1. Define multimedia and multimedia element? Explain it.

(10 Marks)
Multimedia is nothing but the processing and presenting of information in a more structured and understandable manner using more than one media such as text, graphics, animation, audio and video. Computer is an essential part in multimedia. All the elements in multimedia have to be in digital format. Elements of Multimedia Multimedia system consists of several elements such as sound, graphics, text, animation and video. Audio The word audio is slightly differing from sound. Audio consist of the sound we can hear Audio is one of the most successful elements of any multimedia presentation The impact of sound set the mood and establishes the ambience of a presentation Text Out of all of the elements, text has the most impact on the quality of the multimedia interaction. Generally, text provides the important information. Text acts as the keystone tying all of the other media elements together. It is well written text that makes a multimedia communication wonderful. Sound Sound is used to provide emphasis or highlight a transition from one page to another. Sound synchronized to screen display, enables teachers to present lots of information at once. This approach is used in a variety of ways, all based on visual display of a complex image paired with a spoken explanation (for example, art pictures are glossed by the voiceover; or math a proof fills the screen while the spoken explanation plays in the background). Sound used creatively, becomes a stimulus to the imagination; used inappropriately it becomes a hindrance or an annoyance. For instance, a script, some still images and a sound track, allow students to utilize their own power of imagination without being biased and influenced by the inappropriate use of video footage. A great advantage is that the sound file can be stopped and started very easily. Video The representation of information by using the visualization capabilities of video can be immediate and powerful. While this is not in doubt, it is the ability to choose how we view, and interact, with the content of digital video that provides new and exc iting possibilities for the use of digital video in education. There are many instances where students, studying particular processes, may find themselves faced with a scenario that seems highly complex when conveyed

in purely text form, or by the use of diagrams and images. In such situations the representational qualities of video help in placing a theoretical concept into context. Video can stimulate interest if it is relevant to the rest of the information on the page, and is not overdone. Video can be used to give examples of phenomena or issues referred to in the text. For example, while students are reading notes about a particular issue, a video showing a short clip of the author/teacher emphasizing the key points can be inserted at a key moment; alternatively, the video clips can be used to tell readers what to do next. On the other hand, it is unlikely that video can completely replace the face-to-face lecture: rather, video needs to be used to supplement textual information. One of the most compelling justifications for video may be its dramatic ability to elicit an emotional response from an individual. Such a reaction can provide a strong motivational incentive to choose and persist in a task. The use of video is appropriate to convey information about environments that can be either dangerous or too costly to consider, or recreate, in real life. For example: video images used to demonstrate particular chemical reactions without exposing students to highly volatile chemicals, or medical education, where real-life situations can be better understood via video. Animation Animation is used to show changes in state over time, or to present information slowly to students so they have time to assimilate it in smaller chunks. Animations, when combined with user input, enable students to view different versions of change over time depending on different variables. Animations are primarily used to demonstrate an idea or illustrate a concept. Video is usually taken from life, whereas animations are based on drawings. There are two types of animation: Cell based and Object based. Cell based animation consists of multiple drawings, each one a little different from the others. When shown in rapid sequence, for example, the operation of an engines crankshaft, the drawings appear to move. Object based animation (also called slide or path animation) simply moves an object across a screen. The object itself does not change. Students can use object animation to illustrate a point imagine a battle map of Gettysburg where troop movement is represented by sliding arrows. Graphics Graphics provide the most creative possibilities for a learning session. They can be photographs, drawings, graphs from a spreadsheet, pictures from CD-ROM, or something pulled from the Internet. With a scanner, hand-drawn work can be included. Standing commented that, the capacity of recognition memory for pictures is almost limitless. The reason for this is that images make use of a massive range of cortical skills: color, form, line, dimension, texture, visual rhythm, and especially imagination.

2. Explain about categories of multimedia. (10 Marks)

Linear and nonlinear Multimedia may be broadly divided into linear and non-linear categories. Linear active content progresses without any navigation control for the viewer such as a cinema presentation. Non linear content offers user interactivity to control progress as used with a computer game or used in self-paced computer based training. Hypermedia is an example of non -linear content. Multimedia presentations can be live or recorded. A recorded presentation may allow interactivity via a navigation system. A live multimedia presentation may allow interactivity via an interaction with the presenter or performer. Linear Multimedia: A non-interactive form of multimedia in which a project starts at a beginning and runs through to the end. Conventional "television" is essentially "linear multimedia" (although switching channels could be said to involve interactivity). However, there is no ability for the end user to control when elements are to be delivered. Some multimedia projects are like television in that they present material in a linear fashion from beginning to end. Nonlinear Multimedia: When the end user is given navigational control to wander through multimedia content at will. The user can control what is seen and when it will be seen. Interactive and non-interactive Interactive Multimedia: When the multimedia user is allowed to control what elements are to be delivered and when they are to be delivered. Interactive multimedia applications include Internet telephony, Internet video-conferencing, Internet collaboration, Internet gaming, etc. Non-Interactive Multimedia: A multimedia project in which text, graphics, sound and moving video come to the end user without any opportunity for interactivity. The end user simply watches what is delivered without being able to choose among options. Real time Real time Multimedia: Real-time multimedia refers to applications in which multimedia data has to be delivered and rendered in real time; it can be broadly classified into interactive multimedia and streaming media. Multimedia is a term that describes multiple forms of information, including audio, video, graphics, animation, images, text, etc. The best examples are continuous media such as animation, audio and video that are time-based, i.e., each audio sample or video frame has a timestamp associated with it, representing its presentation time. Multimedia data has to be presented in a continuous fashion, in accordance with their associated timestamp. For example, video is typically rendered at 30 frames per second to give the viewers the illusion of smooth motion. As a result, multimedia applications typically have the real-time constraint, i.e., media data has to be delivered and rendered in real time.

created, including nternet telephony, nternet videoconferencing, nternet collaboration that combines video, audio and whiteboard, nternet TV, on demand streaming or broadc asting, distance learning, distributed simulation, entertainment and gaming, multimedia messaging, etc.

3. Expl in in b i f bout An lo

nd i it l Si n l. (10 Marks

There has always been debates on whether high uality cables and more expensive!) will this uestion is dependent on whether the signal is analog or digital.

s an analog or digital signal travels down a cable, it is constantly bombarded by

electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic nterference E cable has proper shielding, E noise on the signal.

) comes from many sources including

over-the-air television, radio, and cell phone signals, as well as the wiring in your house. Unless a

waves hitting a cable can generate a small current to produce

The diagram above shows how noise will affect analog signals far more than digital signals. This is because digital signals are either on or off. n low voltage signals, this usually means 5 Volts on) or Volts off). There is no affect by the small change in noise voltage from E . or example, E can reduce 5 Volts to 4.6 Volts. digital device will take the 4.6 Volts and interpret it as its original 5 Volts. n the other hand, an analog signal would not do any conversion, and would incorrectly read the voltage as 4.6 Volts. ake sure your cables that carry high-frequency analog signals are properly shielded to block out any E noise. ables that carry digital signals should still be shielded, but high quality shielding is not as important as in analog signal cables for cable lengths under 1 feet only). nalog ignal: 1.Analog signal are continuous. .The primary disadvantage of an analog signal is noise. 2.Analog signal is continuously variable. 4.Sound waves are a continuous wave and as such are analog in the real world. 5.Analog signal required lesser bandwidth capacity than digital capacity. igital Signal: 1.Digital signal is discrete. 2.Digital signal are based on 's and 1's. .Noise is much easier to filter out of a digital signal. 4.Most computer used such as the P work using digital signals. 5.Digital signal required greater bandwidth capacity than analog signals.

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transmit higher uality video/audio than its cheaper counterparts.

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4. List out different kind of Multimedia File Formats . (15 Marks)

a. c. Audio Format Image Format

b. Video format d. Text Format Audio Formats The most common audio format is wave file (.wav), mpeg layer 3(mp3) and aiff (audio interchange file format. Common streaming audio format included windows media Audio (.wma)/active streaming format (.asf), Quick time, Real Audio and mp3. The Format types are also represented by the file extension. Codec determines the way the audio file is compressed and stored. Audio Format Au Wav Aiff Mpeg Mp3 Windows media Audio Quick time Real Audio Extension .au .wav .aiff, .aiif Mp (.aac) .mp3 .wma .Qt .ra, .ram Codec .u-Law .pcm .pcm Mpeg Audio Mpeg Audio Layer 3 Microsoft Apple Computer Real Network Characteristics Small bit in size 8 it encoded 6 bit encoding High quality than Au Support on windows Wav Comparable Sound quality 8 (or) 6 bit Samplings. Good sound quality Good Sound quality than mp Design with (DRM) Digital Right Manager Support both streaming audio and streaming video Support both streaming audio/ video

Video Formats Common video formats are .avi (Audio Video Interleave), .mpeg (Moving picture expert group) and quick time. Movies involve audio and video. The file sizes are very large. Quick time files consumes almost 0kb/s of video encoding or about Mb/m. some common streaming video formats include Xing MP G video. Video Format

avi

MP G

MOV

ASF (Advance System Format) wmv (Window Media Audio)

RM (Real Media)

5 3

6 3

6 3

MP G (Moving Picture expert Group)

Characteristics ncompressed result High quality video Larger files Support on windows ntire file must be downloaded before being played Better quality Video Storage rate is .8/min MP G is used to make a one hour VCD movie. Produce full Motion Video with relatively small size. Include Many Features of MP G , MP G and other related standards. New Features include extended VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language). Requires Apple Quick Time Movie Player Run on MAC Platform (OS). Relatively large files. Depend on Comparison it can provide a very high video clip. Audio/Video Content can be compressed with a wide variety of codecs. Require window Media Player to be installed in client. Very high Compression, but at a cost of quality. Requires real networks real player to play the contents.

3 3

Image File Format Image File Format BMP(Bit Map Images) GIF (Graphical Interchange Format) JP G (Join Photograph xpert Group) JP G 000 PCX (Personal Computer xchange) TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) TIFF (LZW) (Lempel-Zlv-Weic) PNG (Portable Network Graphics) Major Features bits (or) 6. Million Colors (RGB).

bit total for red, green and blue Produces relatively small file sizes. Developed to achieve a better image quality in a smaller file. Not widely supported in web browsers. bits (or) 6. Million Colors. Image Format that normally saves 8, 6, (or) 8 bits. Gray Scale 8 or 6 bits. Line art (bi-level) bit. Internally used in windows. Not Compressed. RGB (or) 8bits indexed color to 8 bits.

Text Format Text is the most widely used and flexible means of presenting information on screen and conveying ideas. The designer should not necessarily try to replace textual elements with pictures or sound, but should consider how to present text in an acceptable way and supplementing it with other media. For a public system, where the eyesight of its users will vary display of large amounts of text and will find it hard to scan. To present tourist information about a hotel, for example, information should be presented concisely under clear separate headings such as location, services available, prices, contact details etc. Conventional upper and lower case text should be used for the presentation since reading is faster compared to all upper case text. All upper case can be used if a text item has to attract attention as in warnings and alarm messages. The length of text lines should be no longer than around 60 characters to achieve optimal reading speed. Only one third of a display should be filled with text. Proportional spacing and ragged lines also minimizes unpleasant visual effects. point text is the practical minimum point or higher for screens of poorer to adopt for PC based screens, with the use of resolution than a normal desktop PC If the users do not have their vision corrected for VD use e.g. the public. It is recommended that text of 6 point is preferred if it is to be usable by people with visual impairments. Sentences should be short and concise and not be split over pages. Technical expressions should be used only where the user is familiar with them from their daily routine, and should be made as understandable as possible e.g. "You are now contacting with Paul Andrews" rather than "Connection to Multipoint Control nit". The number of abbreviations used in an application should be kept to a minimum. They should be used only when the abbreviation is routinely used and where the shorter words lead to a reduction of information density. Abbreviations should be used in a consistent way throughout an entire

considerably, a clear reasonably large font should be used.

sers will also be put off by the

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multimedia application. An explanation of the abbreviations used in the system should be readily available to the user through on-line help facilities or at least through written documentation.

5. Explain about Multi

1. Producer

dia Produ tion t am and th ir work. (15 Marks

2. Multimedia Designer/Creative Designer . Subject Matter Expert

4. Programmer 5. nstructional Designer

7. Computer

. Audio Video Specialist eb Master

Programmer

Projec

WUVUT S

1. Define the scope of the project 2. Discuss with the client . Search for the financial resources

4. Search for equipment 5. Search for facilities 6. Co-ordinate the team

9.

er

6. Script

riter raphics Artist

Project Manager

Subject Matter Expert

Instructional Designer

A/V Techinician

Graphic Artist

ED

H R X

Subject Matter Expert 1. Doing Research by interviewing . Doing research by reading books

3. Search for contents

Graphic artist 1. Create the attractive background . 3D objects

3. Create logos

6. Photo collections

Audio Vide Expert 1. Recording Audio . diting Audio

3. diting Video Instructional Designer 1. ducational strategies . ducational Practices

Programmers 1. Writes program code lines (or) scripts using the authoring tools. . Combine the multimedia elements

Web Master 1. Create and maintain the website . Integrate the Multimedia elements into a web page

c Y

c Y

Y Y Y Y ` ` a

. Provide contents

. Work and create buttons

. Work with animation

3. Handle the inquiries and feed

6. What is streaming media? Explain it. (10 Marks)

Streaming media is a technology that enables you to include audio, video and other multimedia elements that visitors to your website will be able to listen to or view immediately without having to download the file to their own computer. Streaming Media typically consist of audio only, video with audio or any combination of audio, illustrated audio, video, synchronized graphics or animation. How does streaming media work? Audio, video and other media files are specially formatted and placed on a streaming server. A link on a web page, the contents of the media file begins to flow across the internet in a gradual and continuous stream from the server to the users browser. Files play either in a media specific player that opens in a new window or a viewer that is type control panel.

What is needed to use streaming media? People who want to add streaming media to their web sites will need to: Have access to a streaming server Have knowledge of what type of media they want to use Have knowledge of what specific format they want that media in Have special production software for creating media files that create the media in the format they have chosen People who want to hear/view media files will need to have a plug-in or player installed as part of their web browser like: a. c. e. Real Player Flash Player Have speakers or headphones connected to the computer

b. Windows Media Player d. Win Amp

There are three primary ways that you can stream content material: a. c. Audio (just sound) video (sound with moving images)

b. Illustrated audio (sound with slides like PowerPoint)

embedded into the web page.

sers can pause, rewind and fast-forward media clips using a VCR

web page can then contain a link with a

RL that points to that media. When users click a media

Which way you choose will depend on the needs of your course and the capabilities of your users. If most of your users will be accessing your presentation over a modem connection, you may decide that audio or illustrated audio will be more effective for your user group. If your course requirements dictate that your users must see what are happening (a surgical technique for example) then you would choose video as the preferred model. Back to top There are several different types of streaming technologies that you can choose from. The most popular formats that DoIT supports are: a. c. QuickTime Flash

b. Windows Media Player

7. Explain the different phases involved in Multimedia Production. (20 Marks)

A multimedia program must go through multimedia production phases. Multimedia developers have to plan a series of phases to produce multimedia application. PHASES IN MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION There are six phases involved in the production of a multimedia project.

The six phases involved can be categorized into 3 main stages.

Pre-production is the process before producing the multimedia project. Production is the process of producing the multimedia project. Post-production is a process after producing the multimedia project. OVERVIEW OF THE PHASES Analysis Phase During the Analysis Phase, the multimedia developers interview the clients to find out their needs and write the Problem Statement and a Proposal. Design Phase Based on the needs of target users, the multimedia developer will design a Flow Chart and Storyboard. This phase is known as the Design Phase. Implementation Phase Once the Storyboard is confirmed, the multimedia developers will start Implementation Phase. This is the phase where the multimedia program is produced. The Implementation Phase refers to the process of converting the design plan into a multimedia program . Testing Phase The multimedia developers will use a Checklist to test the multimedia program. If there are any errors, the programmer will fix the program. Evaluation Phase In the valuation Phase, selected users will use an Evaluation Form to try out the program and give feedback. Publishing Phase Finally, when the multimedia program is completed, it will be published to CD. EXTENSION : PROTOTYPE Many multimedia production companies try to shorten the production phase. One of the ways is to use a prototype.

Prototype means a standard or model example. A prototype is a basic model of a new multimedia program that is to be developed. This is done so that the new design can be tested and changed before the stage of actual production. By using a prototype, users can help to decide suitable designs of the multimedia project.

8. Explain the various application of Multimedia. (10 Marks)

With the advancement of technology many applications are evident for the multimedia Technology. The advancement of technology has opened up newer fields for the Application development. One such fields, which is having tremendous potential and fall under the broad preview of multimedia, is virtual reality, may be the tool of Tomorrow. Today, virtual reality is primarily used in applications in entertainment Industry but is going to be very useful tool for performing simulative, remote control Applications. Virtual reality will have a tremendous impact on on-job training sector. In the following sections we will present a broad categorization of multimedia Applications. Entertainment The entertainment industry has used this technology the most to create real life like Games. Several developers have used graphics, sound, animation of multimedia to create variety of games. The special technologies such as virtual reality have made these games just like experiences of real life. Our example is flight simulator which creates a real-life imaging. Many multimedia games are now available on computers. The children can enjoy these experiences, for example, they can drive cars of different variety, fly aircraft play any musical instrument, play golf etc. Multimedia productions are also using creation of many movies where the multimedia components are mixed with real life pictures to create powerful entertainment atmosphere. Edutainment dutainment is nothing but educational entertainment. Many computer games with, Focus on

education are now available. A simple example, in this case is an educational game, which plays various rhymes for little kids. in addition to playing rhymes, the child can paint the pictures, increase reduce size of various objects etc. Similarly many other edutainment packages, which provide a lot of detailed information to lads, are available. Microsoft has produced many such CD- based multimedia such as Sierra, Knowledge Adventure etc. which in addition to play provide some sort of learning component. The latest in this series is a package, which teaches about the computer using games playing. There are many more companies which have specialized in entertainment sector you may explore the list of such companies on the net. Business Communications Multimedia is a very powerful tool for enhancing the quality of business Communications. The business communications such as employee related communications, product promotions, customer information, and reports for investors Can be presented in multimedia form. All these business communications are required to be structured such that a formal level of content structure exists in the communication. Other common business application involving multimedia

requires Access to database of multimedia information about a company. The multimedia Technology of today can easily support this application as natural language enquiry Systems do exist for making queries. The options available for business presentation are varied, but which one would work best for the suggested application depends on how the multimedia is used. Some of the presentation types are: 1. . 3. . Keyboard Interactive Station Interactive Touch screen Kiosk Sequential Playback Continuous Loop Playback

Interactive kiosks are probably one of the most versatile of the multimedia tools currently available. They allow the user direct and active control over the information being given, making kiosks perfect for applications such as navigational guides and Product information displays. They combine the strengths of speed and accessibility with sight and sound to create not only an effective means of information Dissemination, but also a memorable and fun to use method great for all ages and levels of computer experience. Keyboard Stations allow the user, usually an employee, to step through the presentation with a customer, giving visual backups to the verbal information that the speaker is bestowing. Because this type of presentati n waits for o the operator, it allows the customer to ask as many questions as they need to without having the presentation run ahead. It works in or like a slide show than a movie. It can also be programmed to work like a touch screen kiosk without the cost of the touch screen. Touch screen presentations are gaining in popularity. They are fun to use and allow the user direct control over the information they receive. It operates unattended and can be updated with new information as needed. They make wonderful navigational guides also. Sequential presentations are perfect for in-store window displays, or in other areas where direct user access is either not available or not desired. At trade shows, where Interaction with potential customers is preferred, a continuously playing sequential Presentation can be used to capture attention and get viewers engaged in conversation with sales representatives about job particulars. A noncontinuous sequential Presentation has applications such as corporate training and initial product Demonstration where you don t need to have the same information playing over and Over again. This type operates just like a regular video. Knowledge Transfer This kind of application involves transmission of a piece of information with the Maximum impact, that is, the transfer of information in such a fashion that it facilitates the retention. This application is meant for academia and business both. In academies, the knowledge transfer is used as the building block, whereas, in Business it is the effective transfer of information which might be essential for the survival of a business. Multimedia based teaching is gaining momentum as powerful teaching aids are quite common. Multimedia is one of the best ways to provide short- term training to the workers in a business houses gives lot of flexibility in providing I training. Public Access

h g

Public Access is an area of application where many multimedia applications will soon be available. One such application may be the tourist information system, where a person who wants to go for Multimedia Many such applications may be developed providing a repository of information.

a sight seminary may have the glimpse of places he has R L selected for visiting.

sing