4. Examples of Multimedia Systems


Examples of Multimedia Systems
  • the major areas of multimedia use, including:
    • education and training
    • leisure and entertainment
    • information provision, such as information kiosk
    • virtual reality and simulations such as flight simulator
    • combined areas such as educational games
  • advances in technology which are influencing multimedia development
    • (See Course Specifications Document for amendments)
    • increased storage capacity allowing multimedia products to be stored at high resolutions
    • improved bandwidth allowing transmission of higher quality multimedia
    • improved resolution of capturing devices
    • increases in processing power of CPUs
    • improved resolution of displays
    • new codecs for handling compression of media while improving quality
    • messaging systems, including:
        • email
        • voice mail
        • Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)



    •  identify participants, data/information and information technology for one example of a multimedia system from each of the major areas
    • describe the relationships between participants, data/information and information technology for one example of a multimedia system from each of the major areas
    • discuss environmental factors that will influence the design of a multimedia system for a given context, and recommend ways of addressing them
    • critically evaluate the effectiveness of a multimedia package within the context for which it has been designed
    • interpret developments that have led to multimedia on the world wide web
    • discuss multimedia systems that address new technological developments
    • compare and contrast multimedia presentations

    Preclass Videos

    Examples of Multi Part 1.mp4


    Examples of Multi Part 2.mp4


    Examples of Multimedia Systems 

    • There are four main examples of multimedia systems, or major areas:
      • Education and training.
      • Leisure and entertainment.
      • Provision of information.
      • Virtual reality and simulation.
    • Often the content within multimedia systems combines multiple of the above areas.

    Education And Training
    • One example would be an interactive educational game (e.g. mathletics) used to help aid students in their learning.
    • Learning management systems for schools. An example would be Moodle, in which quizzes can be added and drop boxes can be added to upload multimedia content.
    • Lynda.com is another example of a multimedia system. It’s a series of videos which allow employers to train their employees.

    Multimedia systems are very effective at helping people to learn. A good multimedia product that uses different media types can maintain the user’s interest. The interactive nature of multimedia allows the user to control the learning. It addresses each user’s particular needs. Multimedia systems also allow training to be carried out at convenient times and are developed to cater for a wide range of abilities. They are a cost-effective method of education and training. Computer-based training (CBT) is a type of multimedia product used for education and training. A person uses CBT at his or her own pace. Information is presented using different types of media, and the user has the opportunity to review misunderstood concepts. CBT products are designed by experts in their fields and
    designed to cater for different rates of learning.The ‘Typing Tutor’ is a simple example of CBT that is designed to improve keyboard skills. Interactivity in CBT is the basis for an individual to progress through the system. CBT usually contains some form of assessment to determine whether an individual is ready for the next level.  

    Leisure and Entertainment
    • Normally in the form of games.
    • General types of games available:
      • Action Games.
      • Role playing games.
      • Massively Multiplayer Online Games.
      • Platform games.
      • Simulation Games.
    Multimedia systems designed for leisure and entertainment are generally classified as computer games. Computer games provide a high level of interactivity. The responses of the user determine the game being played.The sequence of actions may
    be limited by the game designer or may have a large range of possibilities. Games tend to be time restricted and have complex animation. The level and amount of text is limited. Depending on the type of game, the navigation may be deliberately hidden until the user reaches a certain level. Computer games feature high resolution images, audio, and animation or video. They often use some form of alternative to the keyboard, such as a joystick, for input. Developments in technology have resulted in computer games that are more realistic.

    Provision Of Information
    • Integration of variety of media types suits the ability of the systems to deliver information.
    • Aim of websites is to provide information to users.
    • Information can be provided to advertise products, promote services or inform users.
    • An example that is prime would be information kiosks.
      • Usually included in shops.
      • Provide interactive introductory information about the organisation.
      • Some contain additional hardware like printers, internet connections, swipe card readers.
      • Many loyalty programs feature kiosks to allow for claiming of rewards.
    • Another example of a provision of information multimedia system – multimedia encyclopaedias.

    Multimedia systems provide users with an easy way to display information. The user controls when, how and what information will be displayed. The interactive nature of multimedia allows the user to search using related keywords to find specific information (see Figure 7.7). This is a distinct advantage over printed forms of the same material. A multimedia encyclopaedia is a good example of a multimedia system used to obtain information. It displays information using text, colour, audio, and video or animation. This makes it easier for people to understand information.

    Information kiosks allow people to use a touch screen and select information about an organisation or service. The information displayed depends on the selections of the user. Information kiosks commonly provide information about items, the location of items or a map to a particular product or service. They use large navigation buttons with few options. Information kiosks can also be used to provide information to the organisation. The selections made by the user are a source of information about the level of interest in a product or service.

    Virtual Reality and Simulation
    • Systems that simulate the real world.
    • Allow participants to experience environment as close to the real world being simulated.
    • Used often for training personnel.
    • Used also for presenting new designs to clients.
    • Example would be an aircraft flight simulator.
    • Another example would be virtual walkthroughs and virtual tours.
    Multimedia systems are used for virtual reality and simulations.Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computer modelling and simulation to enable a person to interact with an artificial environment. VR immerses the user in an environment that simulates reality through the use of interactive devices, such as goggles, head-up displays, gloves, or body suits. In a common VR application, the user wears a helmet with a screen for each eye to view animated images of a simulated environment.Motion sensors that pick up the user’s movements and adjust the view on the screens create the illusion of reality. Data-gloves equipped with force-feedback devices provide the sensation of touch. The user picks up and manipulates objects that he sees in the virtual environment. VR is highly interactive.

    Flight simulators are used to train pilots. The external effects, such as changing weather conditions, require high-resolution images and the ability to control different aspects of the system.Different scenarios are carefully modelled, and the reactions of the plane are made as realistic as possible. Flight simulators tend to require a lot of physical room as they involve complex hydraulic systems. This makes them expensive. However, ‘crashing’ a flight simulator is cheaper than crashing a real plane.











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