Multimedia System Design

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.

Categories of Multimedia

1. Linear Multimedia

It is also called Non-interactive multimedia. In the case of linear multimedia, the end-user cannot control the content of the
application. It has literally no interactivity of any kind. Some multimedia projects like movies in which material is thrown in a
linear fashion from beginning to end. A linear multimedia application lacks all the features with 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.

2. Non-Linear Multimedia

In Non-Linear multimedia, 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.

Applications of Multimedia
Multimedia indicates that, in addition to text, graphics/drawings, and photographs, computer information can be represented
using audio, video, and animation. Multimedia is used in:

1. Education

In the subject of education, multimedia is becoming increasingly popular. It is often used to produce study materials for pupils
and to ensure that they have a thorough comprehension of various disciplines. Edutainment, which combines education and
entertainment, has become highly popular in recent years. This system gives learning in the form of enjoyment to the user.

2. Entertainment

The usage of multimedia in films creates a unique auditory and video impression. Today, multimedia has completely transformed
the art of filmmaking around the world. Multimedia is the only way to achieve difficult effects and actions.
The entertainment sector makes extensive use of multimedia. It’s particularly useful for creating special effects in films and video
games. The most visible illustration of the emergence of multimedia in entertainment is music and video apps. Interactive games
become possible thanks to the use of multimedia in the gaming business. Video games are more interesting because of the
integrated audio and visual effects.
3. Business

Marketing, advertising, product demos, presentation, training, networked communication, etc. are applications of multimedia that
are helpful in many businesses. The audience can quickly understand an idea when multimedia presentations are used. It gives a
simple and effective technique to attract visitors’ attention and effectively conveys information about numerous products. It’s also
utilized to encourage clients to buy things in business marketing.

4. Technology & Science

In the sphere of science and technology, multimedia has a wide range of applications. It can communicate audio, films, and other
multimedia documents in a variety of formats. Only multimedia can make live broadcasting from one location to another
possible.
It is beneficial to surgeons because they can rehearse intricate procedures such as brain removal and reconstructive surgery using
images made from imaging scans of the human body. Plans can be produced more efficiently to cut expenses and problems.

5. Fine Arts

Multimedia artists work in the fine arts, combining approaches employing many media and incorporating viewer involvement in
some form. For example, a variety of digital mediums can be used to combine movies and operas.
Digital artist is a new word for these types of artists. Digital painters make digital paintings, matte paintings, and vector graphics
of many varieties using computer applications.

6. Engineering

Multimedia is frequently used by software engineers in computer simulations for military or industrial training. It’s also used for
software interfaces created by creative experts and software engineers in partnership. Only multimedia is used to perform all the
minute calculations.

Components of Multimedia
Multimedia consists of the following 5 components:

1. 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.

2. Graphics

Non-text information, such as a sketch, chart, or photograph, is represented digitally. Graphics add to the appeal of the
multimedia application. 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. The use of visuals in multimedia enhances the effectiveness and presentation of the
concept. Windows Picture, Internet Explorer, and other similar programs are often used to see visuals. Adobe Photoshop is a
popular graphics editing program that allows you to effortlessly change graphics and make them more effective and appealing.
3. 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. A presentation can also be made lighter and more appealing by using
animation. In multimedia applications, the animation is quite popular. The following are some of the most regularly used
animation viewing programs: Fax Viewer, Internet Explorer, etc.

4. Video

Photographic images that appear to be in full motion and are played back at speeds of 15 to 30 frames per second. The term 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.

5. 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. The following programs are widely used to view videos: Real
Player, Window Media Player, etc.

What Is MIDI and What Are MIDI Files?

MIDI is a standardized language for digital music that enables all electronic musical hardware and software to communicate with
one another. Nowadays, your computer's DAW can control a synthesizer made by Oberheim, a drum machine made by AKAI,
and a sequencer made by KORG. This is all possible due to their unified understanding of MIDI files and in-built MIDI input and
MIDI output connectors.

Features:

● MIDI is a standardized language that allows electronic musical hardware and software to communicate with each other,
enabling compatibility between different manufacturers' devices.
● MIDI files are not audio files, but rather contain messages that instruct software instruments or connected hardware on
what to play. They offer benefits such as smaller file sizes and easy editing of parameters.
● MIDI cables are used to connect musical devices together so they can receive and play MIDI files. MIDI Throughput
connectors allow multiple instruments to receive the same MIDI data.

Multimedia Database in DBMS

DBMS Multimedia Database Multimedia database is a collection of multimedia data which includes text, images, graphics
(drawings, sketches), animations, audio, video, among others. These databases have extensive amounts of data which can be
multimedia and multisource. The framework which manages these multimedia databases and their different types so that the data
can be stored, utilized, and delivered in more than one way is known as a multimedia database management system.
The multimedia database can be classified into three types. These types are:

1. Static media
2. Dynamic media
3. Dimensional media

The contents of a multimedia database management system can be:

1. Media data: It is the actual data which represents an object.

2. Media format data: The information such as resolution, sampling rate, encoding system, etc. about the
format of the media data under consideration after is undergoes acquisition, processing, and encoding is the
media format data.
3. Media keyword data: Media keyword data are the keyword description related to the generation of data. This
data is also known as content descriptive data. Examples of content descriptive data are place, time, date of
recording.
4. Media feature data: Media feature data contains data which is content dependent such as kind of texture,
distribution of, and the different shapes present in the data.

The types of multimedia applications that are based on the data management characteristics are:

1. Repository applications: An extensive amount of multimedia data stored along with metadata for retrieval
purposes.
2. Presentation applications: These involve the delivery of multimedia data subject to the temporal constraint.
An optimal viewing or listening experience requires DBMS to deliver the data at a certain rate which offers
the quality of service, which is above a particular threshold. This data is processed as it is being delivered.
3. Collaborative work using multimedia information: It involves the execution of a complex task by merging
drawings and changing notifications.

This still leads to a number of challenges to multimedia databases. These are:

1. Modeling: Work in this area can improve the database versus information retrieval techniques.
2. Design: The physical, conceptual, and logical design of multimedia databases is not addressed entirely leading
to performance and tuning issues.
3. Storage: The storage of databases on a standard disc can lead to problems like representation, mapping to disc
hierarchies, compression, etc.
4. Performance: Audio-video synchronization and audio playback applications are where physical limitations
dominate. Parallel processing can reduce these problems, but these techniques have not been completely
developed yet. Multimedia databases also consume a lot of processing power and bandwidth.
 5. Queries and Retrieval: Multimedia such as images, audio, video lead to retrieval and queries issues such as
efficient query formation, query execution, etc.

Multimedia Database Applications:

1. Documents and record management: Industries which keep a lot of documentation and records. Ex:
Insurance claim industry.
2. Knowledge dissemination: Multimedia database is an extremely efficient tool for knowledge dissemination
and providing several resources. Ex: electronic books
3. Education and training: Multimedia sources can be used to create resources useful in education and training.
These are popular sources of learning in recent days. Ex: Digital libraries.
4. Real-time monitoring and control: Multimedia presentation when coupled with active database technology
can be an effective means for controlling and monitoring complex tasks. Ex: Manufacture control
5. Marketing
6. Advertisement
7. Retailing
8. Entertainment
9. Travel