This document provides an introduction to multimedia, including definitions, components, characteristics, applications, hardware/software requirements, and advantages/disadvantages. Multimedia is defined as the representation of information using a combination of text, audio, images, video, and animations in an interactive digital format. The main components of multimedia include text, graphics, audio, video, and animations. Characteristics include the use of multiple media types, non-linear navigation, interactivity, and digital representation. Common applications include education, presentations, and documentaries.

1. MULTIMEDIA
INTRODUCTION TO MULTIMEDIA

2. Introduction
• Multimedia is an interactive media and provides multiple ways to represent information to the
user in a powerful manner.
• It provides an interaction between users and digital information.
• It is a medium of communication.Some of the sectors where multimedias is used extensively are
education, training, reference material, business presentations, advertising and documentaries.
Definition of Multimedia
• By definition Multimedia is a representation of information in an attractive and interactive
manner with the use of a combination of text, audio, video, graphics and animation.
• In other words we can say that Multimedia is a computerized method of presenting information
combining textual data, audio, visuals (video), graphics and animations. For examples: E-Mail,
Yahoo Messenger, Video Conferencing, and Multimedia Message Service (MMS).

3. Cont...
• The word multimedia comes from the Latin words “multus” which means “numerous” and
“media” which means “middle” or “centre”.
• Multimedia therefore means multiple intermediaries or multiple means.
Components of Multimedia
• Text- All multimedia productions contain some amount of text. The text can have various types of
fonts and sizes to suit the profession presentation of the multimedia software.
• Graphics- Graphics make the multimedia application attractive. In many cases people do not like
reading large amount of textual matter on the screen. Therefore, graphics are used more often than
text to explain a concept, present background information etc.

4. Cont...
• There are two types of Graphics:
Bitmap images
Vector Graphics
Bitmap images- Bitmap images are real images that can be captured from devices such as digital
cameras or scanners. Generally bitmap images are not editable. Bitmap images require a large amount of
memory.
Vector Graphics- Vector graphics are drawn on the computer and only require a small amount of
memory. These graphics are editable.
• Audio- A multimedia application may require the use of speech, music and sound effects. These are
called audio or sound element of multimedia.Speech is also a perfect way for teaching. Audio are of
analog and digital types. Analog audio or sound refers to the original sound signal. Computer stores the
sound in digital form. Therefore, the sound used in multimedia application is digital audio.

5. Cont...
• Video- The term video refers to the moving picture, accompanied by sound such as a picture in
television.
• Video element of multimedia application gives a lot of information in small duration of time.
• Digital video is useful in multimedia application for showing real life objects. Video have highest
performance demand on the computer memory and on the bandwidth if placed on the internet.
• Digital video files can be stored like any other files in the computer and the quality of the video
can still be maintained. T
• he digital video files can be transferred within a computer network.
• The digital video clips can be edited easily.
• Animation- Animation is a process of making a static image look like it is moving. An animation
is just a continuous series of still images that are displayed in a sequence.

6. Cont...
• The animation can be used effectively for attracting attention. Animation also makes a
presentation light and attractive. Animation is very popular in multimedia application
Characteristics of Multimedia
• A multimedia system has four basic characteristics:
 multimedia system must be computer controlled.
 multimedia system are integrated.
 The information they handle must be represented digitally.
 The interface to the final presentation of media is usually interactive.

7. Multimedia Application
• Multimedia system tool or application are the tool used to create multimedia data or
information.
Digital Audio Tool
• Digital audio tools deal with accessing and editing the actual sampled sounds that make up audio.
• Adobe audition, sound forge, pro tools...etec are tools for this categories.
Graphics and Image Editing
• This tool is used to manipulate graphics of different shape and image for web and deferent
applications.
• Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Freehand are on those categories.

8. Cont...
Video Editing
• This tool allows user to edit with rich selection features and applying deferent effect in order to
make attractive video.
• Adobe Premier, Cyberlink PowerDirector, Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro...etc
CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS
Multiple media
Non-linearity
Scope of Interactivity
Integrity
Digital representation

9. Cont...
MULTIPLE MEDIA:
• Multiple Media may be described as transmission media using more than one type of transmission
path (e.g., optical fiber, radio, and copper wire) to deliver information. In addition to text, pictures
are also started being used to communicate ideas.
NON-LINEARITY
• Non-Linearity is the capability of jumping or navigating from within a presentation with one point
without appreciable delay. Traditionally, TV shows and motion pictures are considered linear
presentation because the user or viewer has to watch the information being prescribed. The user
cannot modify the content.
• A non-linear experience by choosing scenes and going forward and backward

10. Cont...
• In a multimedia presentation the user can instantly navigate to different parts of the presentation
and display the frames in any way, without appreciable delay.
• Linear active content progresses often without any navigational control for the viewer such as a
cinema presentation.
• Non-linear uses interactivity to control progress as with a video game or self-paced computer
based training. Hypermedia is an example of non-linear content.
SCOPE OF INTERACTIVITY:
• Interactive media works with the user's participation. The media still has the same purpose but the
user's input adds the interaction and brings interesting features to the system for a better
enjoyment.

11. Cont...
INTEGRITY:
• Integrated or be part of a single entity which is the presentation. It should not be able to separate
out the various media and control them independently; rather they should be controlled from
within the frame work of the presentation. Moreover, the presentation should decide how the
individual elements can be controlled.
DIGITAL REPRESENTATION:
• Digital representations has other advantages, software based programs can be used to edit the
digitized media in various ways to appearances and compress the file sizes to increase the
performance efficiency.

12. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
• Hardware and software requirements of a multimedia personal computer can be classified into 2
classes.
They are:
A. Multimedia playback [usually requires lesser amount of resources for viewing an existing
presentation]
B. Multimedia production [generally requires greater and more powerful resources fulfilling
designing requirements]
Multimedia playback:
• Processor – At least Pentium class and minimum of 512 MB RAM-to-4GB RAM.
• Hard disk drive [HDD] – At least 40GB having 15M/s. access time.
• The monitor and video display adapter - should confirm through SVGA standards and support
800x600 display modes with true color.

13. Cont...
• CD-ROM drives having a speed of at least 4X but highest speed like 36X are recommended.
• PC should have a sound card with attached speakers standard 101 keys keyboard and mouse.
• Multimedia PC system software should be compatible with Windows XP or higher, with
standard software with playback of media files in standard formats. E.G. Windows Media Player,
Apple QuickTime Player, etc.
Multimedia production
• Processor - Pentium IV or higher, memory should be at least 2GB RAM-to-8GB RAM.
• Hard disk drive [HDD] – Typical requirements would be around 80GB with 540GB
recommended.
• The monitor and video display adapter should confirm through SVGA standards and should be
able to support 800x600 display mode with true color, RAM should be 4MB to 8MB.

14. Cont...
• CD-ROM drive having a speed of at least 4X to 36X, PC should have a CD/DVD writer.
• PC should have a sound card with attached speakers standard 101 keys keyboard and mouse.
• Multimedia PC system software should be compatible with windows or higher, with standard
software with playback of media files in standard formats. E.G. Windows Media Player, Apple
QuickTime Player, etc.
• Editing software is used to manipulate media components to suit the developers, requirements.
[E.G.] Adobe Photoshop, Flash, Cool Edit, and sound Forge.
• Authoring softwares are used to integrate all the edited media into single presentations and build
navigational pathways for accessing the media.
• To display the web content web browsers will be required. [E.G.] Mozilla Firefox, MS Internet
Explorer, to create web content HTML, and JavaScript editors might be required [E.G.]
Macromedia, Dream Weaver, etc..

15. Advantages of using Multimedia
• It is very user-friendly. It doesn’t take much energy out of the user, in the sense that you can sit
and watch the presentation, you can read the text and hear the audio.
• It is multi sensorial. It uses a lot of the user’s senses while making use of multimedia, for example
hearing, seeing and talking.
• It is integrated and interactive. All the different mediums are integrated through the digitisation
process. Interactivity is heightened by the possibility of easy feedback.
• It is flexible. Being digital, this media can easily be changed to fit different situations and
audiences.
• It can be used for a wide variety of audiences, ranging from one person to a whole group.

16. Disadvantages of using Multimedia
• It can be expensive. As mentioned in one of my previous posts, multimedia makes use of a wide
range of resources, which can cost you a large amount of money.
• Too much makes it unpractical. Large files like video and audio has an effect of the time it takes
for your presentation to load. Adding too much can mean that you have to use a larger computer
to store the files.