1. Characteristics of Multimedia Systems

A multimedia system is an information system that combines different types of media. 
  • It uses at least three media types, such as text, images, animation, audio and video. 
Multimedia systems have the potential to provide a better experience than any other information medium. 
  • They can combine the best of television, film, graphics, animation, books, magazines and radio. 

The result of a multimedia system is called a multimedia product or a multimedia presentation. 

Multimedia is created and displayed using a range of software, such as authoring software and presentation software.
Students Learn About:

  • multimedia systems – information systems that include combinations of the following media, including:
    • text and numbers
    • audio
    • images and/or animations
    • video
    • hyperlinks
  • the differences between print and multimedia, including:
    • different modes of display
    • interactivity and involvement of participants in multimedia systems
    • ease of distribution
    • authority of document
Students Learn To:

  • use multimedia systems in an interactive way and to identify how they control the presentation of information
  • identify multimedia software appropriate to manipulating particular types of data



  • compare and contrast printed and multimedia versions with similar content

stem 5.1 characteristics powerpoint.pptx


Vector vs Raster Graphics




Print and multimedia
The major differences between print and multimedia versions of similar content are the mode of display and interactivity.

Mode of display

Printed information is displayed using a printer or plotter. 

In contrast, a multimedia product is displayed using a screen and speakers:

  • A screen is a display surface that provides immediate feedback about what the computer is doing. 
    • It can display text, image, animation and the visual portion of video data. 
    • Every screen is capable of displaying more than one resolution. 
    • The resolution and size of the screen affect the quality of the multimedia product. 
    • Multimedia products are often displayed on an information kiosk. 
    • It allows people to use a touch screen and select information about an organisation or service.
  • A speaker is a device used to produce sounds. 
    • A small speaker is usually located in most personal computers inside the system unit. 
    • However, high-quality stereo speakers are often connected to the computer, using a port and a sound card, or are built into the sides of the monitor.
Interactivity

A major difference between print and multimedia is interactivity. 

  • Interactivity allows the user to choose the sequence and content of information.
  • A multimedia product is often judged on the quantity of its interactivity. 

The Internet is an example of an interactive environment. 

  • The expression ‘surfing the Net’ or ‘browsing’ refers to the experience of jumping from one page to another using interactivity. 
  • Interactive multimedia accepts input from a mouse, touch screen or keyboard and performs some action. 
  • Hypertext and hypermedia are used to navigate through a multimedia product. 
  • The product may link audio, image, animation, video or another screen. 
Print provides a limited form of interactivity. 
  • In books, it is possible to choose the sequence and content of the information by referring to the contents and the index.

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