Multimedia: The Basics

For users of multimedia applications and equipment in your organization, installing Windows 95 provides an immediate multimedia upgrade. Its standard architecture for digital video, digital audio, MIDI, and file handling allow for high-quality multimedia effects. This architecture provides the following benefits:

• You can use the Media Control Interface (MCI) to run multimedia devices independently from each other.
• You have enhanced video support using the new Display Control Interface (DCI). For more information, see Chapter 19, "Devices."
• You can use built-in programs to record, edit, and play digital audio and video.
• You can easily add new multimedia hardware through the Add New Hardware option in Control Panel. The Add New Hardware option is a wizard that guides you through the steps to install and configure drivers for legacy devices. For more information, see Chapter 19, "Devices."
• You can use the new built-in file sharing to share CD_ROM drives across the network. For more information, see Chapter 11, "Logon, Browsing, and Resource Sharing."

The performance benefits from the 32-bit Windows 95 architecture ensures that Windows 95 multimedia titles can include digital video and sound with better quality than ever before.