6.1 Introduction to Multimedia
6.1.1 Basic hardware required for multimedia upgrades
Most modern computer systems come equipped with the capability to display and create multimedia. The ability to use different types of multimedia is as much a part of the modern PC as an Internet connection. This chapter discusses the hardware and software required to run modern presentation media on the PC.

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 (for example an animated GIF on the web), but typically it means one of the following:

  • Text and sound
  • Text, sound, and still or animated graphic images
  • Text, sound, and video images
  • Video and sound
  • Multiple display areas, images, or presentations presented concurrently
  • In live situations, the use of a speaker or actors and "props" together with sound, images, and motion video

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. Interactive elements can include voice commands, mouse manipulation, text entry, touch screen, video capture of the user, or live participation (as in live presentations).

Multimedia presentations are more complex than simple text-and-images presentations and are generally more expensive. Multimedia presentations can be included in many contexts, including the web, CD-ROMs, and so on. Basic development costs of a packaged multimedia production with video for commercial presentation (at trade shows for example) can be U.S. $1,000 a minute of presentation time. Multimedia software can develop presentations far more reasonably than standard video productions with the flexibility to distribute on the web or on CD.

PC Requirements to Run Multimedia
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 following is a list of some of the key components that may be included in a multimedia system and their functions:

  • A microphone connected to a plug on the sound adapter card is used to input sound.
  • CD-ROMs and DVD players are common PC components used for input and output of multimedia.
  • A connection to the Internet via a network interface card or a modem is also used to provide multimedia input to the system. Streaming of audio and video is very popular.
  • Digital still pictures and video cameras are often connected via standard computer ports or via special card adapters.
  • A video capture card, a special adapter card that samples and converts the images and sounds, can provide television and radio recordings and images.
  • MPEG hardware and web-based movie players are used to play movies.
  • Computer games via DVD or CD require specialized hardware.
Worksheet  (PDF, 6 KB)
  Multimedia Devices