Chapter: 7 Multimedia

Introduction:

Multimedia is the combination of two or more than two media for making the information more informative and attractive. One of the key features of multimedia is interactivity. Interactivity elements can include mouse manipulation, voice command, touch screen, video captures of user, live participation, etc. The multimedia is a combined form of text, graphics, audio, video media.

Advantages of multimedia

1. It is very user-friendly.
2. It is multi-sensonal.
3. It is integrated and interactive.
4. It is flexible.
5. It can be used for a wide variety of audiences, ranging from one person to a whole group.

Disadvantages of multimedia

1. It can be expensive.
2. Difficult to work with large files using multi-media applications like vi-

Components of multimedia

1. Text:

Text is the data, such as string and numbers. It includes formatted and unformatted strings, integer and floating data, etc. Text data are used for multimedia to prepare text documents. There are two types of text. They are:

1. Static Text:
   The words are built into the graphics just like the graphics and explanation given in the pages of the book.
2. Hypertext:
   It consists the links and text between the pages, which define the paths the user can follow to access the text in non-sequential way.

2. Colour:

The perception of color is a complex neuropsychological process. It has an important part in multimedia design. It is composed by wavelength and different colors. It has physical and psychological effects on human behaviour. It affects different lights on pose the white color of sunbeam.

3. Graphics:

It is an important component of multimedia. The computer generates graphic images in two ways:

1. Raster or Bitmap images:
   It is most common and comprehensive form of storage for images on a computer. Bitmap is a simple matrix of the tiny dots called pixel that forms a bitmap image. Its formats are Windows Bitmap (BMP), Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) etc.
2. Vector images:
   It is based on a relatively limited number of drawing commands. Its advantage is that the relatively small amount of data required to represent image and therefore, it does not require a lot of memory to store.

Image format in Practice:

The gif, jpg, png, bmp (Windows bitmap file) formats are used for animation. In 1980, CompuServe Inc. develops GIF format and in 1990, it is accepted as the best graphic format for web. The specific

4. Audio:

It is the most sensuous element of multimedia. It is meaningful speech in any language, from a whisper to a scream. There are two types of Audio. They are:

1. Musical Instrument Digital Identifier (MIDI):
   In 1980s it is developed for electronic musical instruments computers. It is the quickest, easiest and most flexible tool for composing original see score in a multimedia project.
2. Digital Audio:
   It is sampled sound. Its quality depend upon how often the samples are taken (sampling rate) and how many numbers are used to represent the values of each sample (bit depth, sample size, resolution).

5. Video:

It is defined as the display of recorded real events on a television type screen. It is most challenging multimedia content to deliver via web. Most popular video format are .Mov (iMovie), AVI (Audio Video Interleave) & MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group).

Types

1. Analog Video:
   It is the video data that is stored, in any non-computer media like videotape, laserdisc, film, etc. It is further divided in two types, composite and component analogue video.
2. Digital Video:
   It is storage intensive. It is the most engaging of multimedia settings, and it is a powerful tool for bringing computer users closer to the real world.

6. Animation:

The term animation is used for object, which can show movement on the computer screen like as human being. The main concept of animation is a persistence of vision. When 10 different images are displayed in sequence one after one in 1 sec., eyes cannot find out differences among them. This concept is key ideas behind animation.

Examples

1. 2D Animation:
   This is a simple type of animations because 2D graphics package is used to design images per frame. It is important for TV cartoon designing, advertisement and so on.
2. 3D Animation:
   It is animated & create realistic effects to observe. It is used to draw images per frame, to render many of special effects seen in live action films etc.
3. Path Animation:
   It involve moving an object on a screen that has a constant background, eg. a cartoon character may move across the screen regardless and change in the background or the character.
4. Frame Animation:
   In this, several objects are allowed to move simultaneously and the objects or the background can change.

Animation in Film Industry:

Its two large activities are:

1. Special effect:
   Now a day, more than 90% films are based on computer special effects because risky jobs of stunt men are replaced by computer. The computer is applied for special effects like as translation of written information.
2. Cartoon films:
   In this, more and more frames are designed by artists and animated using multimedia kits. The Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, Jurassic Park etc. are the famous cartoon animation films.

Application Areas of Multimedia

1. Education:
   In this, CD is used as main thing which contains study materials, audio-video materials, etc. It is important for all types of educational institutions.
2. Training:
   There are many organization which offer multimedia kits for preparation of service commissions, to trained man powers through video clips, slide show etc.
3. Entertainment:
   It is a medium of entertainment in home and office. You can enjoy national as well as foreign films, music etc. in your chair!
4. Advertisement:
   It helps in advertisement of products for business organization through internet etc.
5. Business Communication:
   It is very powerful tools to maintain the quality of business communication.