Multimedia Presentation Development Using the Audio Visual Connection

This paper describes the technology behind the creation of multimedia presentations using a new IBM p r o gram product, the Audio Visual Connectiona (AVC"). The multimedia approach represents a major innova tion in computer technology involving new concepts such as the digitization of audio and video, the involvement of the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), and the creation of a multimedia story. Two hardware adapters support the AVC: the Audio Capture and Play-back Adapter and the Video Capture Adapter. When used with these adapters, the AVC digitizes both stereo audio and color video, performs powerful edit and synchronization functions, defines an interactive user environment, and creates a multimedia presentation using standard IBM Personal System/F' hardware. Additional input is available from MIDI song files, screen capture, and non-AVC jmage systems. Final results range from passive presentations to interactive applications to sophisticated database front ends. I n the computer industry, multimedia is a term used to describe the interaction of the human auditory and visual senses with the computer. A multimedia computer presents the user with many kinds of image-text, graphics, video, animation-and several types of audio, including speech, music, and sound effects. The multimedia computer involves its user in many levels of interactive decision and control, altering the way information is conveyed. The purpose of multimedia is to improve communication between computer and user and among users. Ideas may be expressed in many forms other than written words that are read sequentially. Image and audio may now be intertwined with the written word and presented interactively to readers. In this sense, multimedia is a new communication tool. The interactive nature of advanced multimedia presentations gives users control of the presentation and access to desired types of information. One user may want an overview of a topic, another may be interested in its financial aspects, and a third user may be interested in the theory underlying a concept. Each user may receive what is pertinent in a self-determined sequence. The user is in charge of the information flow and is not subject to the predefined ideas of the information provider. Although the usefulness of multimedia for graphic artists and musicians is self-evident, consider its use by a mathematician. A multimedia contribution in e, Copyright 1990 by International Business Machines Corporation. Copying in printed form for private use is permitted without payment of royalty provided that (1) each reproduction is done without …