BCT 2207Multimedia

Applications
S.Kiptioo, Computing
Department SCIT
[email protected]
 What is Multimedia?

⚫ Derived from the word “Multi” and “Media”

⚫ Multi
⚫ Many, Multiple,
⚫ Media:
⚫ Tools that are used to represent or process,
delivery medium, a form of mass communication –
newspaper, magazine / tv.
⚫ Distribution tool & information presentation – text,
graphic, voice, images, music and etc.
Components of Multimedia
• Multimedia involves multiple modalities of text, audio,
images, drawings, animation, and video.

Examples of how these modalities are put to use:

1. Video teleconferencing.
2. Distributed lectures for higher education.
3. Tele-medicine.
4. Co-operative work environments.
5. Searching in (very) large video and image databases
for target visual objects.
6. “Augmented” reality: placing real-appearing computer
graphics and video objects into scenes.

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Challenges of Multimedia
Computing
⚫ Developing a successful multimedia
system is challenging.
⚫ Continuous media types such as video need a lot of
space to store and very high bandwidth to transmit.
⚫ They also have tight timing constraints.
⚫ Automatically analyzing, indexing and organizing
information in audio, image and video is much
harder than from text.
⚫ Multimedia involves many different research areas
and needs more complex and more efficient
algorithms and hardware platforms.
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Multimedia is Multidisciplinary
Computer
networks,
operating system

Multimedia Computer vision,

Image, audio, computing pattern recognition
speech
processing

Human computer
interaction Computer
graphics

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What is Multimedia
⚫ It is any combination of text, graphic art,
sound, animation, and video delivered to
you by computer or other electronic means
(iphones, or any smart phone).

⚫ The essence of multimedia is to electrify

the thought and action centres of people’s
mind.

⚫ Multimedia excites eyes, ears, fingertips,

and most importantly, the head.
General Definition

⚫ It is a woven combination of text graphic

art, sound, animation, and video
elements.
concepts

⚫ When you allow an end user – the

viewer of multimedia project – to control
what and when the elements are
delivered it is called interactive media.
⚫ When you provide a structure of linked
elements through which the user can
navigate, interactive multimedia
becomes hypermedia.
Important Note

⚫ People who know how to use multimedia

computer tools and technologies to
weave them together are called
multimedia developers.
⚫ The software vehicle, the messages and
the content presented on a computer or
television screen – together constitute
multimedia project.
Important Note-tools

⚫ Project may be a page or site on the

Web where you can weave the elemnts
of multimedia into html (Hypertext Mark
up Language) DHTML (Dynamic
Hypertext Mark up Language)
documents and use plug-ins like
Macromedia’s Flash, Adobe’s Flash, or
Apple’s Quick Time to display
multimedia using browser such Mozilla
Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Uses of Multimedia

⚫ Multimedia is appropriate whenever a

human interface, connect a human user
to electronic information of any kind.
There are number of uses
⚫ Uses in Business.
⚫ Multimedia in Schools.
⚫ Multimedia in Home.
⚫ Multimedia in Public Places.
⚫ Virtual Reality
Uses in Business

⚫ Business applications for multimedia

include presentations, training,
marketing, advertising, product demos,
databases, catalogues, and networking
communications.
Uses in Business

⚫ Uses in training programs.

⚫ Flight attendants learn to manage
international terrorism and security through
simulation.
⚫ Mechanics learn to repair engine

⚫ Salespeople learn about product lines and

leave behind software to train their
customers.
⚫ Fighter, pilots practice full-terrain sorties
before spoiling up for the real thing.
Multimedia in Schools

⚫ It can be used in schools helping student

to learn.
⚫ An iteresting use of multimedia in
schools involves the student themselves.
⚫ Nowadays students put interactive
magazines and newsletters, streamline
videos, and podcasting (Audio and Video)
through smart phone or Web.
Multimedia in Home

⚫ It is used home in various ways from

gardening to cooking to home design,
remodeling, and repair to genealogy
software.
⚫ Game players machine available in home.
⚫ Internet gaming for home internet users.
Multimedia in Public Places

⚫ Big animated screen are now available in

public to provide information and help to
public.
⚫ Hotels, train, banks, shopping malls,
airports, groceries, e.t.c.
Virtual Reality (VR)

⚫ VR is a new multimedia technology that

attempt to put a person “inside” a lifelike
experiences.
⚫ VR requires a terrific computing power to
be realistic.
⚫ In VR your cyberspace is made up pf
many thousands of geometric objects
plotted in 3D space.
Virtual Reality (VR)

⚫ On the Web, standards for transmitting

virtual reality worlds or scenes in VRML
(Virtual Reality Modeling Language)
documents have been developed.
⚫ By using highly dedicated VR is now used
in building flights by developing first flight
simulators before building actual planes.
⚫ In military plane like F-16 and F-17, Boeing
777.
Virtual Reality
F – 16 Fighter Plane
Example Multimedia Systems

Real Estate in MIT’s Project Athena 20

Example: A Course-on-Demand
System
On-line facilitator

Courseware
developer

Multimedia Network
Database

Database server

user
 A Course-on-Demand System

Authoring Metadata
Tool DB

Integration Software
DB Application
Java Client

Network

Server
User
Interface Media
Server
Example Multimedia Systems

Chronoscope in MIT’s Project Athena

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Example Multimedia Systems

Navigation Learning Environment in MIT’s Project Athena 24

Multimedia Computing

⚫ Multimedia systems involve some basic

enabling techniques:
⚫ Multimedia data representation and compression.

⚫ Multimedia data processing and analysis.

⚫ Transmitting multimedia data through

communication networks.

⚫ Multimedia database, indexing and retrieval.

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 Operational Definition of
Multimedia
⚫ Multimedia is a combination of text,
graphic, sound, animation, and video
that is delivered interactively to the user
by electronic or digitally manipulated
means. GRAPHIC
TEXT

MULTIMEDIA
VIDEO
AUDIO

ANIMATION
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

TEXT
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ A broad term for something that contains words to express

something.
⚫ Text is the most basic element of multimedia.
⚫ A good choice of words could help convey the intended message
to the users (keywords).
⚫ Used in contents, menus, navigational buttons
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

TEXT
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ Example
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

GRAPHIC
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ Two-dimensional figure or illustration

⚫ Could be produced manually (by drawing, painting,
carving, etc.) or by computer graphics technology.
⚫ Used in multimedia to show more clearly what a
particular information is all about (diagrams, picture).
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

GRAPHIC
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ Example
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

AUDIO
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ Produced by vibration, as perceived by the

sense of hearing.
⚫ In multimedia, audio could come in the form of
speech, sound effects and also music score.
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

AUDIO
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ Example
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

ANIMATION
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ The illusion of motion created by the consecutive

display of images of static elements.
⚫ In multimedia, animation is used to further enhance /
enriched the experience of the user to further
understand the information conveyed to them.
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

ANIMATION
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ Example
 Elements of Multimedia
GRAPHIC
TEXT

VIDEO
AUDIO
MULTIMEDIA VIDEO

ANIMATION

⚫ Is the technology of capturing, recording, processing,

transmitting, and reconstructing moving pictures.
⚫ Video is more towards photo realistic image sequence /
live recording as in comparison to animation.
⚫ Video also takes a lot of storage space. So plan carefully
before you are going to use it.
 Interactive Multimedia

⚫ When the user is given the option of

controlling the elements.

Hyper Media
⚫ A combination of hypertext, graphics,
audio, video, (linked elements) and
interactivity culminating in a complete,
non-linear computer-based experience.
 Example

⚫ Interactive Multimedia
 Example

⚫ Hyper Media
Main Page
1. Video link
2. Image link
3. Audio Link
 Linear VS Non-Linear

LINEAR
⚫ A Multimedia Project is identified as Linear when:
⚫ It is not interactive

⚫ User have no control over the content that is being showed to

them.
⚫ Example:
⚫ A movie
⚫ A non-interactive lecture / demo show
 Linear VS Non-Linear

NON-LINEAR
⚫ A Multimedia Project is identified as Non-Linear when:
⚫ It is interactive
⚫ Users have control over the content that is being showed to them.
⚫ Users are given navigational control
⚫ Example:
⚫ Games
⚫ Courseware
⚫ Interactive CD
 Authoring Tools

⚫ Use to merge multimedia elements (text,

audio, graphic, animation, video) into a
project.
⚫ Designed to manage individual multimedia
elements and provide user interaction (if
required).
 Authoring Tools
⚫ Example:
⚫ Macromedia Authorware
⚫ Macromedia Director
⚫ Macromedia Flash
⚫ Microsoft Power Point
Other examples of Multimedia
apps
⚫ There are a number of fields where
multimedia could be of use. Examples
are:-
⚫ Business
⚫ Education
⚫ Entertainment
⚫ Home
⚫ Public Places
 Importance of Multimedia

⚫ Business
⚫ Use and Applications

⚫ Sales / Marketing Presentation

⚫ Trade show production

⚫ Staff Training Application

⚫ Company Kiosk
 Importance of Multimedia

⚫ Education
⚫ Use and Applications

⚫ Courseware / Simulations

⚫ E-Learning / Distance Learning

⚫ Information Searching
 Importance of Multimedia

⚫ Entertainment
⚫ Use and Applications

⚫ Games (Leisure / Educational)

⚫ Movies

⚫ Video on Demand

⚫ Online
 Importance of Multimedia

⚫ Home
⚫ Use and Applications

⚫ Television

⚫ Satellite TV

⚫ SMS services (chats, voting, reality TV)

 Importance of Multimedia

⚫ Public Places
⚫ Use and Applications

⚫ Information Kiosk

⚫ Smart Cards, Security

 Multimedia Products

1. Briefing Products
2. Reference Products
3. Database Products
4. Education and Training Products
5. Kiosk
6. Entertainment and Games
 Multimedia Products

1 Briefing Products
• Small, straightforward, linear products used to present
information quickly and concisely.
• Characteristic of briefing product:
✓ Short Development Cycle
✓ Limited Number of Presentations
✓ Usage of text to present information with limited use of
graphic, audio and video.
✓ Have few navigational controls. (mouse click and button
press to move from one page to another)
✓ Content and the format are suitable for the audience and
fulfill the purpose of the presentation.
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 Multimedia Products

1 Briefing Products
• Good briefing presentation depends on:
✓ The understanding of the presented subject.
✓ Seamless integration of content.
✓ Consistent layout

• Example:
✓ Corporate Presentation
✓ Sales Presentation
✓ Educational Lectures

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Hypermedia and Multimedia
• A hypertext system: meant to be read nonlinearly, by
following links that point to other parts of the document, or
to other documents (Fig. 1.1)

• HyperMedia: not constrained to be text-based, can include

other media, e.g., graphics, images, and especially the
continuous media – sound and video.

- The World Wide Web (WWW) — the best example of a

hypermedia application.

• Multimedia means that computer information can be

represented through audio, graphics, images, video, and
animation in addition to traditional media.

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 Multimedia Products

2 Reference Products
• Often used for answering specific questions or for general browsing of
information. (stored on CD/ DVD ROM)
• Characteristic of reference product:
✓ Used by wide range of user (small – adult)
✓ Have navigational menu, book marking, searching, printing utility

• 2 Basic classes of reference product:

✓ Generalized Content (dictionary/encyclopedia)
❑ Broad treatment of content at a limited depth
✓ Detailed Content
❑ Focus on specific area and provide extensive information.

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 Multimedia Products

2 Reference Products
• Good usability and success depends on:
✓ The developers understanding the body of information and
how the end user will want to access it.
✓ Help function should always available to explain how to
access and use the information
• Examples are electronic forms of:
✓ Encyclopedia
✓ Dictionaries
✓ Cookbooks, Historical, Informative
✓ Scientific surveys.

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 Multimedia Products

2 Reference Products
• Example:

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 Multimedia Products

3 Database Products
• Similar to reference product in a sense that large amount of information
are made available to the end user.
• Focus on storing and accessing the actual data (multimedia data such
as text, graphic, audio, animation and video)

• Characteristics of Database Products are:

✓ Manages multimedia data (large data)
✓ Descriptive finding methods
▪ Content based search
✓ Simultaneous access
▪ Online database
✓ Relational consistency in data management.

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 Multimedia Products

3 Database Products
• Examples are:
✓ Google Search
✓ Google Earth

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 Multimedia Products
Education and Training Products
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• Similar to textbook or training manuals but have added media such as
audio, animation and video.
• Make up a significant share of the multimedia market ranging from pre-
kindergarten to postgraduate offerings from technical to corporate
training products.

• 2 categories of reference product:

✓ Instructor Support Products
✓ Standalone or Self-Paced Products
✓ Combination Products

• Shares the same characteristics as Reference Product

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 Multimedia Products
Education and Training Products
4
• Example

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 Multimedia Products

5 Kiosk Products
• A product which is usually stationed at public places and allow the user
to find information interactively and also other types of transaction.

• Characteristics of Kiosk Products:-

✓ Limited target users and usage.
✓ User friendly and easily used by user.
✓ Fast response.

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 Multimedia Products

5 Kiosk Products
• Categories of Kiosk
✓ Point Of Information
❑ Provide certain information (example map, timetable etc)
✓ Point Of Sales System
❑ Allow users to purchase or make orders

• Example of Kiosk Products:-

✓ Instant Photo Booth
✓ Banking Kiosk (money deposit, cheque)
✓ University Information Kiosk

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 Multimedia Products

6 Entertainment & Games

• Most popular
• Shipped in the form of Interactive CD / DVD ROM.
• Characteristics of E & G Products:-
✓ Immersive.
✓ Requires constant feedback and interaction with the user.
✓ Challenging and sometimes intriguing for user
✓ Enabled online play for more than one user experience.
End

⚫ Q&A