lesson 23 Understanding Multimedia

This lesson includes the following sections: Multimedia, Interactivity, and New Media Information in Layers and Dimensions Hardware Considerations for Multimedia Applications for Multimedia

Multimedia Interactivity New Media and Digital Convergence Multimedia, Interactivity, and New Media Defined

A medium is a way of conveying information. Speech is one medium, text is another. There are many kinds of unique media. ("Media" is the plural of "medium.") Multimedia is the use of more than one type of medium at the same time to convey a message or information. A lecture presented along with slides is an example of a simple multimedia event. Multimedia, Interactivity, and New Media Defined - Multimedia

Like television, a PC can present many media types simultaneously. For example, text, animation, music, and narration can all play at one time. TV is not interactive; it only delivers content. The PC enables the use of interactive multimedia such as games and reference products. Interactivity means that the user and program respond to one another. The program provides an ever-changing array of choices, which the user selects to direct the flow of the program. Multimedia, Interactivity, and New Media Defined - Interactivity

"New media" is a term that encompasses all types of interactive multimedia technologies. New media bring together not only multimedia content, but delivery technologies such as cable, telephone lines, networks, and the Internet. New media is based on the concept of digital convergence, which means many different technologies can be used together to deliver different types of content in one digital stream. Multimedia, Interactivity, and New Media Defined - New Media and Digital Convergence

The Importance of Content Hypermedia and Navigation Information in Layers and Dimensions

The purpose of multimedia is to make information (content) more interesting, compelling, or enjoyable, as well as easy to navigate. Multimedia technologies give users choices of the type of content that is presented, and the manner in which it is presented. Regardless of the technologies used in multimedia, the primary focus is on providing high-quality content. Information in Layers and Dimensions - The Importance of Content

The process of moving through electronic information is called navigation. Well designed multimedia products provide a variety of methods for the user to navigate and choose content. Multimedia navigation is based on “hypermedia”. Hypermedia allows different types of content to be linked together. By choosing a hyperlink, WWW users jump to a new web page or multimedia feature. Information in Layers and Dimensions - Hypermedia and Navigation

REWIND BACK 1 STOP PAUSE ADV.1 PLAY F-FWD external links Navigation buttons for embedded media on this site

Most new PCs are multimedia-capable, featuring all the hardware required to play back multimedia content. To play multimedia content, a PC needs (at the very least) a sound card, speakers, and a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. A large hard disk and lots of RAM are also helpful. New PCs must meet requirements set in the PC 97 or PC 99 standard to be considered multimedia-compliant. Hardware Considerations for Multimedia

In the School In the Workplace In the Home Applications for Multimedia

Many types of multimedia tools are being used in schools, from CD-based reference products, to games, to online collaboration. Distance learning technologies allow schools to provide courses online, over the Internet. These online learning environments are called virtual universities. Applications for Multimedia - In the School

Companies are increasingly using multimedia for sales, marketing, and training. Using computer-based training (CBT) products, companies can quickly and cost-effectively teach employees new skills. Because multimedia content can be distributed over the Web, many companies have developed online outlets which enable customers to view and purchase products from their PC. Applications for Multimedia – In the Workplace

Reference materials Self-help and instruction Entertainment In the home, multimedia products are used largely for the following purposes: Applications for Multimedia - In the Home

Define multimedia, interactivity, and new media. Explain how different types of media are used to create multimedia events. List three essential hardware components for a multimedia-capable PC. Name four specific uses for multimedia products. lesson 23 Review