424-2017
3. GEOFFREY KIMANI – REG NO: SCT221-COO7-0297-2017

Due 24TH NOV 2020

NAKURU CAMPUS
 Multimedia Systems Assignment 3
Question 1
a) Define the following terms as used in multimedia
i) Medium
-It is a third-party or element through which a message is communicated.
ii) Perception medium
-It is a media that helps humans to sense their environment
iii) Representation medium
-Representation media are characterized by internal computer representations of information.
iv) Presentation medium (4marks)
-They are tools and devices for the input and output of information.

b)
i) What do you understand by the term virtual reality (1Mark)
-It is the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment to a human eye which
makes virtual images/videos feel like real life objects.

ii) Discuss any FOUR protocols that can be suitable for use for information interchange in
a virtual environment, clearly stating their suitability. (4marks)
i. SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a TCP/IP protocol for monitoring
networks and network components. SNMP uses small utility programs called agents to
monitor behavior and traffic on the network, in order to gather statistical data.
ii. RTP – short for Real-time Transport Protocol defines a standard packet format for
delivering audio and video over the Internet.
iii. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network management protocol used
to automate the process of configuring devices on IP networks, thus allowing them to use
network services such as DNS, NTP, and any communication protocol based on UDP or
TCP.
iv. Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is a simple protocol used for transferring files.
TFTP uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to transport data from one end to another.
TFTP is mostly used to read and write files/mail to or from a remote server.
iii) Briefly explain any three different types of environment in virtual reality (3Marks)
- Semi-Immersive virtual reality – this environment offers users a mix of real and virtual
interactive elements.

- Augmented Reality environment – Augmented Reality applications display computer-

generated items over real-time images of physical environments. 

-Mixed Reality environment - it combines virtual and real elements, the virtual components in
Mixed Reality interact with the real world, leading to an authentic affected Virtual Reality
experience. People can use mixed reality to interact with 3D holograms in comfortable physical
environments like their living rooms.

v) Describe THREE hardware devices used in virtual environments, clearly

explaining the functions of each (3marks)

Personal Computer (PC)/Console/Smartphone

Computers are used to process inputs and outputs sequentially. To power the content creation
and production significant computing power is required, thereby making
PC/consoles/smartphones important part of VR systems. 

Input devices

- provides users the sense of immersion and determines the way a user communicates with the
computer. It helps users to navigate and interact within a VR environment to make it intuitive
and natural as possible. Example of joysticks, force Balls/Tracking balls, controller wands, data
gloves, trackpads, On-device control buttons, motion trackers, bodysuits, treadmills and motion
platforms .

Sensors display - act as transducer to convert the energy it receives into a signal from an
electrical circuit.
Question 2
a) Discuss any FOUR color coding techniques used in multimedia (2marks )
i. ICEA/NEMA Method 1 - Colored insulation with contrasting ink tracers as required.
Six different insulation colors and four different colored ink tracers are used to provide
positive identification through 21 conductors. The same identification sequence is
repeated for cables containing more than 21 conductors.
ii. ICEA/NEMA Method 2 - A neutral colored compound is used with single or double
spiral ink tracers as required to provide positive identification through 21 conductors. The
identification sequence is repeated for cables containing more than 21 conductors.
iii. ICEA/NEMA Method 3 - A neutral or single colored insulation compound is surface ink
printed with both conductor number and color designation to provide positive
identification through 21 conductors. The identification sequence is repeated for colors
containing more than 21 conductors.
iv. ICEA/NEMA Method 4 - A neutral or single colored insulation compound is surface ink
printed with conductor number to provide positive conductor identification through 21
conductors. The identification sequence is repeated for cables containing more than 21
conductors.

b) Clearly explain some of the basic concepts that are used in MIDI (3Marks)

A MIDI transmission consists of a series of signals, called bits that pass through a MIDI cable.
These signals are electrical impulses that represent the 1's and 0's that make up the language of
computers.

When the impulses reach their destination the device interprets them as a series of instructions
that usually result in the production of a sound.

The bits in the MIDI transmission move at 31,250 per second, and are transmitted in a serial
manner, meaning one after another.
Every bit does not represent a different note or event, however. Bits are grouped into strings of
10 to create MIDI messages.

MIDI messages are actually eight bits (= one byte).

When messages are being transmitted, two extra bits, called the stop and start bits, are added to
the beginning and end of the byte, hence the 10 bit length of most events.

MIDI messages detail specific aspects of a musical performance: 

• what notes should be heard 
• how loud they should be 
• what type of sound (trumpet, drum, flute) should play the notes, etc.

Together, MIDI messages represent an entire language of musical actions, and can be used to
control all details of a complete symphony or a simple hymn.

c) State THREE analogue broadcast standards for a color TV with respective countries
where they are used (3 marks)

- National Television System Committee (NTSC) is the analog television color system that

was introduced in North America in 1954 and stayed in use until digital conversion.

-SECAM, is an analog color television system first used in France. It was one of three major
color television standards.
PAL (Phase Alternating Line) - The problem with the PAL method was that, if the Chroma
phase errors were bad, they gave the picture a revolting 'Venetian Blind' effect, which they called
'Hanover Bars', after the town in which the effect was 'first' discovered.

d) Clearly explain what you understand by multimedia streaming and state some of the
advantages of multimedia streaming (3marks)

Advantages
I. Clear Sound and Picture.
II. Instant Viewing
III. No Download Time
IV. No Need for Memory Space
V. Instant Playback
VI. Many Streaming Options

e) Distinguish between progressive download and real-time streaming (2marks)

Progressive download real-time streaming

-Advancing is not possible - Advancing video is possible

- Does not effectively utilize Bright cove’s -Effectively utilizes Bright cove’s dynamic
dynamic delivery feature delivery feature

-More bandwidth is used as all parts of the video - Allows you to serve more steams with less
are downloaded, not just the watched once bandwidth