Multimedia and component

 Multimedia

What is Multimedia?

➢ The word multi and media are combined to form the word multimedia. The word “multi” signifies “many.” Multimedia is a type of medium that allows information to be easily transferred from one location to another.

➢ Multimedia is the presentation of text, pictures, audio, and video with links and tools that allow the user to navigate, engage, create, and communicate using a computer.

➢ Multimedia refers to the computer-assisted integration of text, drawings, still and moving images(videos) graphics, audio, animation, and any other media in which any type of information can be expressed, stored, communicated, and processed digitally.

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 perfect way for teaching. Audio are of analog and digital types. Analog audio or 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. Digital video is useful in multimedia application for showing real life objects. Video have highest performance demand on the computer memory and on the bandwidth if placed on the internet. Digital video files can be stored like any other files in the computer and the quality of the video can still be maintained. The digital video files can be transferred within a computer network. The digital video clips can be edited easily.

● 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.   

Applications of Multimedia

      Following are the common areas of applications of multimedia.

● Multimedia in Business- Multimedia can be used in many applications in a business. Today the team members may be working anywhere and can work for various companies. Thus the work place will become global. 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

● Multimedia in Marketing and Advertising- By using multimedia marketing of new products can be greatly enhanced. Multimedia boost communication on an affordable cost opened the way for the marketing and advertising personnel.Presentation that have flying banners, video transitions, animations, and sound effects are some of the elements used in composing a multimedia based advertisement to appeal to the consumer in a way never used before and promote the sale of the products.

● Multimedia in Entertainment- By using multimedia marketing of new products can be greatly enhanced. Multimedia boost communication on an affordable cost opened the way for the marketing and advertising personnel.Presentation that have flying banners, video transitions, animations, and sound effects.

● Multimedia in Education- Many computer games with focus on education are now available. Consider an example of an educational game which plays various rhymes for kids. The child can paint the pictures, increase reduce size of various objects etc apart from just playing the rhymes.Several other multimedia packages are available in the market which provide a lot of detailed information and playing capabilities to kids.

● Multimedia in Bank- Bank is another public place where multimedia is finding more and more application in recent times. Today on-line and internet banking have become very popular. These use multimedia extensively.Multimedia is thus helping banks give service to their customers and also in educating them about banks attractive finance schemes.

● Multimedia in Hospital- Multimedia best use in hospitals is for real time monitoring of conditions of patients in critical illness or accident. The conditions are displayed continuously on a computer screen and can alert the doctor/nurse on duty if any changes are observed on the screen. Multimedia makes it possible to consult a surgeon or an expert who can watch an ongoing surgery line on his PC monitor and give online advice at any crucial juncture.In hospitals multimedia can also be used to diagnose an illness with CD-ROMs/ Cassettes/ DVDs full of multimedia based information about various diseases and their treatment.Some hospitals extensively use multimedia presentations in training their junior staff of doctors and nurses. Multimedia displays are now extensively used during critical surgeries.

● Communication Technology and Multimedia Services- The advancement of high computing abilities, communication ways and relevant standards has started the beginning of an era where you will be provided with multimedia facilities at home.

 These services may include:

1. Basic Television Services
2. Interactive entertainment
3. Digital Audio
4. Video on demand
5. Home shopping
6. Financial Transactions
7.  Interactive multiplayer or single player games
8. Digital multimedia libraries
9. E-newspapers, e-magazines

Author Spotlight

Santosh Chapagain
Gmail: chapagainsantoshcs@gmail.com
Phone no: +977-9863512955