Convergence
Convergence is described by The Missouri Group as providing a variety of outlets to a variety of audiences. Multimedia packages have to offer both convergence and interactivity to remain competitive in today’s market.
Based on this description, I found BBC News to offer a fairly successful multimedia package.
Video
“Nurse guilty of killing patients” was the top BBC story on Monday, March.3. To compare the content of text to video, I viewed both versions. Both the article and related video used Stuart Hall as a source and used the same quote.
The first 33 seconds of a police announcement video by Det Ch Supt Chris Gregg was also directly quoted at the end of the article. This means I went from reading the direct quote in the text to viewing it on video. I had consumed the same information twice.
Despite repetition of information, my combined viewing did broaden my knowledge. The video report showed Colin Norris’s interview with the Police before he was charged, a source only available through the video report.
The video also allowed me view the full police announcement instead of just reading quotes from the first 33 seconds. The most important thing gained from combining formats was context. The text chronologically set out events and the video complemented it with footage of police announcements and interviews.
Design
The BBC has the potential in place for an excellent multimedia service. The design of the site is clean and clear, an important technique when many multimedia options are available.
The main news story commands the middle of the screen. The features, views and analysis are further down in a shaded box. This visually distinguishes news from features and makes the sections accessible to readers. It also allows users to keep their viewing relevant to their needs.
Interactivity
The scope of options in the video and audio section is impressive. There are 50 video and audio reports on one page that are all available in one click.
The move towards interactivity is also evident. The “Have Your Say” section has a site for the UK, Europe/America, Africa, Asia and Middle East. This allows many opinions to be voiced, a key part of interactivity. Users are also encouraged to send in their pictures.
Quality
The foundations for a great multimedia service are visible but there is one aspect that is letting the site down – the quality of video and audio. The video quality is pixilated, is slow to load and can mostly be viewed in a small box. The accompanying sound is poor quality and out of sync with the video.
I have now switched my UK news source to Sky, because it offers a much higher quality of video footage. It is a shame that the BBC, a site with such potential for multimedia interaction, fails to meet competitor’s standards in this area.
Convergence is described by The Missouri Group as providing a variety of outlets to a variety of audiences. Multimedia packages have to offer both convergence and interactivity to remain competitive in today’s market.
Based on this description, I found BBC News to offer a fairly successful multimedia package.
Video
“Nurse guilty of killing patients” was the top BBC story on Monday, March.3. To compare the content of text to video, I viewed both versions. Both the article and related video used Stuart Hall as a source and used the same quote.
The first 33 seconds of a police announcement video by Det Ch Supt Chris Gregg was also directly quoted at the end of the article. This means I went from reading the direct quote in the text to viewing it on video. I had consumed the same information twice.
Despite repetition of information, my combined viewing did broaden my knowledge. The video report showed Colin Norris’s interview with the Police before he was charged, a source only available through the video report.
The video also allowed me view the full police announcement instead of just reading quotes from the first 33 seconds. The most important thing gained from combining formats was context. The text chronologically set out events and the video complemented it with footage of police announcements and interviews.
Design
The BBC has the potential in place for an excellent multimedia service. The design of the site is clean and clear, an important technique when many multimedia options are available.
The main news story commands the middle of the screen. The features, views and analysis are further down in a shaded box. This visually distinguishes news from features and makes the sections accessible to readers. It also allows users to keep their viewing relevant to their needs.
Interactivity
The scope of options in the video and audio section is impressive. There are 50 video and audio reports on one page that are all available in one click.
The move towards interactivity is also evident. The “Have Your Say” section has a site for the UK, Europe/America, Africa, Asia and Middle East. This allows many opinions to be voiced, a key part of interactivity. Users are also encouraged to send in their pictures.
Quality
The foundations for a great multimedia service are visible but there is one aspect that is letting the site down – the quality of video and audio. The video quality is pixilated, is slow to load and can mostly be viewed in a small box. The accompanying sound is poor quality and out of sync with the video.
I have now switched my UK news source to Sky, because it offers a much higher quality of video footage. It is a shame that the BBC, a site with such potential for multimedia interaction, fails to meet competitor’s standards in this area.
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