A new multimedia technology today-a standards challenge for the future

Abstract

The Internet, only 30 years old this year, has had an enormous effect on the world during these final years of the 20th century. Quickly evolving from simple lines of text in its first dimension; to hyperlinked, textual graphical multimedia in its second dimension; then to the simulated reality of three-dimensional images. Adding sound, video and interactivity to these image types, the cyberworld seemed to be approaching reality in its look and feel. Of course, there is still more before we are really able to experience images as if we were in the real place. For one, we need to experience time in space; we need to be able to move about in our 3D world; we need to feel as if we were immersed in and surrounded by this world. Though some may think we are a long way from this immersive reality, the multimedia technology to produce such a world exists today. Early applications have already tiptoed onto the scene. It is with this fourth dimension we believe we will move into the 21st century and beyond. I introduce this technology, explain its components, and how I envision its being standardized and applied to future environments.