Digital Multimedia (Worldwide Series in Computer Science) [Paperback]

Nigel Chapman (Author), Jenny Chapman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471983861 | ISBN-13: 978-0471983866 | Publication Date: May 23, 2000 | Edition: 1

A major new textbook "Digital Multimedia" by Nigel and Jenny Chapman provides a fresh contemporary definition of the emergent discipline of multimedia. It is designed to support instructors by providing a rigorous introduction to the technical scope of this subject. With a coherent approach to its multifarious nature, the book covers all of the essential technical ground, with full awareness of the design, cultural and usability
aspects of multimedia. This book will inspire students to develop the potential of multimedia for new forms of expression that are enabled by computers and networks.

Concepts Covered:

Descriptions of the characteristics of individual media provide the essential starting points for understanding how to combine them. Graphics, text and time-based media are introduced in the context of their digital representation and manipulation. The combination of media within the different frameworks of hypermedia and time-based authoring is described. Interactivity through scripting, and the communications
technology that supports distributed multimedia are expolored in detail. Hardware, software and networking capabilities are thoroughly detailed with the backup of motivating and illuminating examples. All this and still the excitement of creating multimedia is conveyed, making this as rich and rewarding a book as the subject itself.

Support for Practice through Principles and Theory:

"Digital Multimedia" makes reference to the common tools and applications used for production and manipulation of media, but a companion text in development, "Digital Media Tools", due in Spring 2001, addresses the effective use of these packages in more detail.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a core text for undergraduate and masters courses in multimedia." (Digital Arts, October 2007) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Simply the best source of technical information and practical know-how on manipulating, combining and delivering digital multimedia content. Digital Multimedia text, images, sound, video and animation can all be represented in digital form. When two or more of these digital media are combined into an integrated whole, with the added element of interactivity provided by computer systems, we have multimedia.

Digital Multimedia combines a wide and deep account of technology with an inside understanding of multimedia content and its practical applications. Coverage begins with the nature of multimedia, including its cultural and social context, before examining hardware and software requirements for the creation and delivery of multimedia. There are chapters devoted to each media type, detailing how it is represented in digital form and what demands are placed on computer systems. With that background, advanced chapters progress onto issues that arise when media are combined into multimedia; interaction provided by scripting; and networked multimedia. As well as end of chapter exercises, the book includes a chapter of detailed suggestions for substantial projects, with commentary on the design issues raised. An afterword by Professor Brent MacGregor of Edinburgh College of Art examines the creative challenge presented by these new media. A core text for undergraduate and masters courses in multimedia, this book, with its accompanying Web site, is also essential reading for developers and designers embarking on multimedia projects.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 582 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471983861
• ISBN-13: 978-0471983866
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,961,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My students like this book, April 3, 2004

By 

Barbara Nostrand "Barbara Nostrand" (Syracuse, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Multimedia (Paperback)

I used this book for Foundations of Multimedia in Fall of 2003. I am teaching this course again this coming Fall. While I was considering textbooks for the coming year, my students urged me to include this book in the booklist for the course. This book provides an excellent overview of multimedia applications which is appropriate for a college level course.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Current and thorough, October 18, 2000

By 

sertsa "sertsa" (Clinton, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digital Multimedia (Worldwide Series in Computer Science) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for instructional use (once you get past the proper British English spellings of everything :-p). After receiving and reading my copy I quickly decided to use it for instruction in one of the classes I teach. Compared to many other books on the market this one is thorough and current, and offers information fit for both beginning and advanced students of multimedia. The one criticism I have of the book is it would have been nice to include a CD with images and samples and / or an online / searchable pdf file of the text. It is, afterall, a "multimedia" textbook. There is a website which goes with the book, but it's a little light on content. All in all though, it's an excellent resource!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digital Multimedia, April 4, 2007

By 

Gregory R. Taylor "gregs best" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Multimedia (Paperback)

Very good book. Well written with good examples and real world applications.