Unit 1 – Introduction to Multimedia

1. Unit1 –Introduction to Multimedia 2013-14 Semester 1

2. Unit Outline • In this unit, we will learn • What is Multimedia? • Multimedia Elements • Interactivity • Web-based Multimedia • Hypermedia • Benefits of Multimedia • Multimedia Applications • E-commerce • Training and Distance Learning • Research and Reference • Entertainment and Games • Medical Applications • Engineering Applications

3. What is Multimedia? • Multimedia comes from the Latin words multus and media. • multus means numerous • media means middle or center • More recently, media has the meaning intermediary. • Multimedia, thus in general, means multiple intermediaries between the source and sink of information or multiple means by which information is stored, transmitted, presented or perceived. 3

4. What is Multimedia? • Multimedia elements include: • Text • Graphics • Sound • Animation • Video • Multimedia refers to the use of more than one media element. • Multimedia is not really new. • Multimedia makes content accessible, interactive, and fun. 4

5. Interactivity • Interactive multimedia enables user to control what and when the elements are delivered. • Interactive multimedia refers to the multimedia applications that allow users to become active participants rather than passive recipients of information. • People remember: • 20 percent of what they see • 30 percent of what they hear • 50 percent when they see and hear it • 80 percent when they see it, hear it, and interact with it

6. Interactivity Self-Study Slide Interactivity gives the user some control over the content.

7. Web-based Multimedia • The Web is an effective way to present information. • Web browsers make information easily accessible. • Examples of web browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari 7

8. Web-based Multimedia Self-Study Slide Usage share of web browsers from Aug 2012 to Aug 2013 8

9. Web-based Multimedia Self-Study Slide Trend in browser usage. 9

10. Web-based Multimedia • Web-based multimedia: • is an interactive experience • incorporates more than one media element • Web-based multimedia has exploded over the past few years due to increased computer processing power and technology advancements. 10

11. Hypermedia • Hypermedia refers to a multimedia system in which related items of information are connected and can be presented together. • Hypermedia is a non-linear(1) approach to multimedia, as users are given control through the provision of different links to a variety of information. (1) “non-linear approach’’ will be introduced in Unit 2. 11

12. Hypermedia • Hypermedia can be considered as a web of interrelated information in which the user is in complete control of the pace and sequence, and to a certain extent, the choice of content of the presentation. 12

13. Digitizing • Integration of text, graphics, animation, sound and video is accomplished by digitizing different media elements and manipulating them with computer software. Digitized media elements have been converted to code that can be interpreted by the computer.

14. Benefits of Multimedia • Addresses multiple learning styles • Conveys content in an excellent way • Uses a variety of media elements to reinforce one idea • Activates multiple senses creating rich experiences • Gives life to flat information • Enhances user enjoyment • Improves retention • Enables users to control experience

15. Multimedia Applications • E-commerce • Training and Distance Learning • Research and Reference • Entertainment and Games • Medical Applications • Engineering Applications

16. E-commerce • Uses the Web to serve clients and customers • Provides solutions for companies, small or large, to sell products or services online • Is able to offer virtual catalogs • At time of checkout, information is securely transmitted.

17. E-commerce The ability to buy products and services online has changed the way consumers shop.

18. E-commerce • Advantages: • Expands customer base • Opens 24 hours/day, 7 days/week • Overhead has been reduced. Company can operate without a traditional storefront. • Companies use technology to streamline business, increase efficiency, and improve sales; Multimedia elements are much more likely to grab attention than text alone.

19. Training and Distance Learning • There are many options for delivering and receiving education over a distance. • Distance learning enables students (of higher education) to take courses and complete certificates/degrees online. • Workers can be trained and retrained effectively and efficiently via multimedia applications delivered on CD-ROM / DVD-ROM or over the Web.

20. Training and Distance Learning • Advantages: • Freedom of location • Open entry/open exit • Self-paced instruction • Immediate feedback / assessment • Simulated experiences and varied learning environments

21. Research and Reference • Newsletters, newspapers, magazines, books, encyclopedias, and other reference materials are offered online via the Web. • The materials online often represent electronic versions of existing materials. • The challenge to the developers is to make it easy for the user to find the desired information, as well as to use other multimedia elements such as sound, video, and animation to enhance the user experience effectively.

22. Research and Reference • Advantages to offering reference materials in a Web-based format: • Cross-referencing • Expanded searchcapabilities • Multi-sensoryexperiences The NASA web site offers users a wealth of information.

23. Entertainment and Games • Multimedia makes a significant impact in game and entertainment. • Some games web sites offer multilevel, multiplayer entertainment. • Some web sites are designed to educate as well as entertain. This form of entertainment is known as edutainment.

24. Medical Applications • Multimedia technologies can be used to prepare high-quality magnetic resonance 3D images of human bodies and practice complicated surgical procedures. • Archives of X-ray images, CT scans, ultra-sonography images, etc. will enable doctors to provide better consultations, and could serve as an expert system. Left: MRIRight: CT scan 24

25. Engineering Applications • Multimedia is used extensively in designing mechanical, electrical, electronic and architectural parts through the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) applications. 25 Screen from AutoCAD

26. Reference • Part of this slide set is prepared or/and extracted from the following book: • Multimedia For The Web Revealed, Calleen Coorough & Jim Shuman, Thomson Learning, 2006, ISBN:1-4188-3953-1 • This set of slides is for teaching purpose only. • Self-study slide(s) is / are within the scope of the final examination.