Subject: Computer Science / General Education / Nursing Informatics
Best for: Students learning computer fundamentals and digital tools
Definition of Multimedia
Multimedia is a representation of information in an attractive and interactive
manner with the use of a combination of text, audio, video, graphics and
animation.
Or
Mult Multimedia is a computerized method of presenting information combining
textual data, audio, visuals (video), graphics and animations.
Or
Multimedia can be defined as any application that combines text with graphics,
animation, audio, video, and/or virtual reality.
Definition of multimedia computer system
A multimedia computer system is a computer system that can create, import,
integrate, store, retrieve, edit, and delete two or more types of media materials in
digital form, such as audio, image, full-motion video, and text information.
Components of Multimedia
Following are the common components of multimedia:
• Text- All multimedia productions contain some amount of text. The text can
have various types of fonts and sizes to suit the profession presentation of
the multimedia software.
• Graphics- Graphics make the multimedia application attractive. In many
cases people do not like reading large amount of textual matter on the
screen. Therefore, graphics are used more often than text to explain a
, concept, present background information etc. There are two types of
Graphics:
• Bitmap images- Bitmap images are real images that can be captured
from devices such as digital cameras or scanners. Generally, bitmap
images are not editable. Bitmap images require a large amount of
memory.
• Vector Graphics- Vector graphics are drawn on the computer and
only require a small amount of memory. These graphics are editable.
• Audio- A multimedia application may require the use of speech,
music and sound effects. These are called audio or sound element of
multimedia. Speech is also a sound refers to the original sound signal.
Computer stores the sound in digital form. Therefore, the sound used
in multimedia application is digital audio.
• Video-The term video refers to the moving picture, accompanied by
sound such as a picture in television. Video element of multimedia
application gives a lot of information in small duration of time
• Animation- Animation is a process of making a static image look like
it is moving. An animation is just a continuous series of still images
that are displayed in a sequence. The animation can be used
effectively for attracting attention. Animation also makes a
presentation light and attractive. Animation is very popular in
multimedia application.
There are five forms of animation such as-
i. Traditional animation
ii. 2D animation
iii. 3D animation
iv. Motion graphics
v. Stop motion
, Applications/Uses of Multimedia
A. Multimedia in Business- Multimedia can be used in many applications in a
business. The multimedia network should support the following facilities:
• Voice Mail
• Electronic Mail
• Multimedia based FAX
• Office Needs
• Employee Training
• Sales and Other types of Group Presentation
• Records Management
B. Multimedia in Marketing and Advertising- By using multimedia marketing
of new products can be greatly enhanced.
• Flying banners
• Video transitions
• Animations
• Sound effects
C. Multimedia in Entertainment
• Flying banners
• Video transitions
• Animations
• Sound effects
D. Multimedia in Education
• Audiovisual learning
• Audiovisual teaching
• Picture & videos