1. Multimedia Hardware Mac vs. PC
Chapter 9
Multimedia Hardware
Mac vs. PC

2. Overview Macintosh versus Windows platform.
Networking Macintosh and Windows computers.
Connections.
Memory.
Storage devices.
Input and output devices.
Communication devices.

3. Which Platform Mac or PC?
Select platform based on
Personal preference
Budget constraints
Project delivery requirements
Type and content of project materials
Availability to target audience

4. Mac versus Windows The Macintosh platform:
Was launched by Apple in 1984.
Has a good built-in audio and high-quality graphics capability.
Includes hardware and software for digitizing and editing video and producing DVD discs.
Makes multimedia project development easier and smoother.

5. Mac versus Windows The Windows platform:
Is a collection of different vendor-neutral components that are tied together by the requirements of the Windows operating system.
Initially focused on business computing and was not suitable for multimedia. However, it is now easier to find multimedia hardware and software for Windows as compared to the Macintosh.

6. MAC vs. PC Macintosh PC Since 1984 has been multimedia
Good built-in audio
Easy to learn GUI PC
Intended for business
System beeps and tiny, tinny speaker
DOS screen- command driven
Since late 1980’s provides multimedia
capabilities

7. Macintosh Platform All Macs can play sound
Latest include hardware for digitizing sound
8/16/24 bit graphics available
Can digitize both sound and video
Requires a mouse

8. Macintosh Platform Power Mac
Higher performance than existing Pentium based windows machines

9. Windows Multimedia PCs
MPC Standard- manufacturers guarantee that software written to
the MPC standard (labeled MPC compliant) will play on their machines.
Three levels of minimum requirements: MPC1, MPC2, MPC3

10. Windows Multimedia PCs
1990- Level 1 ( MPC1)
16 MHz, 386SX, 2MB RAM, 30 MB drive
CD-ROM, VGA video ( 16 colors)
8 bit audio board, speakers/headphones
MS Windows with Multimedia Extensions package
Not powerful enough to develop Multimedia
Hardly powerful enough to play it

11. Windows Multimedia PCs
1993- Level 2 ( MPC2)
25 MHz, 486SX, 4MB RAM, 160 MB drive
2xCD-ROM, VGA/SVGA video
16 bit audio board, speakers/headphones, microphone

12. Windows Multimedia PCs
1995- Level 3 (MPC3)
75 MHz, Pentium, 8 MB RAM, 540 MB drive
4xCD- ROM, MPG support
MPEG1 video playback
Full motion video ( in small window)
with TV quality
CD quality sound

13. Networking LANs- local area networks
Located within short distances ( such as a campus, or building)
Allow sharing of resources such as printers
Ethernet for cross-platform development
WANs- wide area networks
Used for long distances
More expensive to install and maintain
ISPs like AOL, MSN make it available and affordable

14. Networking Mac and Windows
Networking is essential for direct communication and sharing of resources across platforms.
Local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet connections provide connectivity and networking capabilities.

15. Networking
In a LAN, workstations are located within a short distance. They are relatively less expensive.
In a WAN, communication systems span great distances and are typically set up and managed by large corporations. They are expensive to install and maintain.
A dial-up connection to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) also enables communication.

16. Networking
To establish communication between a Macintosh and Windows PC, install Ethernet system and client-server software.
Ethernet is a method of wiring up computers.
Client/server software is required for communication and transfer of files.
Macintosh computers have built-in Ethernet networking, while Windows PCs require an additional Ethernet card.

17. Networking
Client/server software enables computers to communicate through an ISP
PCs
Need ethernet cards
Usually run TCP/IP
Need MACLAN to communicate with MAC
MACs
Have ethernet built in
Usually run Appletalk
Need DAVE to communicate with PC

18. Memory
Sufficient memory must be allocated for storing and archiving files.
Memory requirements of a multimedia project depend on the project's content and scope.
The two types of memory are random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).

19. Memory and Storage Devices
RAM
ROM
Floppy and Hard Disks
Zip, Jaz and Syquest
Zip – 100MB
Jaz – 1 GB
Optical Storage CD, CD-R, etc.)
DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) upto 1GB
DVD-video
DVD-ROM

20. Input Devices Keyboards Mice and Trackballs Touchscreens
Magnetic Card Encoders and Readers
Graphic Tablets
Scanners
Optical Code Recognition (OCR)Devices
Infrared remotes
Voice Recognition Systems
Digital Cameras
Lightpens

21. Output Hardware Audio Devices Amplifiers and Speakers Monitors
Video Devices
Projectors
CRT – cathode ray tube
LCD – liquid crystal display
Printers
Injet
laser

22. Summary
Macintosh and Windows are the two most common hardware platforms used in multimedia.
LANs, WANs, Ethernet, and client-server software facilitate communication and connectivity among computers.
Storage devices include floppy disks, hard disks, Zip drives, Jaz drives, MO drives, DVDs, and CD-ROMs.

23. Summary
Input devices include keyboards, mice, trackballs, touchscreens, graphic tablets, scanners, OCR (optical character recognition) devices, infrared remotes, voice recognition software, and digital cameras.
Output devices include audio devices, speakers, amplifiers, monitors, video devices, projectors, and printers.
Communication devices include modems, ISDN lines, and cable modems.