The document discusses research into interactive media, covering various topics such as short films, viral marketing, advertising, and technology used for interactive media. It provides definitions and examples for different types of interactive content and their typical platforms for delivery, mainly focusing on internet, mobile devices, and streaming. The research aims to inform the creation of an interactive media guide covering these topics.

1. Research Into
Interactive Media
By Adam Gilson

2. Please choose which
section you wish to view.
Interactive Media
Introduction
Technology

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Short Films
Viral Marketing
Promotional Videos
Advertising
Film Trailers
Virtual Reality Tours
User Generated Content (Web 2.0)
Games
E-Learning
Interactive Media

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Data Video Capture
File Size
Compression
Aspect Ratio
Digital Video Formats
Streaming Methods
Data Transfer Rate
Technology
Media Players
Digital Rights Management Systems

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In this assignment I
have been asked to
research into the
technologies and
applications that are
relevant to the
creation of an
Interactive Media
Guide.
Introduction

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 Definition
 Platforms for
Delivery
 Short Film
Festival
 Example 1 –
Address is
Approximate
Short Films

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 Definition
 Platforms for
Delivery
 Example 1 – Shift
Happens Video
Promotional Videos

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 Definition
 Platform for
Delivery
 Example 1 – Iron
Man 3
Film Trailers

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 Definition
 Platform for
Delivery
 Example 1 –
Collage of Web 2.0
User Generated Content

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 Definition
 Platform for
Delivery
 Example 1 – Coca
Cola Christmas
Advert
 Example 2 –
Tmobile Flashmob
Viral Marketing

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 Definition
 Platform for
Delivery
 Example 1 –
Interactive Advert
on a Bus Shelter
Advertising

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 Definition
 Platform for
Delivery
 Example 1 –
Google Streetview
– New York
Virtual Reality Tours

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 Definition
 Platform for
Delivery
 Example 1 – Grand
Theft Auto V
Trailer
Games

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 Definition
 Platform for
Delivery
 Example 1 –
EpicMealTime
French Toast
Walkthrough
E-Learning

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
Cable
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
WIFI
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
Memory Card
Digital Video Capture

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
Lossy
 Advantages /
Disadvantages Lossless
Compression

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
.avi
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
.mp4
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
.3gp
Digital Video Formats

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
 Advantage /
Disadvantages Download
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
Progressive
Download
 Advantage /
Disadvantages Streaming
Streaming Methods

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
Data Transfer Rate

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
File Size

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
Aspect Ratio

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
Flash Player
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
Windows Media
Player
 Advantage /
Disadvantages –
QuickTime
Media Players

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 Definition
 How It’s Used
 Advantage /
Disadvantages
Digital Rights
Management Systems

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Short films are usually
seen as small budget
amateur films lasting
only a few minutes.
Short films can be
made by both
independent film
makers, big budget
studios or even
anybody with a video
camera and YouTube
Account.
Definition

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The Internet - A large portion
of short films are created for
the internet. By definition any
video on the popular media
website YouTube is a short
film.
Cinema – Some short films
are created specifically for the
cinema by film makers. This
has become increasingly
popular by animated film
creators. However other
creators tailor their films
specifically for short film
festivals, please see that page
for details.
Platforms of Delivery

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There is a large
following for short
films throughout the
world.
Just like with feature
length films, there are
a series of film
festivals for those who
make short films. One
of the biggest of which
is in Cannes.
Short Film Festivals

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Address is Approximate

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Presentations –
Presentations are a key
part of promotional
videos. They can
easily be used by
management within a
company to cheaply
and quickly put
together a talk for
employees or students.
Platforms of Delivery

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Shift Happens Video

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Film Trailers are
defined simply as a
video that advertises
an upcoming movie
using footage from the
film.
Definition

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The Internet – The internet has become a growing
force for promotion over the last few years. As
such more and more film trailers have been
appearing online on website such as YouTube.
This is a very cheap way to broadcast a fil trailer
because you rarely have to pay to put them online.
However there is always the chance people will
skip past them. Not only is the internet
cheap, people are more likely to share the trailers
they like with their friends thus reaching a much
bigger audience.
TV –The TV provides a captured audience for film
makers to show case their trailer to and therefore
they choose TV to entice people to go see the film.
However TV is an expensive platform to advertise
on and so there are always only a small number of
showings on TV for each film
Cinema – The cinema is still the most well known
place for people to see film trailers. They are
usually shown before a movie starts to wet viewers
appetite and get them to go to the showing of that
film later on.
DVD, CD, Blu-Ray – All of these are also usually
likely to contain film trailers, this is especially the
case for DVD’s where just like in Cinemas there
are trailers for upcoming films. Once
released, these trailers never change which is good
because it will always direct viewers to watch
those film.
Platforms of Delivery

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User-Generated
Content (Web 2.0) –
Web 2.0 is simply
defined as content that
a user of the internet
can make and upload
themselves.
Definition

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The Internet – The internet is the
main source of Web 2.0, more
specifically websites such as
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter have
been the driving force behind it. The
reason for this is that they actively
encourage users to upload as much of
their own content as they can.
Mobile Devices – Mobile devices are
also leading the way for Web 2.0.
The reason is that current gen
smartphones are linked to the internet
meaning that users can watch, create
and play content that they or others
created. With the use of smartphones
it even allows for users to create and
play their own games.
Platforms of Delivery

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Web 2.0

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Viral Marketing –
Viral Marketing is a
technique where the
marketing is done
through word of mouth
or by sharing of the
advert by consumers.
Definition

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The Internet – The internet is
the main source of viral
marketing. Typically a company
will release a video, image or
sound onto the internet either on
it’s own dedicated website or on
a social networking site such as
Facebook or Youtube and let
consumers share it with their
friends.
Mobile Devices – Mobile
devices are also part of this
phenomenon because they have
access to the internet therefore
allowing the owners to access
the marketing. They also allow
the owner to take a photo and
share it if the viral marketing is
in the form of something
physical like a flashmob.
Platforms of Delivery

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This is a brilliant
example of viral
marketing. Coca Cola
releases a version of
this advert every
winter and it always
spreads like wildfire
through the power of
social networking.
Coca Cola Christmas
Advert

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This is an example of
another viral
marketing campaign.
For this T-Mobile paid
dancers to create a
flashmob in a busy
train station and start
dancing. Several
people joined in and it
was recorded by others
who posted it online
T-Mobile Flash Mob

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Advertising –
Advertising can be
defined as a method of
showing off a product
in such a way that the
consumer wants to buy
it.
Definition

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•
The Internet – The internet has become a growing force for promotion over the last few years. As such more and more adverts
have been appearing online on website such as YouTube at the start of other videos. This is a very cheap way to advertise a
product to customers. Not only this but advertisers can pay websites to target their adverts at the correct audience such as
females in a certain location. Google for example will target advertising for what you like to look at on other websites. The
internet is a cheap method of advertising.
•
TV –The TV provides a captured audience for companies to showcase their products or services. However TV is an expensive
platform to advertise on and therefore it is important that adverts are targeted and played at specific times when the best match
to their target audience is watching. Such as middle aged women at half 7 when they want to watch Coronation Street.
•
Cinema – Cinemas tend to have advertisements on before a film. I suspect a cinema to be a cheaper place to advertise in
comparison to the TV as the audience is smaller though they are just as well caught.
•
DVD, CD, Blu-Ray – All of these are also usually likely to contain film trailers which are a form of advertising, this is
especially the case for DVD’s where just like in Cinemas there are trailers for upcoming films. Once released, these trailers
never change which is good because it will always direct viewers to watch those film.
•
Mobile Devices – Mobiles have long been a target for advertisers. More specifically they tend to advertise on apps that users
download. This is a cheap method of advertising that captures an increasingly young and impressionably audience.
•
Kiosks – In technological countries such as japan, interactive advertising has appeared on kiosks where they sense who is
coming near and attempt to show an advert likely to attract you. For example in some clothes shops there are interactive
mirrors that show what customers would look like in certain clothes. Effectively advertising to customers from even the most
intimate places as a changing room.
Platforms for Delivery

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Interactive Advert on a Bus
Shelter

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Virtual Reality Tours –
These, usually
online, tours allow
users to look around a
location without
actually visiting.
Definition

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The Internet – The internet tends to
be the most common place for virtual
reality tours. The most commonly
used of which is Google Streetview
where users can walk around a street
almost anywhere in the world.
Housing companies also tend to use
this interactive feature to show off
the insides of houses.
It’s done through the stitching
together of large panoramic photos to
create a 360 degree view.
Mobile Devices – Most smartphones
have access to these websites or
indeed their own apps which allow
them to access this content.
Platforms of Delivery

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Google Streetview – New York

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Games – A game is
defined as an activity
that a person
undertakes for fun.
Definition

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The Internet – Certain games can be found an
played online. These games tend to be free and
small.
Mobile Devices – Mobile devices have come a
long way in recent years but have had games on
them for years. They started out as small games
like those usually found online. However since
the invention of smartphones have blossomed to
become a big business of interactive media with
literally thousands of different games available
to users. These games range from 2D platform
games such as Mario to massive 3D
metropolises like GTA San Andreas which is
available on mobile devices.
DVD, Blu-Ray – These are what most people
think of when somebody says games. Games on
disks are usually played by either PC’s or
consoles. These games too have expanded in
recent years to become a massive business.
Recent games such as Grand theft Auto V have
given players access to locations the size of real
cities to play with how they like. Games are big
business and are the pinnacle of interactivity.
Platforms of Delivery

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Grand Theft Auto 5 Trailer

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E-Learning – The
definition of this is
described as the act of
learning something via
the internet
Definition

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The Internet – The internet
tends to be the main place that
E-Learning takes place. People
can sign up for and take online
classes with the
OpenUniversity. Other places of
E-Learning include YouTube
where users can teach each
other about things such as
cooking. One user might create
and share a video where they
take viewers how to cook a
meal.
Mobile Devices – Mobile
Devices link in heavily with the
internet here as they allow users
to access E-Learning sites on
the move meaning that in theory
it can take place
anywhere, anywhen.
Platforms of Delivery

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Stuffed French Toast ELearning

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Digital Video Capture
– Is the method of
transferring a video
from recording device
to the computer.
Definition

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• The process of capturing digital media from a camera can happen in any of a
small number of ways:
• Firewire / cabled capture – One of the easiest ways to capture media is to connect
the device to the computer via a cable and transfer it that way. This is either done
through software provided with the camera at purchase or through accessing it’s
memory through the computer and copying the files across. Suitable for those
wanting fast downloads to computer.
• WIFI – An increasingly popular way to get content off a camera is via WIFI or
even in some cases an inbuilt 3G option. This usually uploads the content to a
remote server such as Dropbox for the user to access later. This is suitable for
those on holiday and allows the user to delete the data off the camera as soon as
it’s uploaded.
• Memory Card – Certain cameras will take memory cards such as SD Cards and
will save the data onto those which can be removed and inserted into a computer
to download the data off. Suitable for use at events where you constantly need to
be recording but don’t have enough space on a single card.
How It’s Used

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Inbuilt software makes
transfer easier
• Usually faster than other
methods
• Camera is unusable while
plugged in
• Cables can be lost
• Have to actually be at the
computer to use
Advantages /
Disadvantages - Cable

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Can be done anywhere there
is an internet connection
• Somewhat secure
• Don’t have to be anywhere
near the PC
• Data in the cloud is safe
even if something happens
to camera
• Requires an account
online
• If used a lot may incur
costs for the required
amount of storage
Advantages /
Disadvantages - WIFI

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Can hot-swap the cards
allowing for continued
recording even while one
card is being downloaded
• Can download the data
off a card then erase it to
gain more space
• Cards can be lost
• Cards can become
damaged
• Need to be at a computer
to download contents of
card.
• Cards have small
capacity.
Advantages / Disadvantages
– Memory Card

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Compression – This is
what is done to make
file sizes smaller in the
conversion process.
Definition

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Compression comes in two distinct types. Lossy and Lossless.
• Lossy – This is where the compression of a file makes it smaller
through the removal of data. The sections it removes are small
enough not to be too noticeable, depending on the file type. This type
of compression is usually used for anything that will be put online.
This is because a smaller file downloads and streams much quicker
than a larger one and as such a lossy compression is needed at the
loss of some quality
• Lossless – This is where the file is compressed but without the loss of
anything from the file. These files are usually bigger as a result but
however do tend to be much better quality. These are usually used in
cases where file size isn’t too much of an issue but quality is. Such as
on DVD’s or Blu-Rays.
How It’s Used

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Much better quality
• Bigger file size
• Will take longer to
download or stream
Advantages /
Disadvantages - Lossless

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Small file size
• Easier to stream or
download online
• Quality suffers as a reuslt
Advantages /
Disadvantages - Lossy

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Digital Video Formats
– The format of a
video defines what
player will be able to
play it and how good
the quality will be.
Definition

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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
.mpg – An ageing video format designed to compress VHS-quality video down using a
Lossy compression method.
.mp4 – A common video format often used on the internet to stream video and audio. Often
uses a Lossy compression method.
.mov – A video format used by Apples Quicktime player. Usually considered as a Lossless
format.
.avi – A windows based video format used quite often nowadays. Provides decent quality
video and audio
.wmv – A windows exclusive format used by it’s Windows Media Player. Originlly designed
for streaming. Offers decent quality compession
.flv – A flash video, this is what files become after being exported from Adobe Flash. This is
the internet standard for videos.
.swf – Another Adobe Flash format, these files can contain animation or moving objects and
are often used within apps. Offers lossy compression
.3gp – A mobile format, this uses lossy compression to make files as small as possible for
mobiles.
.asf – A format designed for streaming media over the internet. .asf files can also contain
metadata for details about the video for use during streaming.
How It’s Used

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Good quality
• Reliably used across all
systems
• Larger file sizes mean
longer downloads
Advantages /
Disadvantages - .avi

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Decent quality
• Good for streaming
• Small file sizes
Advantages /
Disadvantages .mp4

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Good for use on phones
that don’t have 3G
• Very small file sizes
• Loss of quality.
Advantages /
Disadvantages .3gp

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Streaming is where
something is
downloaded from the
internet.
Definition

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•
•
•
Downloading –
Downloading is where a
file has to be downloaded
completely before it can
be accessed.
Progressive Downloading
– This is where the user
can access and view the
file while it’s
downloading.
Steaming – Streaming is
virtually the same as
Progressive
download, the user can
view the file as it
downloads, except the file
doesn’t actually
download. This is
generally used for online
video sites such as
YouTube.
How It’s Used

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Usually faster than the
other two methods.
• The file can be accessed
any time after initial
download.
• File cannot be accessed
while downloading
• File only downloads as
fast as the users internet
connection
Advantages /
Disadvantages - Download

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Can view file while it
downloads.
• Download speed depends
on users connection
• Can only view as much as
has downloaded.
Advantages / Disadvantages
– Progressive Download

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Tends to be faster to
buffer than to download
the full file.
• File buffers as you watch
it meaning less
interruption
• Don’t actually get file.
Advantages /
Disadvantages - Streaming

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The data transfer rate
is used to measure
how fast data is
transferred from one
location to another.
Definition

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When you download
things off the internet, the
item is downloaded at a
certain speed. Speeds are
measured in a scale known
as ‘Bits Per Second’ (bps).
What’s the scale:
1000 bits = 1 kilobit
1000 kilobits = 1 megabit
1000 megabits = 1 gigabit
(All are measured as per
second)
How It’s Used

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File Size – The file
size is how big the
overall file is. Usually
in MB or GB
Definition

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The size of a file
defines many factors.
Firstly a smaller file
usually means lower
quality content
because it needs to fit
into a smaller package.
However, bigger files
take longer to
download / copy.
Therefore a balance is
needed.
How It’s Used

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Aspect Ratio – The
definition of this is
described as the width
and height of a video.
Definition

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Aspect ratio is the
relationship between the
height and width of the
video.
It is usually expressed as
two sets of numbers
separated with a colon.
Such as (8:5).
It used to be used to
describe the size of a
video feed. However
nowadays it has fallen
out of use due to modern
TV’s and films all being
made to roughly the same
aspect ratio.
How It’s Used

78. Media Players – Media
Players are defined as
the program or app
that plays the media
Definition

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The most common media players are
below.
•
•
•
Flash Player – This player
created by Adobe runs in
browsers meaning that video
can be played within the
browser itself and not need
another player to run.
Windows Media Player – This
is the player designed by
Microsoft to be the Windows
based video player. It runs all
major formats, however has in
recent years been overshadowed
by other players depending on
what the user has installed.
QuickTime Player – This is the
Apple standard media player. It
works exactly the same as the
Windows one except it is
optimized for Apple Products.
How It’s Used

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Works in browser
• Works on all platforms
• Works with many types
of files
• Less secure than the
system own ones
• Needs regular updates
Advantages / Disadvantages
– Flash Player

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Pre-installed on windows
machines
• Opens virtually any file
format
• Doesn’t work well with
browsers other than
Internet Explorer.
• Clunky and annoying on
occasion
Advantages / Disadvantages
– Windows Media Player

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Pre-installed on Apple
machines
• Easy to use
• Plays nearly any file
format
• Optimised for only Apple
products.
• Unstable on other
Operating Systems
Advantages / Disadvantages
– QuickTime Player

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Digital Rights
Management (DRM) –
DRM is designed to
stop people copying
media and sharing.
Definition

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DRM is used in several ways
for different media type. DVD’s
tend to just lock the contents of
the disk making it near
impossible to copy the disks.
For games however the content
can be locked in that way or
through the use of locking
features within the games and
forcing users to use single use
codes within the games making
sale of the games pointless.
Companies are finding other,
less invasive ways to have
DRM. A games company called
Valve sets the DRM as it’s
games program locking the
games to an individuals account.
Meaning that the user doesn’t
notice the DRM and making it
less intrusive.
How It’s Used

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Advantages
Disadvantages
• Stops pirates copying the
media
• Allegedly saves the
production companies
money
• Users consider it invasive
and patronising
• Massively unpopular.
• Doesn’t really stop
pirating of media
Advantages /
Disadvantages - DRM