multimedia intermediate i. what is multimedia? in everyday life, multimedia is everything you hear...

MultimediaMultimedia

Intermediate IIntermediate I

What is Multimedia?What is Multimedia?

In everyday life, multimedia is In everyday life, multimedia is everything you hear or see, e.g. text everything you hear or see, e.g. text in books, sound in music, and in books, sound in music, and graphics in pictures.graphics in pictures.

In computing multimedia is the In computing multimedia is the presentation of information by a presentation of information by a computer system using text, sound, computer system using text, sound, video and graphics.video and graphics.

Who uses Multimedia?Who uses Multimedia? EducationEducation

– Students can search wikipediaStudents can search wikipedia, , which provide facts on a variety of which provide facts on a variety of different topics using multimedia presentations.different topics using multimedia presentations.

– Teachers can use multimedia presentations to make lessons more Teachers can use multimedia presentations to make lessons more interesting by using animations to highlight or demonstrate key interesting by using animations to highlight or demonstrate key points. points.

– A multimedia presentation can also make it easier for pupils to A multimedia presentation can also make it easier for pupils to read text rather than trying to read a teacher’s writing on the read text rather than trying to read a teacher’s writing on the board.board.

BusinessBusiness– Multimedia is used for advertising and selling products on the Multimedia is used for advertising and selling products on the

Internet.Internet.– Some businesses use multimedia for training where CD-ROMs or Some businesses use multimedia for training where CD-ROMs or

on line tutorials allow staff to learn at their own speed.on line tutorials allow staff to learn at their own speed. LeisureLeisure

– The Internet has many multimedia elements embedded in web The Internet has many multimedia elements embedded in web pages and web browsers support a variety of multimedia formats.pages and web browsers support a variety of multimedia formats.

– Many computer games use sound tracks, 3D graphics and video Many computer games use sound tracks, 3D graphics and video clipsclips

MultimediaMultimedia

A basic multimedia system A basic multimedia system includes:includes:– HardwareHardware

input devices, input devices, output devices, output devices, backing storage.backing storage.

– SoftwareSoftware PresentationPresentation Authoring packagesAuthoring packages Desktop PublishingDesktop Publishing

Multimedia – Input Multimedia – Input DevicesDevices

Scanner Scanner – A scanner allows the input of A scanner allows the input of

drawings, photographs or text drawings, photographs or text directly into the computer’s directly into the computer’s memory. memory.

– A scanner is similar to a photocopier A scanner is similar to a photocopier as it shines a light onto the item to as it shines a light onto the item to be scanned and then reads the light be scanned and then reads the light that is reflected.that is reflected.


Optical Character Recognition Optical Character Recognition Software (OCR)Software (OCR)– When you use OCR software with a When you use OCR software with a

scanner you can scan text directly into scanner you can scan text directly into the computer’s memory as a word-the computer’s memory as a word-processed document.processed document.

– Once scanned into the computer’s word Once scanned into the computer’s word

processor text can be edited and saved.processor text can be edited and saved.

– OCR software has a limited number of OCR software has a limited number of characters it recognises, and therefore characters it recognises, and therefore mistakes in scanned text are common.mistakes in scanned text are common.


MicrophoneMicrophone– A microphone can be used to allow sound A microphone can be used to allow sound

to be entered into a computer’s memory. to be entered into a computer’s memory.

– Most computers have in built Most computers have in built microphones, or have an interface which microphones, or have an interface which allows a microphone to be plugged into allows a microphone to be plugged into the computer. the computer.

– The quality of sound generated by a The quality of sound generated by a microphone is generally poor so it would microphone is generally poor so it would not be used for recording music.not be used for recording music.


Graphics tabletGraphics tablet– A graphics tablet has a pen connected to A graphics tablet has a pen connected to

a flat board, which is sensitive to a flat board, which is sensitive to pressure. When pressure is applied to the pressure. When pressure is applied to the board using the pen the position is sent board using the pen the position is sent to the computer. to the computer.

– A graphics tablet allows the user to draw A graphics tablet allows the user to draw or trace shapes which will go directly into or trace shapes which will go directly into the computer.the computer.

– It is easier to draw with a pen than it is It is easier to draw with a pen than it is with a mouse.with a mouse.


Voice Recognition SoftwareVoice Recognition Software– allows the user to enter text by allows the user to enter text by

speaking. The user speaks into the speaking. The user speaks into the microphone and the words are microphone and the words are converted into text.converted into text.

– Voice recognition has drawbacks:Voice recognition has drawbacks: The user must speak slowly and clearly.The user must speak slowly and clearly. The software has difficulty with strong The software has difficulty with strong

accents, or if you have a cold.accents, or if you have a cold.


Handwriting Recognition Handwriting Recognition SoftwareSoftware– The software reads the writing and The software reads the writing and

converts it into text. converts it into text. – One drawback of handwriting One drawback of handwriting

software is that if you are a poor software is that if you are a poor writer the software many not read writer the software many not read the handwriting correctly and the handwriting correctly and errors will occur.errors will occur.


Digital cameraDigital camera– Photographs taken using a digital camera can be Photographs taken using a digital camera can be

easily saved to a computer’s memory. The camera is easily saved to a computer’s memory. The camera is connected to the computer which then allows connected to the computer which then allows pictures stored in the camera to be uploaded into the pictures stored in the camera to be uploaded into the computer’s memory.computer’s memory.

– The amount of memory that a digital camera has will The amount of memory that a digital camera has will restrict the number of images that can be stored. restrict the number of images that can be stored.

– Resolution is the number of dots in an image. The Resolution is the number of dots in an image. The more dots (the higher the resolution), the better the more dots (the higher the resolution), the better the picture looks but the more storage required to hold picture looks but the more storage required to hold the image.the image.

Digital Camera SoftwareDigital Camera Software– Most digital cameras come with photo-enhancing Most digital cameras come with photo-enhancing

software, which will allow you to alter the content as software, which will allow you to alter the content as well as the brightness, contrast and colours of the well as the brightness, contrast and colours of the photographs.photographs.


Video cameraVideo camera– is used for taking movies and works in a is used for taking movies and works in a

similar way to a still camera but the similar way to a still camera but the pictures are stored on a tape.pictures are stored on a tape.

– A digital video camera can be connected A digital video camera can be connected to a computer system to upload the to a computer system to upload the movies. movies.

– Once the video is in the computer’s Once the video is in the computer’s memory the videos can be edited. memory the videos can be edited.

– Movies require a great deal of memory, Movies require a great deal of memory, so to store videos would require a large so to store videos would require a large backing storage.backing storage.

Multimedia – Output Multimedia – Output DevicesDevices

MonitorsMonitors– Monitors are also known as Monitors are also known as VVisual isual DDisplay isplay

UUnits. This is the screen used to display the nits. This is the screen used to display the output from the computer. The image output from the computer. The image displayed on the VDU is made up of small displayed on the VDU is made up of small blocks called pixels. The more pixels that blocks called pixels. The more pixels that are on an image the greater the resolution. are on an image the greater the resolution.

– The 2 main types of monitor are:The 2 main types of monitor are: CCathode athode RRay ay TTube: ube:

– Images on this type of monitor are created by Images on this type of monitor are created by beams hitting phosphorus inside the screen beams hitting phosphorus inside the screen making the pixels.making the pixels.

LLiquid iquid CCrystal rystal DDisplay: isplay: – A LCD monitor is flat and lightweight and also A LCD monitor is flat and lightweight and also

needs very little power to operate. LCD screens are needs very little power to operate. LCD screens are normally found on laptop computersnormally found on laptop computers


SpeakersSpeakers– are required to output the sound for a are required to output the sound for a

multimedia presentation. multimedia presentation. – Most computers have in-built Most computers have in-built

loudspeakers, as well as an interface loudspeakers, as well as an interface which allows additional loudspeakers to which allows additional loudspeakers to be connected to the computer.be connected to the computer.

Sound cardsSound cards– are additional pieces of hardware that are are additional pieces of hardware that are

inside a computer. A good quality sound inside a computer. A good quality sound card improves the sound quality.card improves the sound quality.

– Speakers and microphone plug into the Speakers and microphone plug into the sound card.sound card.


Data projectorsData projectors– simply project a presentation from simply project a presentation from

the computer onto a large white the computer onto a large white screen usually mounted against a screen usually mounted against a wall.wall.

Graphics cardGraphics card– The better the graphics card the The better the graphics card the

better the quality of images that better the quality of images that can be displayed.can be displayed.

– The monitor and data projector plug The monitor and data projector plug into the graphics card.into the graphics card.

Multimedia – Storage Multimedia – Storage DevicesDevices

Backing storageBacking storage– You need to store your multimedia You need to store your multimedia

presentation on backing storage.presentation on backing storage.

– There are a number of backing storage There are a number of backing storage devices which are all parts of the devices which are all parts of the hardware of a computer system. When hardware of a computer system. When discussing backing storage the term discussing backing storage the term access is used. access is used.

Random/direct access is when the storage Random/direct access is when the storage device can go to a piece of data straight away device can go to a piece of data straight away wherever it is stored.wherever it is stored.


Hard diskHard disk– The hard disk is the main backing storage The hard disk is the main backing storage

device inside the computer. device inside the computer. – Modern hard-disk drives have a large storage Modern hard-disk drives have a large storage

capacity usually between 120 - 200 gigabytes. capacity usually between 120 - 200 gigabytes. – This large storage capacity is ideal for This large storage capacity is ideal for

multimedia presentations as these usually multimedia presentations as these usually have large storage requirements.have large storage requirements.

Floppy diskFloppy disk– Floppy disks are ideal for storing and Floppy disks are ideal for storing and

transferring transferring smallsmall files, but due to their small files, but due to their small storage capacity (1.44 megabytes) they are storage capacity (1.44 megabytes) they are not usually suitable for multimedia files.not usually suitable for multimedia files.


Compact disksCompact disks– CDs are optical storage which means that they use CDs are optical storage which means that they use

lasers to store and read data. lasers to store and read data. – CDs are portable.CDs are portable.– CDs have a large storage capacity (700megabytes), CDs have a large storage capacity (700megabytes),

making them ideal storage for multimedia making them ideal storage for multimedia presentations.presentations.

Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)– The main difference between CDs and DVDs is that The main difference between CDs and DVDs is that

DVDs have a larger storage capacity, 4.6 gigabytes.DVDs have a larger storage capacity, 4.6 gigabytes.

– CD –ROM / DVD-ROMCD –ROM / DVD-ROM Cannot be updated as they are Read Only.Cannot be updated as they are Read Only.

– CD-R / DVD-RCD-R / DVD-R You can save to once, which means you cannot edit the You can save to once, which means you cannot edit the

program or presentation once saved onto the disk. program or presentation once saved onto the disk. – CD-RW / DVD-RWCD-RW / DVD-RW

Can be re-written to many times.Can be re-written to many times.


USB – Flash driveUSB – Flash drive– Is a small compact memory chip that Is a small compact memory chip that

plugs into the USB port of a plugs into the USB port of a computer. computer.

– Flash drives allow data to be stored, Flash drives allow data to be stored, erased and re-written to many times. erased and re-written to many times.

– Flash drives are portable backing Flash drives are portable backing storage devices that have a storage storage devices that have a storage capacity up to approx 2gb.capacity up to approx 2gb.


Device Cost Capacity Speed ofaccess

Portability

Harddisk

Expensive A lot –personalsystem usually20–30 gigabytes

Very fast No – usuallyinsidemachine

Floppydisk

Very cheap 1.4 megabytes Slow Yes, but easilydamaged

CD-ROM Very cheap Around 700megabytes

Fast Yes, and noteasilydamaged

CD-R Very cheap Around 700megabytes


CD-RW Very cheap Around 700megabytes


DVD Fairly cheap Big up to 17gigabytes


USB FlashDrive

Cheap Increasingbut up to4 gigabyte

Fast Yes – verysmall androbust

Multimedia – File TypesMultimedia – File Types File TypesFile Types

– There are many different ways to There are many different ways to store files but choosing the correct store files but choosing the correct file type can dramatically reduce file type can dramatically reduce the amount of backing storage the amount of backing storage required. required.

– Some file types Some file types compresscompress the data, the data, which makes the storage which makes the storage requirements smaller and therefore requirements smaller and therefore faster to download.faster to download.

Multimedia – File TypesMultimedia – File Types TextText

– Text files may have one of the following file Text files may have one of the following file extensions:extensions: .txt .txt texttext .doc .doc documentdocument .rtf.rtf rich text formatrich text format

– Doc and txt are versions of saving word-processed Doc and txt are versions of saving word-processed documents. However, if the file is open in another documents. However, if the file is open in another application the original formatting (bold, italic application the original formatting (bold, italic etc) of the text may be lost.etc) of the text may be lost.

– RTF files are saved with all the formatting RTF files are saved with all the formatting information. RTF files can be opened using many information. RTF files can be opened using many packages and the format will still be there.packages and the format will still be there.

Multimedia – File TypesMultimedia – File Types Graphics files may have one of the following file extensions:Graphics files may have one of the following file extensions:

– .bmp .bmp bitmapbitmap– .gif .gif graphics interchange format – a bit-mapped graphics file graphics interchange format – a bit-mapped graphics file

formatformat– .jpeg .jpeg Joint Photographic Experts Group – used for photos and Joint Photographic Experts Group – used for photos and

graphicsgraphics

Bitmapped graphicsBitmapped graphics– A bitmapped graphic is a picture made up of a grid of dots called A bitmapped graphic is a picture made up of a grid of dots called

pixels. A pixel can be stored in 1 bit of the computer’s memory. A pixels. A pixel can be stored in 1 bit of the computer’s memory. A black pixel is stored as a 1 and a white pixel as a 0. The bitmap black pixel is stored as a 1 and a white pixel as a 0. The bitmap picture stores data about each pixel which means bitmap pictures picture stores data about each pixel which means bitmap pictures have a large storage requirement.have a large storage requirement.

File compressionFile compression– Makes the file size smallerMakes the file size smaller

– Compressing using GIFCompressing using GIF GIF files reduce storage requirements of a bitmap graphic.GIF files reduce storage requirements of a bitmap graphic.

– Compressing using JPEGCompressing using JPEG JPEG file compression reduces the file size by about eighty JPEG file compression reduces the file size by about eighty

percent. This is done by cutting out parts of the graphic that percent. This is done by cutting out parts of the graphic that won’t be noticed by the human eye.won’t be noticed by the human eye.

Multimedia – File TypesMultimedia – File Types Moving imagesMoving images

– Moving images come in two formats, video or animation Moving images come in two formats, video or animation images. Animations are created using animation images. Animations are created using animation software, whereas video images are captured from a software, whereas video images are captured from a video camera.video camera.

– Video files may have one of the following file Video files may have one of the following file extensions:extensions:

.mpeg .mpeg Moving Picture Experts GroupMoving Picture Experts Group .avi.avi Audio Video Interleave Audio Video Interleave

(Microsoft’s Video for Windows standard)(Microsoft’s Video for Windows standard)

– Files saved as MPEG are compressed by cutting out any Files saved as MPEG are compressed by cutting out any unchanged data from the various frames in the video. unchanged data from the various frames in the video. MPEG files are therefore easier to store. MPEG files are therefore easier to store.

– Files saved as .AVI store the audio and video data in a Files saved as .AVI store the audio and video data in a single file and this is not compressed. This limits the single file and this is not compressed. This limits the quality and size of the video to be stored.quality and size of the video to be stored.

Multimedia – File TypesMultimedia – File Types Animation softwareAnimation software

– Animations are a series of still pictures that have a Animations are a series of still pictures that have a slight change in each picture. slight change in each picture.

– They are played very fast so they give the They are played very fast so they give the impression of a moving picture, like a flick book.impression of a moving picture, like a flick book.

– Text, graphs and buttons on web pages as well as Text, graphs and buttons on web pages as well as pictures can all be animated.pictures can all be animated.

Multimedia – File TypesMultimedia – File Types Capturing and storing audioCapturing and storing audio

– The vibration of air creates the sounds we hear. Your The vibration of air creates the sounds we hear. Your eardrum changes these vibrations of air into sound that eardrum changes these vibrations of air into sound that we recognise.we recognise.

– Sound files may have the file extension:Sound files may have the file extension: .wav .wav WAV sound fileWAV sound file .mp3 .mp3 MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3

– Files saved as .WAV are compressed but still have a fairly Files saved as .WAV are compressed but still have a fairly high storage requirement. high storage requirement.

– Files saved as .MP3 compress the file smaller than a .wav Files saved as .MP3 compress the file smaller than a .wav file.file.

Audio compressionAudio compression– Compression of audio files is necessary due to the size of Compression of audio files is necessary due to the size of

raw audio data.raw audio data.– Compressing the sound file means that, because the file is Compressing the sound file means that, because the file is

smaller, it will be quicker to download it.smaller, it will be quicker to download it.

Multimedia – SoftwareMultimedia – Software Multimedia softwareMultimedia software

– Once you have collected a mixture of text, graphic Once you have collected a mixture of text, graphic and audio files you will need to put them together in and audio files you will need to put them together in a format that can be viewed as a presentation.a format that can be viewed as a presentation.

– There are a number of software packages which There are a number of software packages which allow us to create our own multimedia presentation.allow us to create our own multimedia presentation.

Presentation packagesPresentation packages– Presentation packages are application packages Presentation packages are application packages

that allow you to create multimedia presentations. that allow you to create multimedia presentations. – This is done by creating slides or pages, which can This is done by creating slides or pages, which can

include text, sound and graphics.include text, sound and graphics.

Multimedia – SoftwareMultimedia – Software Multimedia authoring packagesMultimedia authoring packages

– Are similar to presentation packages but have better Are similar to presentation packages but have better features for creating your multimedia presentation. features for creating your multimedia presentation.

Desktop publishing packagesDesktop publishing packages– DTP packages use material such as text and graphics that DTP packages use material such as text and graphics that

have already been created and saved to another file. have already been created and saved to another file. – The material already created is imported into the DTP The material already created is imported into the DTP

package, which allows you to lay out your page in any package, which allows you to lay out your page in any format you choose. format you choose.

TemplatesTemplates– Most packages will provide the user with templates, which Most packages will provide the user with templates, which

can be adapted to suit the user’s needs. can be adapted to suit the user’s needs. – Templates are ready-made blank documents with Templates are ready-made blank documents with

placeholders for the insertion of text and graphics.placeholders for the insertion of text and graphics.

Multimedia – SoftwareMultimedia – Software There are many operations that are the same in There are many operations that are the same in

different software packages:different software packages:

Save filesSave files– The computer will write all of the data in your file to the The computer will write all of the data in your file to the

backing storage device.backing storage device.

PrintingPrinting– The computer will send your file to the printer and a hard The computer will send your file to the printer and a hard

copy (printout) will be printed. copy (printout) will be printed.

ColoursColours– you can make the colour of text to make your presentation you can make the colour of text to make your presentation

more interesting.more interesting.

Text/graphic effectsText/graphic effects– A number of applications allow you to alter the effect of A number of applications allow you to alter the effect of

text. text. – You can choose how you wish your text to appear, and You can choose how you wish your text to appear, and

there is a range of options including fading in and out, there is a range of options including fading in and out, dropping in from the top and flashing.dropping in from the top and flashing.

multimedia intermediate i. what is multimedia? in everyday life, multimedia is everything you hear...

Documents

multimedia presentations

multimedia elements

computing multimedia

variety of multimedia

scanned text

input of drawings

computers word processor

ocr software