Introduction to Multimedia

Multimedia refers to content that uses a combination of different content forms. This contrasts with media that use only rudimentary computer displays such as text-only or traditional forms of printed or hand-produced material. Multimedia includes a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video, or interactivity content forms. Multimedia is usually recorded and played, displayed, or accessed by information content processing devices, such as computerized and electronic devices, but can also be part of a live performance. Multimedia devices are electronic media devices used to store and experience multimedia content. Multimedia is distinguished from mixed media in fine art; by including audio, for example, it has a broader scope. The term “rich media” is synonymous for interactive multimedia. Hypermedia can be considered one particular multimedia application.

What is Multimedia?

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”.

Multimedia is a combination of following elements:

• Text [E.G. books, letters, newspapers]
• Images and graphics [E.G. photographs, charts, maps, logos, sketches]
• Sound [E.G. radio, gramophone records and audio cassettes]
• Video and animation [E.G. TV, video cassettes and motion pictures]

Characteristics of Multimedia Presentations

• Multiple Media
• Non-Linearity
• Scope of Interactivity
• Integrity
• Digital Representation

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.

Pictures are sub-divided into two types:

1. A real-world picture captured by a camera is called images.
2. A hand-drawn picture like sketches, diagrams and portraits called graphics.

Text, images and graphics are together referred to as static elements, because they do not change overtime. With further improve in technology, time varying elements like sound and movies were used. Movies are again divided into two classes.

Legitimate multimedia presentation should contain at least one static media like text, images or graphics and at least one time varying media like audio, video or animation.

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. Note that the difference between linear and non-linear is blurring as time goes by. Now the DVD format allows you to have a non-linear experience by choosing scenes and going forward and backward.

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, due to which it is called a nonlinear presentation.

Non-linear content offers user interactivity to control progress as used with a computer game or used in self-paced computer based training. Hypermedia is an example of non-linear content.

Scope of Interactivity

In a non-linear presentation user will have to specify the desire to watch the presentation. The presentation should be capable of user inputs and capable of change the content of the presentation. Interactivity is considered to be one of salient features on which next generation e-learning tools are expected to reply for greater effectively.

The term ―rich media‖ is synonymous for interactive multimedia. 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.

Interactive media is helpful in these four development dimensions in which young children learn: social and emotional, language development, cognitive and general knowledge, and approaches toward learning. Using computers and educational computer software in a learning environment helps children increase communication skills and their attitudes about learning.

Interactive media makes technology more intuitive to use. Interactive products such as smartphones, iPad’s/iPod’s, interactive whiteboards and websites are all easy to use. The easy usage of these products encourages consumers to experiment with their products rather than reading instruction manuals.

Interactive Media can be implemented in a wide variety of platforms and applications encompassing virtually all areas of technology. Some examples include mobile platforms such as touch screen smartphones and tablets, was well as other interactive mediums that are created exclusively to solve a unique problem or set of problems. Interactive media is not limited to a certain field of IT, it instead encompasses any technology that supplies for movie parts or feedback based on the users actions. This can include JavaScript and AJAX utilization in web pages, but can further be extended to any programming languages that share the same or similar functionality.

Scope of interactive media continues to advance today; with the advent of more and more powerful machines the limit to what can be input and manipulated on a display in real time is become virtually non-existent.

Integrity

An important characteristic of a multimedia presentation is integrity. This means that although there may be several media types present and playing simultaneously, they need to be 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

Magnetic tapes are called the sequential access storage devices [i.e.] data is recorded sequentially along the length of the tape. When a specific potion of the data is required to be played back, the portion before that needs to be skipped. Multimedia requires instant access to different portion of the presentation. This is done by random access storage devices like hardware, floppy disks, and compact disks.

Digital multimedia is represented by a discrete set of values defined at specific instances of the input domain (time/space or both). For example, Digital sound – finite series of instantaneous pulses which are measured at distinct interval of time

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.

Defining The Scope of Multimedia

Today, much of the media content we consume is available in a variety of formats, intended to serve multiple purposes and audiences. For example, a book usually starts out as a print-only product. However, if the market demand is large enough, it may also be published in a spoken-word format and delivered via compact disc or MP3. With the right equipment, you can avoid paper altogether by downloading the e-book, a digital version of the text designed for reading on a computer screen or a handheld device such as the Kindle or iPad.

The website for a bestseller may offer bonus material or value-added content to online users through a gamut of multimedia channels—featuring audio excerpts, video interviews, background stories, pictures, and more. With such a vast sea of information and social networking potential, you can easily imagine many of the other possibilities that exist.

The opportunities for shaping content to meet the diverse needs and habits of different user groups are numerous, and they are changing rapidly, as the culture of multimedia continues to grow and permeate nearly every aspect of our personal and professional lives.

Multimedia Concept

Multimedia refers to the combination and integration of different media formats, like text, audio, video, graphics, and animation, to create an engaging and interactive experience. It’s a way of presenting information using multiple senses, making the content more dynamic and memorable. 

Key aspects of multimedia:

• Integration: Multimedia combines different media types to create a cohesive and richer experience. 
• Interactive: It often allows users to interact with the content, such as clicking on links, navigating through different sections, or playing interactive games. 
• Engaging: Multimedia uses various forms of communication to capture and hold the audience’s attention. 
• Versatile: It can be used in a wide range of applications, from education and entertainment to business and marketing. 
• Digital: Most multimedia content is created and delivered in a digital format. 

Examples:

Include video conferencing, online presentations, interactive games, and digital storytelling. 

Elements of multimedia:

• Text: Written words, descriptions, and instructions.
• Audio: Sound effects, music, and voice narration.
• Video: Moving images and animations.
• Graphics: Images, illustrations, and charts.
• Animation: Moving visuals and interactive elements.