Introduction

Multimedia Communications
Assoc.Prof.Dr.Yuttapong Rangsanseri

Definition
Multimedia is the field concerned with the computer-controlled integration of a variety of information sources, such as text, graphics, images, sound, and full-motion video, where every type of information can be represented, stored, transmitted, and processed digitally. May any combination of information types be termed multimedia ?
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Classification of Media Types

Multimedia implies that at least text, graphics, or images (discrete media) is associated with either audio or motion video (continuous media).

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Characteristics of Multimedia Systems

1. Multimedia systems must be computer controlled. At least the presentation of the information to the end-user is controlled by a computer. 2. They are integrated. - Every device, including the microphone and the camera, is connected to and controlled by a single computer. - A single type of digital storage device is used. - Instead of being display on a separate TV monitor, the video sequences are shown directly on the computer screen - Various types of information should flow over a single type of communication network.
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Multimedia Integration

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Characteristics of Multimedia Systems (2)

3. The information they handle must be represented digitally. A single format (binary) is used to represent not only the usual computer data, but also for all other types like motion video.

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Characteristics of Multimedia Systems (3)

4. The interface to the final user may permit interactivity. Most multimedia applications allow interactivity. Interactivity provides degrees of customization of the way in which the information is searched for and presented. Time, order, speed, and form are the four possible degrees.

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Multimedia Platforms
A multimedia platform is a computer system capable of supporting multimedia applications May simply serve for presentation or delivery of multimedia information. May be required in addition to capture in real-time multimedia information, such as in videoconferencing. May support multimedia authoring systems, for the asynchronous development of multimedia documents. May be used to build systems providing multimedia information to remote client systems over the network they are called multimedia servers.
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Stand-alone and Networked Multimedia

Stand-alone multimedia
make use of no extra resources than those present on the local system to provide the multimedia services.

Networked multimedia
The reasons why multimedia systems may need to communicate fall into two broad categories:

Support of networked applications. The purpose of many multimedia applications is precisely to offer communications services at a distance. Implementation of the client-server model. It may be cost effective to pool resources, such as multimedia storage capacity, into servers which are remotely accessed by the presentation systems.
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Multimedia Servers

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Stand-alone Multimedia Application

CD-ROM titles created by using authoring tools Delivering multimedia content on a standalone multimedia system Education Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI) Good titles make use of all multimedia elements, and user interactivity Entertainment TV/Video games, computer games Virtual reality (used for entertainment as well as for training purposes) Edutainment Education + Entertainment Educational activity that is fun Information Dissemination Product advertizing on a CD Disadvantage: product information can become outdated, overcome by providing the information on a networked server.

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Networked Multimedia Applications

Single-User Networked Applications

Multimedia content resides on a remote server, users access this information over the network. Computer is the most widely used workstation, combination of the TV and a set-top-box (STB) is alternative. Main advantage: contents can be changed almost at will, information is updated.

Multiuser Networked Applications

Two or more users communicate via a network. Involve more user-to-user interaction and some user-to-computer interaction.
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Single-User Networked Applications

Digital Libraries Documents can be accessed on-line. Old documents are made available by scanning the pages as still images Information Kiosks usually based on touch screen display provide product and facility information can be standalone, or networked to a server Web Page frontends for digital libraries/info. kiosks ability to jump from one page to another by using hyperlinks

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Single-User Networked Applications (2)

Video on Demand (VoD) User can request transmission of any video Video server transmits video stream via the network VoD systems have been installed in hotels, and airplanes. VoD is not expected to become available for home use for several years. Full VoD (FVoD) user has full VCR-like controls (play, pause, fast forward, and rewind) requires separate video stream dedicated to each user. Near VoD (NVoD) User does not have full VCR-like controls Popular movies are transmitted at regular intervals (e.g. 5 min). The user have to pay more for a video stream transmitted just for the benefit of that user.

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Multiuser Networked Applications

Electronic Mail (E-Mail)

Most widely used application over the Internet. Advantage: no need for both parties to be present at the same time. No urgency to respond immediately as in the case of a phone call.

Facsimile/Video Phone

Extension of the plain old telephone services (POTS) Fax scans a document in a raster scan manner and transmits it as a monochrome still image. Video phone sends the voice along with a live image of the user.
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Multiuser Networked Applications (2)

Video Conferencing

Transmission of live video between two or more communicating sites. A true video conferencing system requires a full duplex communication channel. For limited bandwidth, a workable system can be set up by using half duplex communication. In a conventional video conference, only video and audio signals are transmitted. Collaborative conference use video along with the digital shared workspace (also called whiteboard or chalkboard).
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Video Conferencing Applications

Virtual Corporation

various business partners communicate and collaborate over a network.

Telemedicine

Tele-medicine services address elderly, sick or disabled people who cannot leave their home. delivery of health care services via a network.

Education, Entertainment, Edutainment can be delivered over networks.

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