The ABCs of MPC: Has the PC graduated to multimedia?
Article Abstract:
The Macintosh and the Amiga microcomputers have been at the forefront of micromedia developments with PCs relegated to the background. The arrival of the Multimedia Personal Computer (MPC) seems likely to change this. MPC is not a particular computer, but is a set of standards established by a group called the MPC Marketing Council. Products that bear the MPC logo or are compatible with its specifications will be suitable for multimedia applications. Some companies already have committed to manufacture MPC machines. Other companies plan upgrade kits, which typically will consist of a CD-ROM drive, an audio card and Microsoft Corp's Multimedia Extensions (MMEs) for Windows. MPC calls for at least 2Mbytes of system memory, but this is an absolute minimum. Applications involving presentations or desktop video might easily require 8Mbytes of RAM and a fast 80486-based computer. The MPC specification does not currently include provisions for animation or video, but the Media Control Interface (MCI) portion of Microsoft's Multimedia Extensions is built according to an open architecture so that animation and video will no doubt soon be added. MPC machines are still pricey, starting at about $3,500. There are, as yet, not very many programs for them.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1992
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Make your move: add sound and motion for dynamic presentations
Article Abstract:
Four presentation software packages that add sound and motion for dynamic presentations are evaluated. The packages are: Madison Ave, $169.95 from Eclipse Technologies; Curtain Call, $199.95 from Zuma Group; Action, $495 from MacroMedia; and Animation Works interactive, $495 from Gold Disk Inc. These are products that retail for almost the same price as less capable presentation software packages. Animation Works Interactive is the most sophisticated of the packages mentioned here and features a three-step process: creation of an animated object, creation of a background and the combining of the elements to create a movie. The elements can be edited in Background Editor, Cel Editor and Movie Editor. Curtain Call uses a spreadsheet-like interface and is highly rated for being a full-featured painting program with rendering and MIDI that is user friendly. Madison Ave is a slide presentation software package with extra features that allow screen images to move from existing MS-DOS or Windows applications; Screen images are grabbed using the Camera program. Action offers access and flexibility to data and gives motion to objects and transitions to images. Objects are grouped into scenes after the storyboard is developed.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1992
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DeBabelizer 1.4.2: change file formats, color palettes, and more with this indispensable graphics utility
Article Abstract:
The $299 DeBabelizer 1.4.2 software package from Equilibrium Technologies is a highly useful Macintosh utility that can automatically convert image and animation files among more than 40 formats and many hardware and software platforms, including Macintosh, MS-DOS, MS-Windows, X-Windows, Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics and Amiga. DeBabelizer enables the user to create graphics and animation on any platform with little concern for what environment the work will be output on. This capability plus a batch conversion mode can save numerous hours in the graphics production process. DeBabelizer also features an outstanding automatic color-palette dithering facility that enables convergence of disparate images to a single palette and speeding animations and multimedia presentations by displaying graphics at a lower color depth. The software was rated 4.5 stars on a scale of five.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1993
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