Basics of Computer - Multimedia

Basics of Computer – Multimedia

In this chapter, we will discuss how the computer Multimedia works. If a system presents, some information through more than two media, it is know as multimedia. For example, TV presents audio and video; book present text, image, and graphs, computer, etc.

The information presented trough multimedia has better quality and capability, as it can be understood easily.

The advanced computer system is a great example of modern multimedia.

Literal Meaning of Multimedia

In this section, we will understand the literal meaning of multimedia.

• Multi – it mean more than one

• Medium – it is singular and it means intermediary or mean

• Media – it is plural and it means conveying the information

Likewise, Multimedia is the field of Computer Science that integrates different forms of information and represents in the form audio, video, and animation along with the traditional media, i.e., text, graphics/drawings, images, etc.

Multimedia Computer System

Multimedia computer system has high capacity to integrates different media including text image, graphics audio, and video.

The multimedia computer system stores, represents, processes, manipulates, and makes available to users.

Significant Feature of Multimedia Computer System

Following are the major features multimedia computer system –

• Its Central Processing Unit (CPU) is very fast, as it needs to process large amount of data.

• It as huge storage capacity.

• It has huge memory power that help in heavy running heavy data program.

• It has high capacity graphic card that helps in displaying graphics, animation, video, etc.

• The sound system make it easy to listen to audio.

• With all these feature (discussed above), a computer system known as high end multimedia computer system.

• However, all the features listed above are not essentially requires for every multimedia computer system, but rather the features of a multimedia computer system are configured as per the need of respective user.

Multimedia Components

Following are the major components of a multimedia computer system –

Text

It contain alphanumeric and some other special characters. Keyboard is usually used for input of text; however, there are some internal (inbuilt) features to include such text.

Graphics

It is technology to generate, represent, process, manipulate, and display pictures. It is one of the most important  component of multimedia application. The development of graphics is supported by a different software.

Animation

Computer animation is a modern technology, which helps in creating, developing, sequencing, and displaying a set of images (technically known as ‘ frames’). Animation gives visual effects or motion very similar to that of a video file (see image given below).

Audio

Tis technology records, synthesizes, and plays audio (sound). There are many learning courses and different instructions that can be delivered through this medium appropriately.

Video

This technology records, synthesizes, and displays images (known as frames) in such sequences (at a fixed speed) that makes the creation appear as moving; this is how we see a completely developed video. In order to watch a video without any interruption, video device must displayed 25 to 30 frames/second.

Multimedia Application

Let us now see the different field where multimedia is applied. The field are described in brief below –

Presentation

With the help of multimedia, presentation can be made effective.

E-books

Today, books are digitalized and easily available on the Internet.

Digital Library

The need to be physically present at a library is no more necessary. Libraries can be accessed from the Internet also. Digitization has helped libraries to come to this level of development.

E-learning

Today, most of the institution (public as well as private both) are using such technology to education people.

Movie Making

Most the special effects that we see in any movie, is only because of multimedia technology.

Video games

Video games are one of the most interesting creation of multimedia technology; video games fascinate not only the children but adults too.

Animated films

Along video games, animated film is another great source of entertainment for children.

Multimedia conferencing

Prople can

People can arrange personal as well as business meetings online with the help of multimedia conferencing technology.

E-shopping

Multimedia technology has created a virtual arena for the e-commerce.