Multimedia

Introduction 

Multimedia 

The multimedia is a term made up two words: multi and media. The multi refer to more than one and toward 'media' refers to the the way through which one can express information. Therefore, multimedia refers to presenting information in many forms. multimedia is the application in which text, graphics, animation, audio and video effects are integrated to provided information through a computer system. Using multimedia application,information can be presented in a more effective and understandable way by using more than one medium.

In the multimedia application, user give input through a variety of input devices (i,e. mouse, microphone,scanner,keyboard etc) and takes output also through variety of output devices (i.e. monitor,speaker,printer etc). The multimedia application are mainly used in videos games, computer based training and virtual realities.

To use a multimedia application,the computer should have all necessary hardware and software that is able to handle more than one media. The computer having the capability to integrate two or more types of media (text, graphics, image, audio and video) for generation, storage, representation, manipulation and access of multimedia information is called multimedia computer system or multimedia system. Basically multimedia computer system requires:

1. Faster CPU
2. Larger capacity of hard disk
3. Higher capacity of RAM
4. Video Graphic card
5. CD,DVD,VCR
6. Audio I/O devices etc.

 Components of Multimedia
       in order to present the information effectively, all the components of multimedia must be used properly. Following are the components if a multimedia.

1. Text 

              Text is a basic component of the multimedia system. It is the combination of alphanumeric and special characters. These are used to present the information in text form. Computer are widely used for text processing. Text can be combined to other media to present information.
      2. Graphics
                Computer graphics deals with the generation, representation, manipulation and display of pictures with the aid of a computers. Graphics is an important component of a multimedia because a picture is a powerful way to illustrate information. Graphics created with different application can be stored in the form of TIF (Tagged image file), BMP (Bitmap image file ), GIF ( Graphics interchange format ), JPEG (Joint photographs expert group ) file formats. Pictures or graphics play an important role for presentation information in multimedia. Picture help explaining the information with illustration and are much more effective.
         3.Animation
                   Computer animation deals with the generation, sequencing and display of a set of image called frames to create an effect of visual change or motion, similar to a move fil(videos). Animation is a most important component of multimedia because just as a picture is a powerful way to illustrate information: a small animation clip is even more powerful and is very useful for illustrating concepts that involve movement.
           4. audio
                      Computer audio deals with synthesizing, recording and playback of audio or sound with the aid of a computer. Audio is another very important component of multimedia because in many cases sound can subsantially reinforce our understanding of information presented in other ways, and in some cases sound is the only way to provid desired information.
            5. Videos
                         Like animation computer videos deals with the recording and display of sequence of images at a reasonable speed to create an impression of movement of objects. A videos camera is most commonly used for capturing the video data.

 Advantages and disadvantages of Multimedia:

     Advantages of multimedia:
·         Increases learning effectiveness.

·         Is more appealing over traditional, lecture-based learning methods.

·         Offers significant potential in improving personal communications, education and training efforts.

·         Reduces training costs.

·         Is easy to use.

·         Tailors information to the individual.

·         Provides high-quality video images & audio.

·         Offers system portability.

·         Frees the teacher from routine tasks.

·         Gathers information about the study results of the student.

      Disadvantages of multimedia:
·         Expensive

·         Not always easy to configure

·         Requires special hardware

·         Not always compatible