Understanding Multimedia

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Lecture Outline
• Definition
• Multimedia Building Block
• Types of Multimedia Presentation
• Multimedia in software
• Delivery of Multimedia
• Applications of Multimedia

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
What is Multimedia
• Multimedia = Multi + media
• Multi = many
• Media = medium or means by which
information is stored, transmitted, presented
or perceived.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
What is Multimedia
• By simple definition: Multimedia can be any
combination of text, graphics, sound,
animation and video, to effectively
communicate ideas to users.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
What is Multimedia : Definition 1

“Multimedia is any combination of text,

graphic art, sound, animation and video
delivered to you by computer or other
electronic means.”
Tay Vaughan
Multimedia : Making it work 5th Ed.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
What is Multimedia : Definition 2

“Multimedia is the presentation of a (usually

interactive) computer application,
incorporating media elements such as text,
graphics, video, animation and sound on
computer.”
Stephen McGloughin
Multimedia: Concepts & practice

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Multimedia Building Block

• Text
• Image
• Sound
• Animation
• Video

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Types of Multimedia Presentation

• Linear Multimedia
– Users have very little control over the presentation

• Interactive Multimedia
– Users dictate the flow of delivery.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Linear Multimedia
– The users sit back and watches the
presentation
– The presentation normally plays from the
start to end or even loops continually to
present the information.
– A movie is a common type of linear
multimedia

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Interactive Multimedia
– The users control the delivery of elements – to control
the what and when.
– Users have the ability to move around or follow different
path through the information presentation.
– Advantage: complex domain of information can be
presented.
– Disadvantage: users might lost in the massive
“information highway”.
– Useful for: information archive (encyclopedia), education,
training and entertainment.
CMPD273 Multimedia System
Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Why integrate multimedia in software?
• Ease of use
• Self-Paced Interaction and Better Retention
• Better understanding of the content
• Cost effective
• Fun = Greater Efficiency

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
 Ease of use
• Through Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Intuitive + easy to use  Increase productivity

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Self-paced interaction, better retention
• Self-paced learning of information
– Ability to process information at one’s own pace

• Better knowledge / information retention

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Better understanding
• Multimedia can be used to illustrate complex
information in an easier way.
• Concurrent presentation of text, images,
animation, video and sound complement
each other to provide richer and broader
range of information

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Cost effective
• No need for in-depth training manual
• Less technical support cost
• If the users enjoy the software, they are more
likely to upgrade to the next versions or
purchase more product from that company.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Fun = Greater Efficiency
• Multimedia enhanced software is fun to use
• Increase user’s efficiency in completing /
achieving the task’s goal.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Delivery of Multimedia
• Online
 Downloadable over the network.
+ Offers live/real time multimedia content
+ Easy retrieval of updated information
- restricted by bandwidth and connection speed

• Offline
 CD-ROM / DVD
+ Portable
- users need to buy the product new version for updates.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Applications of Multimedia
• Business
• Education
• Entertainment
• Medical
• Public places
• Etc…

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Business
• Presentation
• Training
– Simulation
– Animation
• Marketing / advertisement
• Audio Video conferencing / teleconferencing
• E-commerce
– Virtual store

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Education
• Training
– Simulation
– Animation
• Courseware
• Information archive / electronic book

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Entertainment
• Games
• Movie / video on demand
• 3D cartoon animation
• Visual effect / sound effect
• Virtual reality

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Medical
• Telemedicine
• Virtual surgery
• Micro surgery
• MRI
– Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging
technique used primarily in medical settings to
produce high quality images of the inside of the
human body.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Public places
• Information kiosk
• Electronic billboard

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Etc…
• Forensic multimedia
• Visualisation
– is where graphics and animation are used as a mean of
presenting complex data.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002
Terminologies…
• Multimedia presentation / product is created by
multimedia developer.
• The shipped or delivered product is a multimedia
title.
• Developers create multimedia content using
authoring tools.

CMPD273 Multimedia System

Prepared by Nazrita Ibrahim © UNITEN2002