Option Topic 1: Multimedia Systems
Timing and resources
Time: 5 weeks
Syllabus: pages 56–59 Section 9.4.4
Software/course specifications: pages 11–12, 13–14, 15
Text: Heinemann IPT HSC—G. K. Powers (chapter 7)
Syllabus outcomes
H1.1 Applies an understanding of the nature and function of
information technologies to a specific practical situation
H1.2 Explains and justifies the way in which information systems
relate to information processes in a specific context
H2.1 Analyses and describes a system in terms of the information
processes involved
H2.2 Develops solutions for an identified need which address all of
the information processes
H3.1 Evaluates the effect of information systems on the individual,
society and the environment
H3.2 Demonstrates ethical practice in the use of information
systems, technologies and processes
H4.1 Proposes ways in which information systems will meet
emerging needs
H5.2 Assesses the ethical implications of selecting and using
specific resources and tools
Students learn to:
1. Characteristics of multimedia systems
(a) Describe multimedia system as an information system that
combines different types of media.
(b) Describe text, hypertext and number as types of media—
hyperlink.
(c) Describe audio, image, animation and video as types of
media—MP3, pixel, bit-mapped graphic, aliasing, vector
graphic, cell.
(d) Explain the differences between print and multimedia—
mode of display, interactivity.
(e) Outline image storage demands—frame buffer, bit
mapping, bit depth, colour graphics.
(f) Outline audio storage demands—sampling rate, sample
size, mono, stereo.
(g) Outline video processing demands—video capture card,
frame rate.
(h) Outline animation processing demands—cell-based
animation, path-based animation, tweening, morphing,
warping.
(i) Describe the role and skills of people in multimedia
systems—content providers, system designer, project
manager, technical staff.
2. Examples of multimedia systems
(a) Describe multimedia in education and training in terms of
participants, data/information and information
technology—CBT.
(b) Describe multimedia in leisure and entertainment in terms
of participants, data/information and information
technology—computer games.
(c) Describe multimedia use for information in terms of
participants, data/information and information
technology—multimedia encyclopaedia, information
kiosks.
(d) Describe multimedia use for virtual reality and simulations
in terms of participants, data/information and information
technology—flight simulators.
(e) Outline the advances in technology influencing multimedia
development—WWW, CD-ROM speed, DVD.
(f) Evaluate well-designed multimedia systems—consistent
layout and format, easy navigation, simple design elements,
good design principles for each media type.
3. Displaying in multimedia systems
(a) Describe hardware devices used to display multimedia—
screens, CRT, raster scan, refreshing, vector display
systems, LCD, projection devices, speakers, head-up
displays.
(b) Describe software for creating and displaying
multimedia—presentation software, application software,
authoring software, animation software, Web browsers,
HTML editors.
(c) Use available hardware and software to display multimedia.
(d) Create samples of different media types.
4. Other information processes
(a) Describe collection methods and devices for digitising—
scanners, digital cameras, video cameras, VCR, frame
grabber, microphones, sound card.
(b) Describe organising presentations—script, storyboard.
(c) Plan a multimedia presentation using a storyboard.
(d) Describe processing data for a multimedia system—
integration of data, compression and decompression,
CODEC, hypermedia.
(e) Describe storing and retrieving of information for a
multimedia product—compression techniques, lossy
compression, lossless compression, file formats.
(f) Design and create a multimedia presentation.
5. Issues related to multimedia systems
(a) Identify and discuss copyright—acknowledgment of source
data.
(b) Identify and discuss appropriate use of the Internet.
(c) Describe merging technologies—radio, television, Internet,
digital television.
(d) Identify and discuss data integrity of source data.