CM3106: Multimedia
| School | Cardiff School of Computer Science and Informatics |
| Department Code | COMSC |
| Module Code | CM3106 |
| External Subject Code | 100737 |
| Number of Credits | 20 |
| Level | L6 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Dr Kirill Sidorov |
| Semester | Autumn Semester |
| Academic Year | 2025/6 |
Outline Description of Module
To give students a broad grounding in issues surrounding multimedia, including the processing, storage, synthesis, analysis and retrieval of multimedia data (digital audio, graphics and video). This includes an in-depth study of the underlying concepts and theory for digital representations of sound, images and videos, and data compression for transmission, integration of media, and delivery of multimedia.
This module will require knowledge of: CM2208 Scientific Computing
On completion of the module a student should be able to
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Demonstrate an awareness of the factors involved in multimedia data processing and analysis through detailed study of potential problems of processing multimedia data and of implications of multimedia formats and types.
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Show familiarity, including practical investigation, with a range of multimedia formats for text, graphics, animation, audio, images and video by detailed study of common multimedia formats.
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Show familiarity with a range of common data compression methods and how they are used in common compression formats (such as MP3, JPEG and MPEG) through practical investigation and detailed study of the relevant mathematical foundations.
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Possess an understanding of the underlying concepts, representation and processing of multimedia data with relevance to the applications in digital audio, imagery and video, including digital audio processing and synthesis, audio/image/video compression and multimedia data retrieval.
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Show an understanding of the derivation from mathematical principles of underlying data compression algorithms. Possess an awareness of the underlying compression techniques utilised in common compression formats (e.g. JPEG, GIF, MPEG).
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Possess a technical appreciation of core multimedia technologies and standards for digital audio, graphics, images and videos.
How the module will be delivered
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, supervised lab sessions, example classes and tutorials as appropriate.
Skills that will be practised and developed
In depth knowledge of common multimedia data formats and compression algorithms.
Practical experience of digital audio processing and synthesis techniques and MIDI for multimedia applications using MATLAB.
Practical experience of image processing and compression techniques for multimedia applications using MATLAB.
How the module will be assessed
A blend of assessment types which may include coursework and portfolio assessments, class tests, and/or formal examinations.
Students will be provided with reassessment opportunities in line with University regulations.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam online – Autumn semester | 50 | Multimedia | 4 |
| Written Assessment | 50 | Coursework 1 | N/A |
Syllabus content
Introduction: multimedia applications and requirements.
Digital signal processing for multimedia.
Fundamentals of audio and video: analogue and digital representations, human perception, hardware, applications.
Digital audio synthesis.
Introduction to information theory.
Multimedia data compression including general purpose compression algorithms (e.g. entropy coding, LZW), perceptual transform coding for images/video (e.g. JPEG, MPEG, H.263, etc.), perceptual audio coding (e.g. MPEG Audio).
Applications and performance analysis of various coding algorithms including hardware/software trade-offs. Image and video processing applications and algorithms.