De Sagun Jr.

Marcial
BSIT321
ELEMENTS OF MULTIMEDIA
If we break the word multimedia into its component parts ,we get multi -meaning
more than one ,and media-meaning form of communication.Those types of media
include:
. Text
. Audio Sound
. Static Graphics Images
. Animation
. Full-Motion Video
Let's look at each of these components in more detail.

-Text
Whether or not they have used a computer ,most people are familiar with text. Text is
the basis for word processing programs and is still the fundamental information used
in many multimedia programs.

In fact ,many multimedia applications are based on the conversion of a book to a

computerized form.This conversion gives the user immediate access to the text and
lets him or her display pop-up windows , which give definitions of certain
words.Multimedia applications also enable the user to instantly display information
related to a certain topic that is being viewed.Most powerfully ,the computerized form
of a book allows the user to look up information quickly (without referring to the
index or table of contents).

The Windows operating environment gives the user an almost infinite range of
expressing text.As a multimedia programmer ,you can choose what font to display
text in ,how big (or small) it should be ,and what color it should be displayed in .By
displaying text in more than one format ,the message a multimedia application is
trying to portray can be made more understandable.

One type of application ,which many people use every day ,is the Windows Help
Engine.This application is a text-based information viewer that makes accessing
information related to a certain topic easy.

- Audio Sound
The integration of audio sound into a multimedia application can provide the user
with information not possible through any other method of communication .Some
types of information can't be conveyed effectively without using sound.It is nearly
impossible ,for example ,to provide an accurate textual description of the bear of a
heart or the sound of the ocean.

Audio sound can also reinforce the user's understanding of information presented in
another type of media.For example ,a narration might describe what is being seen in
an animation clip.This can enhance the understanding of what the application is all
about and lead to better comprehension.Experts in learning have found that presenting
information using more than one sense aids in later retention of the information.Most
importantly ,it can also make the information more interesting to the user.

Audio sound is available in several different formats.Today ,maybe the most common
type of audio is red book audio.This is the standard specification used to refer to
consumer audio compact discs.It is an international standard and is officially known
as IEC 908.This specification is called red book audio because of the color of the
cover of the publication that describes its formats.red book audio sound can also be
used in multimedia applications ,and it forms the basis of the highest quality sound
available.

Another audio sound format is the Windows wave file ,which can be played only on
PCs running the Windows operating environment.A wave file contains the actual
digital data used to play back the sound as well as a header that provides additional
information about the resolution and playback rate.Wave files can store any type of
sound that can be recorded by a microphone.

The final type of audio sound that may be used is known as the Musical Instrument
Digital Interface ,or MIDI for short.The MIDI format is actually a specification
invented by musical instrument manufacturers.Rather than being a digitized form of
the sound ,the MIDI specification is actually a set of messages that describes what
musical note is being played.The MIDI specification cannot store anything except in
the form of musical notes.MIDI music can be created with a sequencer.

- Static Graphics lmages

When you imagine graphics images you probably think of "still" images-that is
,images such as those in a photograph or drawing.There is no movement in these types
of picture.Static graphics images are an important part of multimedia because humans
are visually oriented.As the old Chinese proverb goes ,"A picture is worth a thousand
words."Windows is also a visual environment.This makes displaying graphics images
easier than it would be in a DOS-based environment.

Static graphics images have a number of formats and can be created in a number of
different ways.Just as you can see an unlimited number of photographs or pictures ,the
types of static graphics images that you can include in a multimedia application are
almost unlimited.

- Animation
Animation refers to moving graphics images.The movement of somebody giving CPR
makes it much easier to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation ,rather than just viewing
a static picture.Just as a static graphics image is a powerful form of communication
,such is the case with animation.Animation is especially useful for illustrating
concepts that involve movement.

Such concepts as playing a guitar or hitting a golf ball are difficult to illustrate using a
single photograph ,or even a series of photographs ,and even more difficult to explain
using text.Animation makes it easier to portray these aspects of your multimedia
application.

- Full-Motion Video
Full-motion video ,such as the images portrayed in a television ,can add even more to
a multimedia application.Although full-motion video may sound like an ideal way to
add a powerful message to a multimedia application ,it is nowhere near the quality
you would expect after watching television.Full-motion video is still in its beginning
stages on PCs ,and it is limited in resolution and size.Even with advanced methods of
data compression ,full-motion video can suck up hard disk space faster than water
falls when poured out of a bucket.

Right now ,there are two major methods of incorporating full-motion video into a
multimedia application: Microsoft Video for Windows ,and Quick Time for Windows
from Apple Computers.Both products come with tools for getting the video from an
external input (a videocassette recorder or a video camera) and storing it on your hard
disk drive.

- All of the Above

You can see that multimedia is by on means just one of the preceding
technologies.Because of what hardware can and cannot do ,it is often a trade-off
between a certain number of static graphics images ,audio sound ,full-motion video
and text.As you may guess ,textual information takes the least amount of space to
store.

Even if a multimedia machine had unlimited resources ,you would still want to add a
combination of these multimedia technologies.For example ,although a picture is
worth a thousand words ,it would be difficult to portray the work of William
Shakespeare through pictures only.The same goes for audio sound.You could record
the sound of church bells and a narration of the Bible ,but at times you would rather
have the Bible in textual format , which would allow you to search for certain
keywords .

2.Differentiate Linear and non linear multimedia

LINEAR INTERACTIVITY

In linear interactivity, the user interacts with the multimedia application without controlling the
progress of the content. In other words, the user is a passive receiver of the multimedia content most of
the time.

NON-LINEAR INTERACTIVITY

Unlike linear interactivity, non-linear interactivity allows the user to interact with the content according
to what the user wants from the content. In other words, it is a two-way communication.

3.Importance of multimedia

A) Business- use and application

 Sales / Marketing presentation

 Trade show production
 Staff training application
 Company Kiosk

B) home

 IPTV
 Satellite TV
 Games

C) Education- use and apploication

 Courseware / Simulation
 E-learning / Distance learning
 Information searching

D) Entertainment

 Games (leisure/ educational)

 Movies
 Video and demand
o online
e) Public Places

 information KIOSK
 smart cards , Security

4) Example of multimedia products

A) Brief Products

 Corporate Presentation
 Sales Presentation
 Educational Lecture

B) Reference Product

 Encyclopedia
 Dictionaries
 Cook Books, historical informative
 Scientific Survey

C) Database Product

 Google search
 Google Earth

D) Educaton And training Products

 Education Lectures
 Audio
 Animation
 Video

E) Kiosk

 Instant photo booth

 Banking KIOSK(money deposit, cheque)
 University Information KIosk

F) Entertainments and Games

 Dvd rom
 cd

5) What is virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual Reality can be considered an extremely immersive experience that you can enjoy safely and
simulate something real. By using a Virtual Reality headset or applicable application, you can enter into
special simulations. These simulations are designed to be extremely immersive experiences which the
user can interact with and explore. The viewer controls the environment and has the power to look
around at any scene as well as potentially interact with the objects in the scene.

6) What are some of the skills needed to develop good multimedia and , 8) What is the Background
/ training/ skills is required of each?

Multimedia Development Team

Project Manager Multimedia Designer Interface Designer Writers Video Specialist Audio Specialist
Multimedia Programmer Multimedia Producer for the Web
Project Manager
Responsibilities Overall project Day to day operations and budget Put together good core team Maintain
the “big picture” – the vision Background/skills Understand hardware & software Communication skills
Good “people” skills- a good listener
Multimedia Designer
Responsibilities : Overall content and structure Prepares blueprint for project: content, media,
interaction Sometime overlaps with Interface Designer Coordinates team

A) Graphic designer – deals with visual is Illustrators ( Freehand)Animators ( Flash)Image

processing specialists ( Photoshop)Instructional Designers – deal with subject matter Clear and
proper presentation Knowledge of content
Interface Designer
Responsibilities: Provides access to media and control to people who use it Makes interface
“transparent” to users ( effective use of windows, icons, backgrounds, controls,
etc.)Background/skills Familiar with different multimedia interfaces Knows authoring system,
user testing Basic drawing skills

Writers Responsibilities :Create character, action, point of view, interactivity Write proposals,
script actor’s narration, write text screen( content writers)Background/skills: Background in
marketing Ability to work within tight deadlines
Audio Specialist Responsibilities: Locating and selecting suitable music and talent Scheduling
recording sessions Digitizing, editing recorded materials Background/skills: Skilled in studio
recording Fluency in MIDI Experience with sequencing software
Multimedia Programmer Integrates multimedia elements into “seamless” whole using
programming language or authoring system (Author ware)Coding displays to controlling devices
Background/skills: Multimedia languages (C++, Java, Lingo)HTML, VRML, XML Ability to quickly
learn new systems
Multimedia Producer for the Web
Responsibilities: Coordinates set of pages for the web Background/skills: Knowledge of HTML,
CGI scripts, Photoshop, etc.
Good Multimedia
Many multimedia systems are too passive- users click and watch For fully interactive systems,
designers need clear picture of what happens as user interacts Adaptive systems modify
themselves based on user input ( intelligent tutors)

7) What is the responsibility of each member of the software team ?

 Software Project Team Roles and Responsibilities

Successful development projects take careful planning, a talented team and collaboration of a project’s
team members, both internal and external (client representatives). Software projects only move
forward when the key team members are in place.

Project Manager

Project manager duties:

Develop a project plan, Manage deliverables according to the plan, Recruit project staff, Lead and
manage the project team, Determine the methodology used on the project, Establish a project schedule
and determine each phase, Assign tasks to project team members, Provide regular updates to upper
management

Functional manager:

Assign project, Discuss how well person is doing that work and if person wants to continue doing it
(providing opportunities for growth), Gather information from other PMs to write the evaluation, Work
with employee to set and coach on career goals

Operational Manager

An operations manager is a senior role which involves overseeing the production of goods and/or
provision of services., It’s an operations manager’s job to make sure an organization is running as well as
it possibly can, with a smooth efficient service that meets the expectations and needs of customers and
clients.

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities

Coordination and Supervision — Coordinate, manage and monitor the workings of various departments
in the organization.

Financial — Review financial statements and data. Utilize financial data to improve profitability. Prepare
and control operational budgets. Control inventory. Plan effective strategies for the financial well-being
of the company.

Best Practices — Improve processes and policies in support of organizational goals. Formulate and
implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures to maximize output. Monitor
adherence to rules, regulations and procedures.

Human Resources — Plan the use of human resources. Organize recruitment and placement of required
staff. Establish organizational structures. Delegate tasks and accountabilities. Establish work schedules.
Supervise staff. Monitor and evaluate performance.

Production — Coordinate and monitor the work of various departments involved in production,

warehousing, pricing and distribution of goods. Monitor performance and implement improvements.
Ensure quality of products. Manage quality and quantity of employee productivity. Manage
maintenance of equipment and machinery. Provide technical support where necessary.

Communication — Monitor, manage and improve the efficiency of support services such as IT, HR,
Accounts and Finance. Facilitate coordination and communication between support functions.

Sales and Marketing and Customer Service — Manage customer support. Plan and support sales and
marketing activities.

Strategic Input — Liaison with top management. Assist in the development of strategic plans for
operational activity. Implement and manage operational plans.

·Planning and controlling change. Managing quality assurance programs.

Researching new technologies and alternative methods of efficiency. Setting and reviewing budgets and
managing cost. Overseeing inventory, distribution of goods and facility layout.

Analyst

The Analyst is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the business clients are captured and
documented correctly before a solution is developed and implemented. In some companies, this person
might be called a Business Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Systems Analyst or Requirements Analyst.

Business Analyst

Business analyst duties: Assist in defining the project, Gather requirements from business units or users,
Document technical and business requirements, Verify that project deliverables meet the requirements,
Test solutions to validate objectives

QA Manager

The QA role works with the Functional Analyst (FA) and the Solutions Architect (SA) to convert the
requirements and design documents into a set of testing cases and scripts, which can be used to verify
that the system meets the client needs. This collection of test cases and scripts are collectively referred
to as a test plan. The test plan document itself is often simple providing an overview of each of the test
cases. The testing cases and scripts are also used to validate that there are no unexplained errors in the
system.

Change Control Board/change manager

The Change Control Board is usually made up of a group of decision makers authorized to accept
changes to the projects requirements, budget, and timelines. This organization would be helpful if the
project directly impacted a number of functional areas and the sponsor wanted to share the scope
change authority with this broader group. The details of the Change Control Board and the processes
they follow are defined in the project management processes.

Client
This is the people (or groups) that are the direct beneficiaries of a project or service. They are the people
for whom the project is being undertaken. (Indirect beneficiaries are probably stakeholders.) These
might also be called “customers”, but if they are internal to the company, Life cycle Step refers to them
generically as clients. If they are outside your company, they would be referred to as “customers”.

Client Project Manager

If the project is large enough, the business client may have a primary contact that is designated as a
comparable project manager for work on the client side. The IT project manager would have overall
responsibility for the IT solution. However, there may be projects on the client side that are also needed
to support the initiative, and the client project manager would be responsible for those. The IT project
manager and the client project manager would be peers who work together to build and implement the
complete solution.

Process Analyst:

The process analyst leads and coordinates business use-case modeling by outlining and delimiting the
organization being modeled; for example, establishing what business actors and business use cases exist
and how they interact. The business process analyst is responsible for the business architecture. He/she
is shown below as responsible for Artifact: Business Object Model because of this overall architectural
responsibility, even though Role: Business Designer creates and maintains it.