Platforms Options Ideally every multimedia application would run on every platform, but just as in other computer applications this is often not possible. (There are some authoring systems which will generate software for more than one platform). It is of course, possible for one computer platform to emulate another and this will be effective where the ‘host’ platform is based on a fast and powerful processor. A further development of this is the ‘virtual machine’ where a software layer separates the application from the actual machine operating system and the interface between the application and the virtual machine is standard whatever the underlying operating system.
Platforms Options
This approach works best where there is a fairly low level of interactivity as the application software is likely to run more slowly in this arrangement. There may also be problems in the speed of video clips, or number of colors, if the application is not running at optimal performance.UNIX systems have rarely been used for multimedia applications although there may be some potential with on-line systems particularly where UNIX machines run as servers for networks.
Platforms Options
Very high quality multimedia can be created on specialized workstations from Silicon Graphics, Sun Microsystems and sometimes mainframe computer, but the two most significant platforms for the production and delivery of multimedia in terms of affordability and availability are:The Windows operating system running on Intel-based IBM PC compatible computersThe Apple Macintosh Operating System
Platforms Options
The IBM PC has been the standard computer platform for business application for many years – there are more than seven IBM compatible PCs for every one Apple Macintosh computer. The same is true of delivery platforms for multimedia applications for business. When installed with Windows a sound card, and Super VGA graphics, the PC rivals the Macintosh in delivering high quality audio and video presentations.
Platforms Options
Although the IBM PC is commonly used for development, many professional developers prefer the features of the Apple Mac. Some argue that the best development tools become available for the Mac platform first, and that it is better suited to working with graphics.Apple has collaborated with IBM and Motorola, to produce a new generation of computers the Power PC, which is able to emulate the PC platform.
The MPC Level Platform
The MPC computer is a multimedia platform defined as a minimum standard rather than describing specific equipment. There are currently three standard MPC computersMPC level 1MPC level 2MPC level 3
The MPC Level Platform
Suppliers of MPC computers submit their machines to validation tests and will guarantee that software written to the standard will run on their machines.The latest standard multimedia PC level 3 specification was released by the Multimedia PC Working Group in June 1995