CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
A multimedia computer system is computer system that can create, import, integrate, store, retrieve, edit, and delete two or more types of media materials in digital form, such as audio, image, full motion video, and text information. Multimedia computer systems also may have the ability t o analyze media materials (e.g. counting the number of occurrences of a word in a text file). A multimedia computer system can be a single or multiple-user system.
Networked multimedia computer systems can transmit and receive digital multimedia materials over a single computer network or over any number of interconnected computer networks. As multimedia computer systems evolve, they may become intelligent systems by utilizing expert system technology to assist users in selecting, retrieving, and manipulating multimedia information.
This paper surveys four possible types of multimedia computer systems: hypermedia, multimedia database, multimedia message, and virtual reality systems. It examines the potential benefits and problems associated with the use of multi media computer systems as public access computer systems, which can be employed directly by library patrons. One, without question, multimedia computer systems will have a profound impact on library systems that are used for internal purposes, however, this area is beyond the scope of the present project work. The four categories of systems suggested in this work are intended to provide the reader with a conceptual framework for thinking about the emerging area of multimedia computing.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The term “multimedia” was carried by Bob Goldstein (later Bobb Goldsteinn) to promote the July 1966 opening of his, Light works at Lourin” show at Southampton, long Island. On August 10, 1966, Richard Albarino of variety borrowed the terminology, reporting “ Brainchild of song ascribe comic, Bob (Washington Square) Goldstein, the Light works is the latest multimedia music-cum-visuals to debut as discotheque fare, two years later, in 1968, the term multimedia” was re-appropriated to describe the work of a political consultant, David Sawyer, the husband of Iris Sawyer one of Golsteins producers at L’oursin.
In the intervening forty years, the word has taken on different meanings. In the late 1970s the term was used to describe presentations consisting of multi-projector slide shows timed to an audio track. In the 1993 first edition of MC-Graw-hills multimedia, making it work, Tay Vaughan declared “multimedia is any combination of text, graphic art, sound animation, an d video that is delivered by computer when you allow the user the viewer of the project to control what and when these elements are delivered, it is interactive multimedia. When you provide a structure of linked element through which the user can navigate, interactive multimedia becomes hypermedia.
The German language society, Gesellschaft fir dews he spiracle, decided to recognize the words significance and ubiquitousness in the 1990s by awarding it the title of word of the year in 1995. the institute summed up its rational by stating (multimedia) has become a central word in the wonderful new media world.
Early theatrical performances greatly extended the interest in multi sensory experience. Ancient Greek actors performed to the accompaniment of music and chanting and signing of a chorus. Elaborately painted stages, scenery, apparently with convincing three-dimensional effects and stage props (furniture, Weapons) formed a back drop for performance. The Greeks also made use of various machines to heighten the intensity of dramatic performance. One (the Keraunoskopeion) simulated lightening, another ( the Bronstein) produced the rumble of thunder.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Supporting multimedia applications over a computer network renders the application distributed. Multimedia systems may have to render a variety of media at the same instant a distinction from normal relationship between may forms of media (e.g video and Audio) there are two forms of problems here.
- Sequencing within the media- playing frames in correct order/time frame in video
- Synchronization: Inter-media scheduling (e.g. video and audio) lip synchronization is clearly important for humans to watch play back of video and audio -ever tried watching out of (lip) sync film for a long time?
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objective of the study is to provide a deeper understanding and knowledge into different specializations of computer science and prepare for an active role in computer science research and development.
This project work is intended to provide people with a conceptual framework for thinking about the emerging area of multimedia computing. Whether these categories develop into significant applications aid/or remain distinct technologies remains to be seen.
