Journal – Multimedia Data Types

February 25, 2009 at 7:08 am (Uncategorized) (9CathTECH4)

Homework:
Journal – Multimedia Data Types

A multimedia system is an information system that combines at least TWO to THREE types of media, such as text, hypertext, audio, images, animations and video.

1.) Provide a description and an example of each type of media listed above.

Text

Text is obviously, one of the most frequently used media. It involves written/typed up material, which convey the information through words. Many of the other forms of media will also use some sort of text to give out general information.

Example: Ning Blogs, the Ning blog, allows you to type up and read information that is usually accompanied by a video or image. The text is the main part of the body giving out 95% of the information.

Hyper text

Hyper text is used to give out specific sites or resources for the information. It is normally set out as a list of links to different sites and the name and/or a brief explanation of the site. New hyper links are usually blue while previously used links are maroon.

Example: Search engines such as Google, Dogpile or Yahoo, present many links that can climb into millions of different sites, which relate to the keywords of the search. Most of these links will have nothing to do with what the user wants.

Audio

Audio transmits its information through sound, it requires the user to widen their imagination and thought to suit it. As the user need to listen and take in the information conveyed by it.

Example: The most used audio media is the radio, although it is seen inferior to television it may never die out, as its information is just as valuable. The radio portrays many kinds of audio information including new, weather, gossip, sport and various songs and entertainment.

Images

An image transfers much valuable information. Most of the time they are accompanied by text, which helps us understand it’s meaning. Images can include diagrams, advertisements or maybe subliminal messages.

Example: Movie advertisement posters are usually made to attract passers by with brilliant colours and imagery. Using images to attract people is very common in today’s advertisements.

Animations

Animation, which is the sequence of images used together to create motion, is commonly used to convey information, as it is very easy to understand. It usually comprises of moving images accompanied by text and audio.

Example: The science focus website, which most students use to study with, uses a lot of animation. These animations are usually interactive and are very easy to understand, although lacking audio.

Video

A very commonly used media. Video can be described as a total mix between other different media’s including text, imagery, audio and animations. Videos are usually the easiest form of media to understand, its visual and audio aspects work together to form a greater understanding of the conveyed information.

Example: A popular example of video is the site you tube, although it contains some inappropriate materials, you tube consists of many tutorials and other helpful information that is easily understood.