Ite I Multimedia Capabilities

IT Essentials I v. 3.1 Module 8 Multimedia Capabilities

© 2004, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Module 8 Multimedia Capabilities 8.1 – Introduction to Multimedia 8.2 – Upgrading Video with Video Acceleration Board 8.3 – Adding Audio Capabilities with a Sound Card 8.4 - Overview of CD-RW and DVD 8.5 – Digitizing Video

Introduction to Multimedia

Basic Hardware Required for Multimedia Upgrades • Multimedia is a term typically used to mean the combination of text, sound, and motion video. • Multimedia has been described as the addition of animated images as in an animated GIF on the web. • Multimedia is distinguished from traditional motion pictures or movies both by the scale of the production (multimedia is usually smaller and less expensive) and by the addition of audience participation or interactive multimedia. 

Basic Hardware Required for Multimedia Upgrades • The types of computer hardware and software necessary to develop multimedia on the PC vary. • The minimum hardware requirements include a computer monitor, video accelerator card, and sound adapter card with attached speakers.

The Video Adapter • A video adapter is an integrated circuit card in a computer that provides digitalto-analog conversion, video RAM, and a video controller so that data can be sent to a computer display. • Almost all displays and video adapters adhere to the standard Video Graphics Array (VGA). • VGA is how data is passed between the computer and the display.

The Video Adapter • A display or monitor is a computer output surface and projecting mechanism that shows text and often graphic images. • Most computer monitors use analog signals to display the image. • This requirement and the need to continually refresh the displayed image means that the computer also needs a display or video adapter. 

Characterizing Computer Displays • The Visual Graphics Array (VGA) mode is the lowest common denominator of display modes. Depending on the resolution setting, it can provide up to 256 colors.

Characterizing Computer Displays • Dot pitch is the size of an individual beam that gets through to light up a point of phosphor on the screen. • Computer video displays can be characterized according to the following criteria: – – – –

Color capability Sharpness and viewability The size of the screen The projection technology

Sound Cards and Speaker Systems • The output of the sound card requires additional amplification if external speakers are used. • Sound cards do have the capability of directly driving low-power headphones. • The system internal speaker can also produce audio output, or it can be amplified through external audio amplifier systems for applications such as "Surround Sound".

Common Media File Formats Used in Multimedia Applications •

Two data-compression standards are commonly used with digitized video. 2. Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) 3. Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) compression standards

MPEG Hardware Versus Software • Although JPEG provides enough compression to allow single-frame digitized images to fit on disk drives, fullmotion pictures need much greater compression to be useful on current technology. • The MPEG format was developed with a compression algorithm that delivers compression ratios up to 200:1, with high-quality video and audio.

MIDI and External-Audio Source Connection • Common external-audio source connections include: • MIDI port – Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) used to connect musical devices. • Microphones can be connected to a sound card using the female 3.5mm mini jack port on the face of the sound card.

MIDI and External-Audio Source Connection • The microphone in port is to be used with non-amplified sources. • The line in port is used to capture audio from amplified sources with line out options. • Manufacturers are adding external digital audio source capture components. • The major advantage of using the digital in option is that there is no analog to digital conversion necessary to capture the audio information.

Overview of CD-RW and DVD

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Compact Disk, Read Only Memory (CD-ROMs) are a very popular type of removable media. CD-ROM drives are categorized by their case type, bus type, and read speed. The CD-ROM drive needs to be connected to a 40-pin IDE cable that is then connected to the IDE controller. An internal CD-ROM drive uses the standard Molex power connector that supplies 12 volts to other devices inside a PC.

Recording CDs with CD-R and CD-RW •

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CD recorders allow users to "burn" their own CDs containing music, data, video, or any combination thereof. Currently there are two major types of CD recorders: 1. CD-R - stands for Compact Disc - Recordable 2. CD-RW stands for Compact Disc – Rewritable It is recommended to be aware of copyright or licensing limitations when copying any type of CD.

Digital Audio Extraction Explained • Digital Audio Extraction (DAE) is the process of copying audio from a CD to another medium while keeping the audio in its original digital state. • Also known as "ripping", most users use DAE techniques to pull tracks (songs) from an audio CD to a computer's hard drive and then to a recordable CD.

DVD Players • • • •

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DVDs share the same physical size of a CD-ROM but can handle a much greater amount of information. DVDs are used for movies and audio, as well as data. Computer DVD drives can also play movies and music as well as read data discs. Manufacturers can now place their entire program on a single DVD instead of multiple lower capacity CDs. A DVD drive can read DVDs and CDs while a CD-ROM drive can only read CDs.

Recordable DVD •

There are four different methods of DVD recording.

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DVD-R (recordable) is similar to CD-R technology in that it allows the media to be written one time only DVD-RAM – Using the Random Access Memory (RAM) technology allows users to write and overwrite discs 100,000 times The DVD-RW (re-writable) is a technology designed to address compatibility and re-recording issues DVD+RW - has the ability to use a variable bit-rate when encoding certain types of media

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CD Recording Formats • A logical standard defines the way information is stored on the media. • Physical standards define where the information is placed on a CD. • Most formats fall within the "Color Books.

DVD Layering and Formats • DVD layering is the process in which the read laser of a drive is able to focus at different "layers" inside the disc. • DVD physical formats define the structure of the disc and the areas to which data is recorded. • Currently, there are three types of DVDs and four physical formats.

Digitizing Video

Digital Cameras and Video Cameras

Digital camera and docking station for transferring pictures to the computer.

• A digital camera has a series of lenses that focus light to create an image of a scene just like a conventional film camera. • It focuses light onto a semiconductor device that records the light electronically instead of focusing this light onto a piece of film. • Many digital cameras use an LCD screen and fixed storage connected to the computer to download the images.

Digital Cameras and Video Cameras

Digital video camera

• There are two types of video cameras: analog and digital. • Analog camcorders record video and audio signals as an analog track on video tape. • Digital recorders record information digitally, as bytes. This allows the image to be reproduced without losing any image or audio quality. • Digital video can be downloaded to a computer, where it can be edited or posted on the Internet.