---
title: "Components to build multimedia systems"
subject: "Multimedia System"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_8/multimedia_system:components-build-multimedia-systems"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/multimedia_system/components-build-multimedia-systems
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Components to build multimedia systems

Multimedia System · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2074 Magh, 9 marks
- Video: [Multimedia/ Components of Multimedia](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC7HCX8Nb4o) — MGMM e-learn
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/multimedia_system/components-build-multimedia-systems
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/multimedia_system/chapter-1

## Question

Explain the components used to build multimedia systems.

## Short answer

Components include capture devices, a computer system with CPU/RAM/OS, storage, networks, output devices, software (editing, authoring, codecs), and content/people. Together they capture, process, store, transmit, and present integrated media.

## Answer

A multimedia system is built from hardware, software, networks and content. Together these components capture, store, process, transmit and present several media (text, graphics, audio, video, animation) in an integrated way.

```text
 Capture --> Computer system --> Storage
 devices     (CPU, RAM, cards,       |
             OS, software)      Network
                  |                  |
                  v                  v
            Output devices <---- Remote users
```

#### 1. Capture (input) devices

They convert real-world media into digital form: keyboard and mouse (text, control), microphone with sound card (audio), digital camera, camcorder and video capture card (images, video), scanner and graphics tablet (images, drawings).

#### 2. Computer system (processing)

- **Processor and memory:** a fast CPU, large RAM and often a GPU are required because audio and video processing and compression are heavy.
- **Expansion cards:** sound card, graphics card, video capture and TV tuner cards.
- **Operating system:** with multimedia support such as real-time scheduling, device drivers and media APIs.

#### 3. Storage devices

Multimedia data is large, so high-capacity storage is needed: hard disks and RAID for fast access, optical discs (CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray), flash drives and memory cards, and tape for archives.

#### 4. Communication networks

Used to deliver multimedia to remote users: LAN, WAN, Internet, wireless networks and broadcast networks. They need high bandwidth, low delay and jitter, and QoS support for streaming and conferencing.

#### 5. Output (presentation) devices

Monitor or projector for images and video, loudspeakers and headphones for sound, printers for hard copy, and VR headsets or touch screens for interaction.

#### 6. Software

- **Media editing tools:** image editors (Photoshop), audio editors (Audacity), video editors, animation tools.
- **Authoring tools:** put media together with interaction (Flash, Director, PowerPoint).
- **Compression software/codecs** and **player** software.
- **Database and application software.**

#### 7. Content and people

Text, audio, video and graphics data, created by designers, programmers, artists and subject experts. Without good content the hardware has no use.

#### Example configuration

A basic multimedia PC for education has: a Core i5 or better CPU, 8 GB RAM, a graphics card and sound card, 1 TB hard disk and DVD writer, webcam with microphone, colour scanner, 24-inch monitor, speakers and headphones, broadband Internet, Windows or Linux with media players, plus software such as Photoshop, Audacity and Flash for creating the content.

#### Summary of roles

| Component | Role |
|---|---|
| Capture devices | Convert real media to digital data |
| Computer system | Process, compress and integrate media |
| Storage | Keep very large media files |
| Network | Deliver media to distant users |
| Output devices | Present the media to users |
| Software and content | Create, control and give meaning to the media |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the role of capture (input) devices?
   A. Deliver media to remote users
   B. Keep very large media files
   C. Present media to the user
   D. Convert real-world media into digital form
   Answer: D. Capture devices such as microphones, cameras and scanners convert real media into digital data. (Key point: Capture devices)

2. Why does a multimedia computer need a fast CPU, large RAM and often a GPU?
   A. Because audio and video processing and compression are heavy
   B. Because text needs much memory
   C. Because networks need no bandwidth
   D. Because storage is always small
   Answer: A. Audio and video processing and compression are computationally heavy. (Key point: Processing requirements)

3. Which properties must a network have to deliver streaming and conferencing?
   A. Low bandwidth and high jitter
   B. High bandwidth, low delay and jitter, and QoS support
   C. Only wireless links
   D. No QoS support
   Answer: B. Streaming and conferencing need high bandwidth, low delay and jitter, and QoS support. (Key point: Network requirements)

4. Which software component puts media together with interaction?
   A. Compression codec
   B. Media player
   C. Authoring tool such as Flash or Director
   D. Database software
   Answer: C. Authoring tools combine media and add interaction; examples are Flash, Director and PowerPoint. (Key point: Authoring tools)

## Related in Multimedia System

- [Multimedia interface components](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fmultimedia_system%3Aui-interface-components) — Multimedia System, chapter 6, asked 2×
- [Abstraction levels of multimedia programming](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fmultimedia_system%3Aabstraction-levels-programming) — Multimedia System, chapter 7, asked 6×

## Related in other subjects

- [Short note: GIS components and sub-systems](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsurveying_ii%3Agis-components-subsystems) — Surveying II, chapter 10, asked 11×
- [Water cooling systems and components](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Finternal_combustion_engines%3Awater-cooling-systems-components) — Internal Combustion Engines, chapter 7
- [PLL components and AM demodulation using PLL](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fcommunication_systems%3Apll-components-am-demod) — Communication Systems, chapter 2, asked 3×
- [True/false: derivative controllers always used with others](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcontrol_systems%3Aderivative-always-with-others) — Control Systems, chapter 7, asked 3×