Multi + Media

As the name implies, multimedia is the integration of multiple forms of media. Multimedia means that computer information can be represented through audio, video, and animation in addition to traditional media (i.e., text, graphics drawings, images).Multimedia is more than one concurrent presentation medium (for example, on CD-ROM or a Web site). Although still images are a different medium than text, multimedia is typically used to mean the combination of text, sound, and/or motion video. Some people might say that the addition of animated images (for example, animated GIF on the Web) produces multimedia. Multimedia is the field concerned with the computer-controlled integration of text, graphics, drawings, still and moving images (Video), animation, audio, and any other media where every type of information can be represented, stored, transmitted and processed digitally. Due to the advancements in computer speeds and storage space, multimedia is commonplace today. Therefore, the term doesn't produce the same excitement is once did. This also means it is not as overused as it was back in the late '90s.

Multimedia can be recorded and played, displayed, interacted with or accessed by information content processing devices, such as computerized and electronic devices, but can also be part of a live
performance. Multimedia devices are electronic media devices used to store and experience multimedia content. Multimedia is distinguished from mixed media in fine art; for example, by including audio it has a broader scope. In the early years of multimedia the term "rich media" was synonymous with interactive multimedia, and "hypermedia" was a application of multimedia.
Interactive multimedia, any computer-delivered electronic system that allows the user to control, combine, and manipulate different types of media, such as text, sound, video, computer graphics, and animation. Interactive multimedia integrate computer, memory storage, digital (binary) data, telephone, television, and other information technologies. Their most common applications include training programs, video games, electronic encyclopaedias, and travel guides. Interactive multimedia shift the user’s role from observer to participant and are considered the next generation of electronic information systems.

Hypermedia is an extension to what is known as hypertext, or the ability to open new Web pages by
clicking text links on a Web browser. Hypermedia extends upon this by allowing the user to click images, movies, graphics and other media apart from text to create a nonlinear network of information.
A multimedia file can be any computer file that plays audio and video, audio only, or video only. Some examples of popular multimedia files include the .mp3 audio file, .mp4, video, and avi video, and wmv files. A media player is a software application for playing back multimedia files, including audio and/or video. Most media players can play both audio only and video (with sound), although there are a small number of players that focus one type, known as audio players or video players.
Media players typically use icons, which have their origin in tape recorders and disk players. Typical
control buttons include Play, Pause, Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, and others. Now add in options to
control volume, and you have a very intuitive interface that is easy to use. Audio and video have become increasingly important in today's computer systems. Learn about how media players play back multimedia files as well as audio and video editing software to create your own productions.

Audio editing software is software which allows editing and generating of audio data. Audio editing
software can be implemented completely or partly as library, as computer application, as Web application or as a loadable kernel module. Audio can consist of only spoken text, such as the narration of this video, or include music and other sound effects.
Video editing is the process of manipulating video images. Video editing software can be used to record video, but is used more often in post-production design and editing raw footage in digital file formats. Video editing software consists of software for the post-production of video editing. The source material is collected by digital video cameras, and this is imported into the software for editing.