Chapter one

Introduction to Multimedia Systems

What is Multimedia?
Let us define it from two Perspectives
1. In terms of what multimedia is all about?
 It refers to the storage, transmission, interchange, presentation and perception
of different Information types (data types) such as text, graphics, voice, audio
and video
• Storage- refers to the type of physical means to store data.
• Presentation- refers to the type of physical means to reproduce information to
the user.
• Perception- describes the nature of information as perceived by the user
• Representation- related to how information is described in an abstract form
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2) Based on the word "Multimedia"
Multi- multiple/many

Media- source

Source refers to different kind of information that we use in multimedia.

This includes: text, graphics, audio, video,images

Multimedia refers to multiple sources of information. It is a system which

integrates all the above types.

Multimedia means computer information can be represented in audio, video and

animated format in addition to traditional format

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General and working definition:
Multimedia is the field concerned with the computer controlled integration of
text, graphics, drawings, moving images (video), animation, and any other media
where every type of information can be represented, stored, transmitted, and
processed digitally.

What is Multimedia Application?

A Multimedia Application is an application which uses a collection of multiple

media sources

What is Multimedia system?

A Multimedia System is a system capable of processing multimedia data.

A Multimedia System is characterized by the processing, storage, generation,

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manipulation and rendition of multimedia information
 Characteristics of Multimedia System

A Multimedia system has four basic characteristics:

Multimedia systems must be computer controlled

Multimedia systems are integrated

The information they handle must be represented digitally

The interface to the final presentation of media is usually interactive

Multimedia Applications (where it is applied)

 Digital video editing and production systems

Home shopping

Interactive movies, and TV

Multimedia courseware

 Video conferencing 4
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Virtual reality(the creation of artificial environment that you can explore, e.g.

3-D images, etc)

Distributed lectures for higher education

Tele-medicine

Digital libraries

World Wide Web

On-line reference works e.g. encyclopedias, games, etc.

Electronic Newspapers/Magazines

Games

Groupware (enabling groups of people to collaborate on projects and share

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 Features of Multimedia

Multimedia has three aspects:

1. Content : movie, production, etc.
2. Creative Design: creativity is important in designing the presentation.
3.Enabling Technologies : Network and software tools that allow creative designs to
be presented.
Hypermedia/Multimedia
What is Hypertext and Hypermedia?
Hypertext
is a text, which contains links to other texts.
was invented by Ted Nelson around 1965
is usually non-linear

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Hypermedia
not constrained to be text-based, It can
include other media
Ted Nelson was also the first to use this
term.
WWW is the best example of
hypermedia applications.

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Desirable Features for a Multimedia System

Very high processing speed (processing power):there are large data to be processed.

It should support different file formats.:we deal with different data types

 Efficient and High Input-output

Special Operating System : real-time scheduling

Storage and Memory: large storage,memory and caches are reuired

Software Tools

Challenges of Multimedia Systems

 Synchronization issue: variety of media is used at the same instance
 Data conversion: we have to convert analog data into digital data.
 Compression and decompression: multimedia deals with large amount of data
 Render different data at same time : continuous data
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 Summary of chap 1
Multimedia Information Flow

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 Chapter 2
Multimedia Authoring Tools

What is Authoring System?

Authoring is the process of creating multimedia applications
An authoring system is a program which has pre-programmed
elements for the development of interactive multimedia
presentations.
Authoring tools provide an integrated environment for binding
together the different elements of a Multimedia production.
Multimedia presentations can be created using:
simple presentation packages such as PowerPoint
powerful RAD tools such as Delphi, .Net, JBuilder;
True Authoring environments,

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Authoring systems vary widely in:
Orientation

Capabilities, and

Learning curve: how easy it is to learn how to use the

application

Why should you use an authoring system?

Can speed up programming : content development and delivery.

Time gains : accelerated prototyping.

The content creation : (graphics, text, video, audio, animation) is

not affected by choice of authoring system 12
Characteristics of Authoring Tools
A good authoring tool should be able to:
Integrate text, graphics, video, and audio to create a single
multimedia presentation.
Control interactivity by the use of menus, buttons, hotspots, hot
objects etc.
Publish as a presentation or a self-running executable; on
CD/DVD, Intranet, WWW.
Allow to create highly efficient, integrated workflow.
Have a large user base.
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 Selecting Authoring Tools

Some of the features that you have to take into consideration when selecting
authoring tools are:
1) Editing Feature
2) Organizing feature
3) Programming feature
* Visual programming
*Programming with scripting language
* Programming with traditional language
4) Interactivity feature : interactivity offers to the end user of the project to
control the content and flow of
information.
5) Performance-tuning features
6) Playback feature : easy testing of the project
7) Delivery feature : delivering our project needs building runtime version of
the project using authoring tools.

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 Multimedia System Requirement

1) Software Requirement
2) Hardware Requirement
1. Software Requirement

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1. 3D Modeling and Animation Tools:
 This software provide 3D clip art object such as people, furniture,
building, car, airplane, tree, etc.
A good 3D modeling tool should include the following features:
Ability to drag and drop primitive shape into screen.
Ability to create objects from scratch.
Ability to add realistic effects such as transparency, shadowing, fog,
etc.
Multiple windows that allow user to view model in each dimension.
Color and texture mapping.
Examples:
3Ds Max
Maya
Logo motion
Softimage 16
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2. Text Editing and Word Processing Tools:

Word processors are used for writing letters, invoices, project

content, etc.
Examples:
Microsoft Word,
Word perfect,
Open Office Word
Notepad

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3. Sound Editing Tools:

They are used to edit sound (music, speech, etc).
Examples:
Sound forge
Audacity
Cool Edit
4. Multimedia Authoring Tools:
Multimedia authoring tools provide important framework that is needed for organizing
and editing objects included in the multimedia project.
Examples:
- Macromedia Flash
- Macromedia Director
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5.OCR Software:
These software convert printed document into electronically
recognizable ASCII character. It is used with scanners.

Examples:

- Omni Page Pro

- Perceive

- IRIS

6. Painting and Drawing Tools:

 To create graphics for web and other purposes, painting and
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editing tools are crucial.
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Painting Tools: are also called image-editing tools.
Some of the activities of editing include:
blurring the picture

removing part of the picture

add texts to picture

merge two or more pictures together, etc

Examples:
- Macromedia Fireworks
- Adobe Photoshop

Drawing Tool: used to create vector based graphics.

Examples:
- Macromedia Freehand
- CorelDraw
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7. Video Editing

Some of the tools to edit video include:

Adobe premier

Adobe After Effects

Desk share Video Edit Magic

Video shop

2. Hardware Requirement

Three groups of hardware for multimedia:

1) Memory and storage devices

2) Input and output devices

3) Network devices
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1) Memory and Storage Devices –
Multimedia products require high storage capacity than text-based data.
1. RAM
2. Storage Devices
 Floppy Disk
 Hard Disk
 CD
 DVD

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2) Input-Output Devices –

I) Interacting with the system:

 Mouse
 Wireless mouse
 Touch Screen

II) Information Entry Devices:

Graphical Tablets/ Digitizer

Scanners

Microphones

Digital Camera and Video Camera (VCR)

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III) Output Devices:
 Speaker
 Projector
 Plotter/Pinter

3) Network Devices
Modem - modulator demodulator

 ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network:-is circuit switched telephone

network system designed to allow digital transmission of voice and data over
ordinary telephone copper wires.
Cable modem: uses existing cables stretched for television broadcast reception.

DSL - Digital Subscriber Line:-provide digital data transmission over the

telephone wires of local telephone network.
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