INTRODUCTION TO

MULTIMEDIA

Chapter 2
Multimedia Systems
 Definition of Multimedia
System

A Multimedia System is a
system capable of
processing multimedia data
and applications.
 Characteristics of a
Multimedia Systems
A Multimedia systems has four basic
characteristics:

1. Multimedia systems must be computer

controlled.
2. Multimedia systems are integrated.
3. The information they handle must be
represented digitally.
4. The interface to the final presentation of
media is usually interactive
 Characteristics of a
Multimedia Systems
1. Computer Controlled

 Producing the content of the information – e.g. by

using the authoring tools, image editor, sound and
video editor
 Storing the information – providing large and shared
capacity for multimedia information.
 Transmitting the information – through the network.
 Presenting the information to the end user – make
direct use of computer peripheral such as display
device (monitor) or sound generator (speaker).
 Characteristics of a
Multimedia Systems
2. Integrated

 All multimedia components (audio, video, text,

graphics) used in the system must be somehow
integrated.
 Every device, such as microphone and camera is
connected to and controlled by a single computer.
 A single type of digital storage is used for all media
type.
 Video sequences are shown on computer screen
instead of TV monitor.
 Characteristics of a
Multimedia Systems
3. Interactivity

 Level 1: Interactivity strictly on information delivery.

Users select the time at which the presentation
starts, the order, the speed and the form of the
presentation itself.
 Level 2: Users can modify or enrich the content of
the information, and this modification is recorded.
 Level 3: Actual processing of users input and the
computer generate genuine result based on the
users input.
 Characteristics of a
Multimedia Systems
4. Digitally Represented

 Digitization: process involved in transforming an

analog signal to digital signal.
 Quiz!!!

1. Define MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM.

2. What are the four characteristics of MULTIMEDIA
SYSTEM?
 Challenges for Multimedia
Systems

The key issues multimedia systems need

to deal with here are:
 How to represent and store temporal
information.
 How to strictly maintain the temporal
relationships on play back/retrieval.
 What process are involved in the above.
 Desirable Features for a
Multimedia System
 Very High Processing Power
 Multimedia Capable File System
 Data Representations/File Formats that
support multimedia
 Efficient and High I/O
 Special Operating System
 Storage and Memory
 Network Support
 Software Tools
 Components of a
Multimedia System

Capture
Devices

Display Devices Storage Devices

Component
of
Multimedia
System

Computer Communication
System Network
 Components of a
Multimedia System

Central Processing Unit

A central processing unit (CPU), or sometimes simply

processor, is the component in a digital computer capable
of executing a program.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Monitor

A monitor, is a piece of electrical equipment which

displays viewable images generated by a computer
without producing a permanent record.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Projector

Projection devices such as data projectors can be used

to display images on surfaces such as a wall, producing
clear, bright and high resolution images.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Video Grabbing Card

A video card, (also referred to as a graphics accelerator

card, display adapter, graphics card, and numerous
other terms), is an item of personal computer hardware
whose function is to generate and output images to a
display.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Sound Card

A sound card (also known as an audio card) is a computer

expansion card that facilitates the input and output sound
under control of computer programs.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Speakers

A loudspeaker, speaker, or speaker system is an

electromechanical transducer which converts an electrical
signal into sound.
 Components of a
Multimedia System

CD-ROM Drive

CD-ROM discs are read using CD-ROM drives, which

are now almost universal on personal computers.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Scanner

A scanner is a device that analyzes images, printed text, or

handwriting, or an object (such as an ornament) and
converts it to a digital image.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Touchscreen

Touchscreens, touch screens, touch panels or

touchscreen panels are display overlays which have
the ability to display and receive information on the
same screen.
 Components of a
Multimedia System
Head-up Display

Devices that are worn on the head to display

information are known as head-up displays. This
technology has been implemented in virtual reality.
 Quiz!!!

1. What are the components of Multimedia

System and give examples for each.