CHAPTER 8 : HARDWARE

CHAPTER 8 : HARDWARE

1. PLATFORM

   • MACINTOSH
     • Makes multimedia project development easier and smoother
     • Has good built in audio and high quality graphics capability
   • WINDOWS
     • Initially focused on business computing and was not suitable for multimedia

2. NETWORKING

   • LAN
     • Workstations are located within a short distance. They are less expensive
   • WAN
     • Communication systems span great distance and managed by large corporations. They are expensive to install and maintain
   • INTERNET
     • A dial-up connection to the Internet throught an ISP also enables communication
   • ETHERNET
     • Method of wiring up computers
   • CLIENT/SERVER
     • Client/server software is required for communication and transfer files

3. CONNECTIONS

   • SMALL COMPUTER SYSTEM INTERFACE
     • Can connect internal and external peripheral equipments and devices
     • Preferred for real-time video editing, network servers and situation that require mirroring
     • SCSI ID conflicts should be avoided by providing unique IDs to devices
   • INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONIC
     • Connect only internal peripherals
     • Also known as Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA)
     • Circuitry for IDE is less expensive than SCSI
     • Utilized processor chip time
   • UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS
     • Standard for connecting devices to the computer using the plug-and-play system
     • Can be attached to one computer at a time
     • USB uses a single cable to connect 127 USB peripherals to a single PC
   • FIREWIRE
     • Can connect multiple computers and peripheral devices (peer to peer)
     • Industry standard and provide support for high bandwidth serial data transfer

4. MEMORY

   • RAM
     • Enables the simultaneously running of many applications
   • ROM
     • ROM is non-volatile. The BIOS program that boots up the computer reside in the ROM
   • Sufficient memory must be allocated for storing and archiving files.

5. STORAGE DEVICES

   • FLOPPY DISK
     • Inexpensive, removable and portable device for storing binary data
   • HARD DISK
     • Non-removable mass storage device and has higher data storage capacity and transfer speed
   • DVD
     • Optical disc technology for distributing multimedia and feature length movies
   • CD
     • CD-ROM player is important delivery medium for large,mass produced multimedia projects
     • CD-R is very inexpensive and suitable for short-run distribution of finished multimedia projects
   • Magneto optical drive
   • Jaz cartridge

6. INPUT DEVICES

   • KEYBOARD
   • MOUSE
   • TRACKBALL
   • TOUCHSCREEN
   • MAGNETIC CARD ENCODER AND READER
   • GRAPHIC TABLET
   • SCANNER
   • INFRARED REMOTE
   • VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM
   • DIGITAL CAMERA

7. OUTPUT DEVICES

   • AUDIO DEVICES
     • Include sound chips and microphones
     • Amplifier are required when the project has to be presented to a large audience or in a noisy setting
   • VIDEO DEVICES
     • Creates the maximum visual impact
     • Video devices include videodisc players and video cards
   • PROJECTORS
     • Cathode-ray tube (CRT) compatible for computers and televisions
     • Liquid-crystal display (LCD) for on-the-road presentations
     • Light-valve projector
   • PRINTERS

8. COMMUNICATION DEVICES

   • MODEMS
     • Modulate and de-modulate analog signals
     • Provide connectivity through standard phone lines
     • Standard modem speed at least 56 Kbps
   • ISDN
     • Integrated Service Digital Network
     • Used for higher transmission speeds by telephone
     • Transfer data at rate of 128 Kbps
   • CABLE MODEM