Hardware and Software for Multimedia Systems

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Hardware and Software for Multimedia Systems
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What is required and why?

• Hardware - allows the multimedia components to be
  captured and saved
• Software - enables the components to be edited
  and merged into a single multimedia project

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Important Hardware Components

• Computer - CPU main engine responsible for
  intensive tasks, i.e. graphics rendering and
  video editing) min requirements 400MHz
• Monitor preferably 2. One large for
  development, one smaller for display
• Memory stores parts of MM software as well as
  project being worked on. Elements instantly
  available from memory, speeds up the process.
  128RAM being realistic minimum

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Important Hardware Components

• Hard Disk MM files can be huge i.e. video clips
  taking up to 2GB, so 20GB is a realistic minimum
• Video Capture Card fits inside the computer is
  sometimes external. Output from video camera is
  connected to the card and converts it for
  integration in MM. (S-VHS for analogue or
  FireWire for digital feed cameras)
• Sound Card/MIDI allows a range of audio devices
  to be connected.
• Digital Camera Reader to enable transfer of
  digital photos to the hard disk

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Important Hardware Components

• CDROM read/writer Used to burn CD copies of
  project also install applications, copy media
  files over
• Mouse - normal operations
• Graphics tablet- where mouse cannot provide
  accurate control
• Modem if multimedia project is web based

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Other possible requirements

• Microphone
• Headphones
• Flatbed scanner
• Digital camera
• Video recorder

• Touch sensitive screens
• Voice operated software
• Network card

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Software required for Materials Creation,
Capture and Editing

• Audio editing
• Cool edit
• Video editing
• Adobe Premier
• Graphic Creation
• Paintbrush, Freehand
• Animation
• Flash, Director

• Image editing
• Photoshop
• Authoring packages
• MMBuilder, Director
• Web Authoring
• Dreamweaver
• Music software
• Cubase

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Characteristics Relevant to Networked Multimedia

• May require real-time transmission of continuous
  media information (audio video)
• Volumes of data to be exchanged are substantial
  and sometimes considerable, due to the encoding
  of continuous media information
• Many applications are distribution oriented, in
  particular when serving residential users