THE TERM MEDIA

• As with most generic words, the meaning of the word media varies with the
context in which it is used. Our definition of medium is “A means to
distribute and represent information.” Media are, for example, text, graphics,
pictures, voice, sound, and music.
MULTIMEDIA

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
• Text
Characters are used to form words, phrases, and paragraphs in the text. Text appears in all
multimedia creations of some kind. The text can be in a variety of fonts and sizes to match the
multimedia software’s professional presentation. Text in multimedia systems can communicate
specific information or serve as a supplement to the information provided by the other media.
• Graphics
Non-text information, such as a sketch, chart, or photograph, is represented digitally. In many
circumstances, people dislike reading big amounts of material on computers. As a result, pictures
are more frequently used than words to clarify concepts, offer background information, and so
on. Graphics are at the heart of any multimedia presentation. Windows Picture, Internet Explorer,
and other similar programs are often used to see visuals. Adobe Photoshop is a popular graphics
editing program.
• Animations
A sequence of still photographs is being flipped through. It’s a set of visuals that give
the impression of movement. Animation is the process of making a still image appear
to move. The following are some of the most regularly used animation viewing
programs: Fax Viewer, Internet Explorer, etc.
• Video
Photographic images that appear to be in full motion and are played back at speeds of
15 to 30 frames per second. “Video” refers to a moving image that is accompanied by
sound, such as a television picture. Of course, text can be included in videos, either as
captioning for spoken words or as text embedded in an image, as in a slide
presentation. The following programs are widely used to view videos: Real Player,
Window Media Player, etc.
• Audio
Any sound, whether it’s music, conversation, or something else. Sound is the most
serious aspect of multimedia, delivering the joy of music, special effects, and other forms
of entertainment. Decibels are a unit of measurement for volume and sound pressure
level. Audio files are used as part of the application context as well as to enhance
interaction. Audio files must occasionally be distributed using plug-in media players
when they appear within online applications and webpages. MP3, WMA, Wave, MIDI,
and RealAudio are examples of audio formats.
 CATEGORIES OF MULTIMEDIA
• Linear Multimedia
also called Non-interactive multimedia. In linear multimedia, the end-user cannot control
the content of the application. A linear multimedia application lacks all the features with the
help of which, a user can interact with the application such as the ability to choose different
options, click on icons, control the flow of the media, or change the pace at which the media
is displayed. Linear multimedia works very well for providing information to a large group of
people such as at training sessions, seminars, workplace meetings, etc.
• Non-Linear Multimedia
Here the end-user is allowed the navigational control to rove through multimedia content at
his own desire. The user can control the access of the application. Non-linear offers user
interactivity to control the movement of data. For example, computer games, websites, self-
paced computer-based training packages, etc.
 TYPES OF MEDIA
Media

Perception Representation Presentation Transmission Information

media Storage Media exchange
media media Media

How do humans perceive

information?
How is information encoded
in the computer?
Which medium is used to output
Which medium is used to
information from the computer
transmit data?
or input in the computer?
Where is information Which data medium is
stored? used to exchange information
between different locations?
Perception media

• Perception media refers to the nature of information perceived by

humans.
• For example, a still image and a movie convey information of a
different nature, though stimulating the same sense.
• We distinguish primarily between what we see and what we hear.
Auditory media include music, sound, and voice. Visual media
include text, graphics, and still and moving pictures.
Representation media

• representation media refers to how information is represented internally to the

computer. The encoding used is of essential importance.
• Each character of a piece of text is encoded in ascii.
• An audio data stream is available in simple pcm encoding and a linear quantize
• A single image is encoded as group-3 facsimile or in JPEG format
PRESENTATION MEDIA

• The term presentation media refers to the physical means used by

systems to reproduce information for humans. For example, a TV set
uses a cathode-ray tube and loudspeaker.
• We distinguish primarily between output and input. Media such as
paper, computer monitors, and loudspeakers are output media, while
keyboards, cameras, and microphones are input media.
STORAGE MEDIA

The term storage media is often used in computing to refer

to various physical means for storing computer data, such as
magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, or digital optical disks.
However, data storage is not limited to the components
available in a computer, which means that paper is also
considered a storage medium.
TRANSMISSION MEDIA

transmission media refers to the physical means - cables of various

types, radio tower, satellite, or ether (the medium that transmit radio
waves)-that allow the transmission of telecommunication signals.
INFORMATION EXCHANGE MEDIA

• Information exchange media include all data media used to transport

information, e.G., All storage and transmission media.
• For example, information can be exchanged by storing it on a
removable medium and transporting the medium from one location to
another. These storage media include microfilms, paper, and floppy
disks. Information can also be exchanged directly, if transmission
media such as coaxial cables, optical fibers, or radio waves are used.
PRESENTATION SPACE
• Paper or computer monitors are examples of visual presentation spaces.
• A computer-controlled slide show that projects a screen’s content over the
entire projection screen is a visual presentation space. Stereophony and
quadrophony define acoustic presentation spaces.
• Presentation spaces are part of the above-described presentation media used to
output information
PRESENTATION VALUES

• Representation values are the actual information representation of a media.

• Text is a medium that represents a sentence visually as a sequence of
characters.
• Voice is a medium that represents information acoustically in the form of
pressure waves.
• In some media, the presentation values cannot be interpreted correctly by
humans. Examples include temperature, taste, and smell.
• Other media require a predefined set of symbols we have to learn to be able to
understand this information. This class includes text, voice, and gestures.
KEY PROPERTIES OF A MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM
• Multimedia systems involve several fundamental notions.
• They must be computer-controlled. Thus, a computer must be involved at least
in the presentation of the information to the user.
• They are integrated, that is, they use a minimal number of different devices.
• The use of a single computer screen to display all types of visual information.
They must support media independence.
• And lastly, they need to handle discrete and continuous media.
 DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS MEDIA
Discrete Media
• Media that consist of separate, individual elements.
• Nature: They do not change continuously with time.
• Examples:
• Text
• Graphics or images
• Still pictures

• Explanation:
For example, a text document has letters and words stored as separate symbols, and an image has pixels
arranged in a grid — both do not vary over time.
 DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS MEDIA

Continues media
• Media that are time-dependent and change continuously over time.
• Nature: They require continuous playback to maintain meaning.
• Examples:
• Audio (sound, speech, music)
• Video (moving pictures)
• Animation

• Explanation:
For instance, in a video or sound file, frames or samples must be presented in the correct time order to
make sense; if the timing breaks, the meaning is lost.
INTEGRATION

Integration in multimedia means combining different types of media

such as text, images, audio, video, and animation into a single, unified
presentation or application.
Why it is important:
• Helps present information more clearly and attractively.
• Makes learning or communication more effective and interactive.
• Allows different media to support each other for better
understanding.
INDEPENDENT MEDIA
Each type of media (text, image, sound, etc.) can exist and be used separately,
without depending on the timing or order of another media.
Example:
• You can show text and graphics together on a slide — they don’t need to be played
at the same time or speed.
• But video and its sound are not independent — the sound must match the video
timing.

In short: Independent media = no time link between elements.

 COMPUTER-CONTROLLED SYSTEMS
A computer-controlled system manages and synchronizes all media elements — text,
sound, images, video, and animation — so they work together smoothly.

Reasons:
Synchronization: Keeps audio, video, and animation in correct timing.
User Control: Allows interaction such as play, pause, skip, or choosing what to view.
Integration: Combines different media types into one unified presentation.
Automation: Computers can automatically run slideshows, games, or simulations.
Analog and Digital Signal Conversion

Analog: continuous signals must be converted or digitized

for computer processing.

Digital: discrete digital signals that computer can readily

deal with.
 Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

Analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) is an electronic process in which a continuously

variable, or analog, signal is changed into a multilevel digital signal without altering its
essential content.

Take analog signals from analog sensor (e.g. microphone) and digitally sample data
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)
A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) converts a digital input signal into an analog output
signal.

• Takes digital signal, possible after modification by computer (e.g. volume change, equalization)
• Outputs an analog signal that may be played by analog output device (e.g. loudspeaker, CRT
display)
Analog-to-Digital-to-Analog Pipeline
Thank You