- What Is Linear Vs Nonlinear Multimedia?
Linear and non-linear multimedia are two different categories that are applicable to the world of multimedia. The main difference is that linear multimedia does not feature any sort of navigational abilities. The linear multimedia will go from the start all the way through to the finish without variation. Non-linear media is the opposite; it doesn't follow that one-way structure and instead allows free movement around all aspects of the multimedia in any order.
- What does the term 'multimedia' refer to?
Multimedia refers to all types of media that are available to people through all the different mediums available. These include audio, video, animation, still imagery, text and interactivity.
- Multimedia in context: An example
One of the best examples of non-linear multimedia would be the Internet. It is a network of websites that are all connected and users can navigate from one webpage to the next without any sort of order or structure required. The Internet would be very frustrating to use if it was to follow a linear structure.
However - a multimedia presentation would follow more of a linear structure. This is because it would give the presentation a chronological order and a lot more focus than if the presenters were dotting around the presentation at random. A non-linear format would not be all that beneficial in these circumstances.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both categories of multimedia. The most effective way to approach multimedia is to use both categories when the scenario is appropriate. By targeting your multimedia in the correct structure you ensuring that it is as effective as possible.
Non-linear media is a form of audiovisual media that can be interacted with by the viewer, such as by selecting television shows to watch through a video on demand type service, by playing a video game, by clicking through a website, or by interacting through social media. Non-linear media is a move away from traditional linear media, in which content is selected by the publisher to be consumed and is then done so passively.[1][2][3] There is no single specific form of non-linear media; rather, what might be considered non-linear changes as technology changes. Following the development and rise of digital non-linear media, the retronym linear (used in linear television, linear channels, etc.) was introduced to refer to programmed broadcasting.
Television[edit]
The model of traditional linear television programming is for a schedule of shows to be selected by the broadcaster and then viewed at a set time. In this model, the viewer cannot fast forward through the programming or choose to watch it at a later time. Conversely, non-linear television can be considered to be any method or technology that allows viewers to select which shows they watch and when they watch them. The ability to watch a show at any time is referred to as time shifted viewing; this can be achieved by either the consumer recording shows with a device such as a PVR for later viewing, or by the publisher providing content to be selected at will at the viewer's convenience.[4]
Non-linear content is often viewed on a device other than a television, such as a personal computer or a smartphone.[5] Video on demand (VOD) content can be transmitted over the internet via streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Starz, or Amazon Video, or it can be provided by a television provider as an additional option on top of their linear programming. Many producers of content now offer streaming of programs through their own websites, though sometimes the catalog that is offered will be curated in some way, such as by providing only recently released episodes. Video may also be downloaded – legally or illegally – through a peer-to-peer network such as BitTorrent, or it may be directly downloaded from a video hosting website.[6]
As internet speeds and the number of supported devices has increased, so has the number of people who consume non-linear media. This is evidenced by the rising popularity of over-the-top (OTT) streaming services.
Music and radio[edit]
Like other forms of non-linear media such as television, non-linear radio allows listeners to pick and listen to music and talk shows on a schedule that is set by the listener. Online music streaming services such as Spotify or Deezer are non-linear in that they allow listeners to create playlists from a library of music offered by a website;[7][8] similarly, podcasts offer the ability to download or stream prerecorded shows similar to those that are traditionally broadcast over the radio waves; in fact, some traditional radio stations allow their shows to be downloaded on demand after the show has aired over the radio in a linear manner.
See also[edit]
- Interactive fiction
- Nonlinear gameplay
References[edit]
- ^ Hartman, Dennis. "What Is Linear Marketing?". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2016-04-17. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ^ "What is the difference between linear and non-linear media applications?". Borough of Manhattan Community College. Archived from the original on 2016-04-17. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
- ^ Hasebrink, Uwe. "Linear and Non-linear Television from Viewers' Perspective". Hans-Bredow-Institut. Archived from the original on 2016-04-17. Retrieved 2022-04-21.
- ^ Doeven, Jan (February 2013). "Trends in Broadcasting: An overview of developments" (PDF). itu.int. International Telecommunication Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
- ^ "Video on demand". The Video on Demand Dictionary and Business Index. Archived from the original on 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
- ^ Ferraz, Tommy (2015-10-19). "BBC innovates in non-linear radio". Archived from the original on 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
- ^ "Born Skippy: Radio That (Intentionally) Misses A Beat". www.newslangmedia.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
- ^ "After the non-linear radio - Tommy Ferraz". Tommy Ferraz. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2016-04-25.