IT Essentials I v. 3.

1
Module 8
Multimedia Capabilities

© 2004, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

 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 digital-
to-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, full-
motion 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
Drives

• 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
• 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

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

• 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
Digital camera and docking station
semiconductor device that
for transferring pictures to the records the light electronically
computer. 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

• 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
Digital video camera image or audio quality.
• Digital video can be downloaded
to a computer, where it can be
edited or posted on the Internet.