What is Multimedia?

The word multi and media are combined to form the word multimedia. The word
“multi” signifies “many.” Multimedia is a type of medium that allows information
to be easily transferred from one location to another.
Multimedia is the presentation of text, pictures, audio, and video with links and
tools that allow the user to navigate, engage, create, and communicate using a
computer.

Multimedia refers to the computer-assisted integration of text, drawings, still and

moving images (videos) graphics, audio, animation, and any other media in which
any type of information can be expressed, stored, communicated, and processed
digitally.

To begin, a computer must be present to coordinate what you see and hear, as well
as to interact with. Second, there must be interconnections between the various
pieces of information. Third, you’ll need navigational tools to get around the web
of interconnected data. Multimedia is being employed in a variety of disciplines,
including education, training, and business.

Categories of Multimedia

Linear Multimedia:

It is also called Non-interactive multimedia. In the case of linear multimedia, the

end-user cannot control the content of the application. It has literally no
interactivity of any kind. Some multimedia projects like movies in which material
is thrown in a linear fashion from beginning to end. A linear multimedia application
lacks all the features with the help of which, a user can interact with the application
such as the ability to choose different options, click on icons, control the flow of
the media, or change the pace at which the media is displayed. Linear multimedia
works very well for providing information to a large group of people such as at
training sessions, seminars, workplace meetings, etc.
Non-Linear Multimedia:

In Non-Linear multimedia, the end-user is allowed the navigational control to rove

through multimedia content at his own desire. The user can control the access of
the application. Non-linear offers user interactivity to control the movement of
data. For example computer games, websites, self-paced computer-based training
packages, etc.

Applications of Multimedia
Multimedia indicates that, in addition to text, graphics/drawings, and photographs,
computer information can be represented using audio, video, and animation.
Multimedia is used in:

Education
In the subject of education, multimedia is becoming increasingly popular. It is often
used to produce study materials for pupils and to ensure that they have a thorough
comprehension of various disciplines. Edutainment, which combines education
and entertainment, has become highly popular in recent years. This system gives
learning in the form of enjoyment to the user.

Entertainment
The usage of multimedia in films creates a unique auditory and video impression.
Today, multimedia has completely transformed the art of filmmaking around the
world. Multimedia is the only way to achieve difficult effects and actions.
The entertainment sector makes extensive use of multimedia. It’s particularly
useful for creating special effects in films and video games. The most visible
illustration of the emergence of multimedia in entertainment is music and video
apps. Interactive games become possible thanks to the use of multimedia in the
gaming business. Video games are more interesting because of the integrated audio
and visual effects.

Business
Marketing, advertising, product demos, presentation, training, networked
communication, etc. are applications of multimedia that are helpful in many
businesses. The audience can quickly understand an idea when multimedia
presentations are used. It gives a simple and effective technique to attract visitors’
attention and effectively conveys information about numerous products. It’s also
utilized to encourage clients to buy things in business marketing.

Technology & Science

In the sphere of science and technology, multimedia has a wide range of
applications. It can communicate audio, films, and other multimedia documents in
a variety of formats. Only multimedia can make live broadcasting from one
location to another possible.
It is beneficial to surgeons because they can rehearse intricate procedures such as
brain removal and reconstructive surgery using images made from imaging scans
of the human body. Plans can be produced more efficiently to cut expenses and
problems.

Fine Arts
Multimedia artists work in the fine arts, combining approaches employing many
media and incorporating viewer involvement in some form. For example, a variety
of digital mediums can be used to combine movies and operas.
Digital artist is a new word for these types of artists. Digital painters make digital
paintings, matte paintings, and vector graphics of many varieties using computer
applications.

Engineering
Multimedia is frequently used by software engineers in computer simulations for
military or industrial training. It’s also used for software interfaces created by
creative experts and software engineers in partnership. Only multimedia is used to
perform all the minute calculations.

Components of Multimedia
Multimedia consists of the following 5 components:

Text
Characters are used to form words, phrases, and paragraphs in the text. Text
appears in all multimedia creations of some kind. The text can be in a variety of
fonts and sizes to match the multimedia software’s professional presentation. Text
in multimedia systems can communicate specific information or serve as a
supplement to the information provided by the other media.
Graphics
Non-text information, such as a sketch, chart, or photograph, is represented
digitally. Graphics add to the appeal of the multimedia application. In many
circumstances, people dislike reading big amounts of material on computers. As a
result, pictures are more frequently used than words to clarify concepts, offer
background information, and so on. Graphics are at the heart of any multimedia
presentation. The use of visuals in multimedia enhances the effectiveness and
presentation of the concept. Windows Picture, Internet Explorer, and other similar
programs are often used to see visuals. Adobe Photoshop is a popular graphics
editing program that allows you to effortlessly change graphics and make them
more effective and appealing.

Animations
A sequence of still photographs is being flipped through. It’s a set of visuals that
give the impression of movement. Animation is the process of making a still image
appear to move. A presentation can also be made lighter and more appealing by
using animation. In multimedia applications, the animation is quite popular. The
following are some of the most regularly used animation viewing programs: Fax
Viewer, Internet Explorer, etc.

Video
Photographic images that appear to be in full motion and are played back at speeds
of 15 to 30 frames per second. The term video refers to a moving image that is
accompanied by sound, such as a television picture. Of course, text can be included
in videos, either as captioning for spoken words or as text embedded in an image,
as in a slide presentation. The following programs are widely used to view videos:
Real Player, Window Media Player, etc.

Audio
Any sound, whether it’s music, conversation, or something else. Sound is the most
serious aspect of multimedia, delivering the joy of music, special effects, and other
forms of entertainment. Decibels are a unit of measurement for volume and sound
pressure level. Audio files are used as part of the application context as well as to
enhance interaction. Audio files must occasionally be distributed using plug-in
media players when they appear within online applications and webpages. MP3,
WMA, Wave, MIDI, and RealAudio are examples of audio formats. The following
programs are widely used to view videos: Real Player, Window Media Player, etc.
Advantages of multimedia are:

(i) It is interactive and integrated: The digitization process integrates all of the
numerous mediums. The ability to receive immediate input enhances interactivity.

(ii) It’s quite user-friendly: The user does not use much energy because they can
sit and watch the presentation, read the text, and listen to the audio.

(iii) It is Flexible: Because it is digital, this media can be easily shared. Adapted
to suit various settings and audiences.

(iv) It appeals to a variety of senses: It makes extensive use of the user’s senses
while utilizing multimedia, for example, hearing, observing and conversing

(v) Available for all type of audiences: It can be utilized for a wide range of
audiences, from a single individual to a group of people.

Disadvantages of Multimedia are:

(i) Expensive: It makes use of a wide range of resources, some of which can be
rather costly.

(ii) Overabundance of information: Because it is so simple to use, it can store

an excessive amount of data at once.

(iii) The time it takes for your presentation to load is affected by large files such
as video and music. If you add too much, you may need to utilize a larger
computer to store the information.
(iv)Compilation Time: It takes time to put together the original draft, despite its
flexibility.
Multimedia has following important characteristics:

(i) Multimedia systems must be controlled by a computer – storing, transmitting

and presenting the information to the end users

(ii) Multimedia systems are linked to one another, i.e., integrated: The system’s
multimedia components such as video, music, text, and graphics must all be
integrated in some way.

(iii) The data they work with must be represented digitally: The process of
converting an analog signal to a digital signal.

(iv)Usually, the interface to the final media presentation is interactive.

DELIVERY METHODS
Multimedia content can be delivered via the Internet, or by more traditional methods
such as CDs and DVDs.

Traditional Delivery Methods

DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) video offers high quality full motion video in a
standard format which can be viewed with a standard player and television.
Multimedia CD/DVD can be played on most personal computers and may be used
for video as well as any type of multimedia content which can be delivered online,
These formats are portable for convenient viewing at different places at any time,
but interactivity is limited. Delivery can take days or weeks via “snail mail” or
shipping companies. Content distributed in this manner can become stale and
updates may not be timely. This delivery method is more feasible at lower volumes.

12.4.2. Internet Multimedia

More and more frequently, multimedia content is being delivered via the internet in
an ever-increasing list of ways, including public web sites, dealer portals, blogs,
social media sites, and chat rooms. Online content can be accessed by a desktop PC
for on demand viewing or downloaded locally for later viewing. Access is available
anywhere at anytime subject to the constraints of the viewer’s Internet Service
Provider (ISP) and/or Local Area Network (LAN) and the owner of the content.
Control can be added to allow authorized users to access the appropriate content
from a store location. A great deal of interactivity can be achieved with Internet
technologies. Content can be fresh with timely updates but this method can be
bandwidth intensive for the viewer’s local area network. Bandwidth consumption is
relative to video quality and number of concurrent users on the same network. Open
solution cache devices may help control overall bandwidth consumption by
temporarily storing content locally.

Multimedia Database

Multimedia database is the collection of interrelated multimedia data that

includes text, graphics (sketches, drawings), images, animations, video, audio etc
and have vast amounts of multisource multimedia data. The framework that
manages different types of multimedia data which can be stored, delivered and
utilized in different ways is known as multimedia database management system.
There are three classes of the multimedia database which includes static media,
dynamic media and dimensional media.

A Multimedia Database (MMDB) hosts one or more multimedia data types (i.e.
text, images, graphic objects, audio, video, animation sequences.

These data types are broadly categorized into three classes:

 Static media (time-independent: image and graphic object).
 Dynamic media (time dependent: audio, video and animation).
 Dimensional media (3D game and computer aided drafting programs).

A Multimedia Database Management System (MMDBMS) is a framework that

manages different types of data potentially represented in a wide diversity of
formats on a wide array of media sources. It provides support for multimedia data
types, and facilitate for creation, storage, access, query and control of a multimedia
database.
Content of Multimedia Database management system:
1. Media data – The actual data representing an object.
2. Media format data – Information such as sampling rate, resolution, encoding
scheme etc. about the format of the media data after it goes through the
acquisition, processing and encoding phase.
3. Media keyword data – Keywords description relating to the generation of data.
It is also known as content descriptive data. Example: date, time and place of
recording.
4. Media feature data – Content dependent data such as the distribution of colors,
kinds of texture and different shapes present in data.

Types of multimedia applications based on data management

characteristic are:
1. Repository applications – A Large amount of multimedia data as well as meta-
data (Media format date, Media keyword data, Media feature data) that is stored
for retrieval purpose, e.g., Repository of satellite images, engineering drawings,
radiology scanned pictures.

2. Presentation applications – They involve delivery of multimedia data subject

to temporal constraint. Optimal viewing or listening requires DBMS to deliver
data at certain rate offering the quality of service above a certain threshold. Here
data is processed as it is delivered. Example: Annotating of video and audio
data, real-time editing analysis.

3. Collaborative work using multimedia information – It involves executing a

complex task by merging drawings, changing notifications. Example:
Intelligent healthcare network.

There are still many challenges to multimedia databases, some of

which are:
1. Modelling – Working in this area can improve database versus information
retrieval techniques thus, documents constitute a specialized area and deserve
special consideration.

2. Design – The conceptual, logical and physical design of multimedia databases

has not yet been addressed fully as performance and tuning issues at each level
 are far more complex as they consist of a variety of formats like JPEG, GIF,
PNG, MPEG which is not easy to convert from one form to another.

3. Storage – Storage of multimedia database on any standard disk presents the

problem of representation, compression, mapping to device hierarchies,
archiving and buffering during input-output operation. In DBMS, a
”BLOB”(Binary Large Object) facility allows untyped bitmaps to be stored and
retrieved.

4. Performance – For an application involving video playback or audio-video

synchronization, physical limitations dominate. The use of parallel processing
may alleviate some problems but such techniques are not yet fully developed.
Apart from this multimedia database consume a lot of processing time as well
as bandwidth.

5. Queries and retrieval –For multimedia data like images, video, audio
accessing data through query opens up many issues like efficient query
formulation, query execution and optimization which need to be worked upon.

Areas where multimedia database is applied are:

 Documents and record management: Industries and businesses that keep

detailed records and variety of documents. Example: Insurance claim record.

 Knowledge dissemination: Multimedia database is a very effective tool for

knowledge dissemination in terms of providing several resources. Example:
Electronic books.

 Education and training: Computer-aided learning materials can be designed

using multimedia sources which are nowadays very popular sources of learning.
Example: Digital libraries.

 Marketing, advertising, retailing, entertainment and travel. Example: a virtual

tour of cities.

 Real-time control and monitoring: Coupled with active database technology,

multimedia presentation of information can be very effective means for
 monitoring and controlling complex tasks Example: Manufacturing operation
control.

Multimedia Input and Output Devices

Wide ranges of Input and output devices are available for multimedia.

Image Scanners: Image scanners are the scanners by which documents or a

manufactured part are scanned. The scanner acts as the camera eye and take a
photograph of the document, creating an unaltered electronic pixel representation of
the original.

Sound and Voice: When voice or music is captured by a microphone, it generates

an electrical signal. This electrical signal has analog sinusoidal waveforms. To
digitize, this signal is converted into digital voice using an analog-to-digital
converter.

Full-Motion Video: It is the most important and most complex component of

Multimedia System. Video Cameras are the primary source of input for full-motion
video.

Pen Driver: It is a pen device driver that interacts with the digitizer to receive all
digitized information about the pen location and builds pen packets for the
recognition context manager. Recognition context manager: It is the main part of the
pen system. It is responsible for co-ordinating windows pen applications with the
pen. It works with Recognizer, dictionary, and display driver to recognize and
display pen drawn objects.

Recognizer: It recognizes hand written characters and converts them to ASCII.

Dictionary: A dictionary is a dynamic link library (DLL); The windows form pen
computing system uses this dictionary to validate the recognition results.
 Display Driver: It interacts with the graphics device interface' and display
hardware. When a user starts writing or drawing, the display driver paints the ink
trace on the screen.

Video and Image Display Systems Display System Technologies

There are variety of display system technologies employed for decoding compressed
data for displaying. Mixing and scaling technology: For VGA screen, these
technologies are used.

VGA mixing: Images from multiple sources are mixed in the image acquisition
memory.

VGA mixing with scaling: Scalar ICs are used to sizing and positioning of images
in predefined windows.

Dual buffered VGA mixing/Scaling: If we provide dual buffering, the original

image is prevented from loss. In this technology, a separate buffer is used to maintain
the original image.