information in two or more media‟, so computers which are capable of
handling text and simple graphics, available for many years, could be called multimedia computers‟. However, so many extra attributes have been developed that the word now usually means the processing and presentation of at least text, graphics, and pictures, if not animation and
motion video, usually in colour with sound. There are many systems and
activities within multimedia‟s fuzzy-edged border including hypertext, image
processing, compression systems, colour electronics, input technologies like
scanners, cameras, and picture frame grabbers, output technologies such
as displays and reprography, transmission systems, Virtual Reality, and
visualization. Compact Disk media and techniques, electronic books and
journals, and videoconferencing are multimedia, as are computer games
and home shopping.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, but it has typically meant 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.