Core Java Media Framework

Rating:
Summary: Adequate, not up to other "Core" books I've read
Review: deCarmo's book is just ok. The code fragments are never brought together into complete programs, a lack I find confusing. Lots of typos, dumb errors, and childish graphics suggest that he was poorly served by the Prentice Hall editors.

The book lurches from topic to topic and presents complicated examples first, then follows them with "but of course that's too hard so here's a simpler way," adding to the confusion. The exposition would be improved with SIMPLE and COMPLETE examples, before descending into the details and corner cases.

deCarmo seems to have a chip on his shoulder about Microsoft. The catty side comments in earlier sections of the book are distracting and waste the reader's time. He'd do better to concentrate on the task at hand, the Java Media Framework.

After finishing the book, I found it's obsolete. This isn't the author's fault, naturally, but I wish the book had an Author's Note with a date. That would have clued me into the book's age and perhaps have saved me $45 plus tax.

This book lessens the reputation of the Prentice Hall "Core" series.

Rating:
Summary: JMF is Critical to Your Success as a Java Programmer!
Review: For years I struggled to squeeze multimedia performance out of Java. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried, the initial Java Development Kits (or JDKs) were so primitive that serious multimedia development was impossible. In fact, until Sun released the Java Multimedia Framework (or JMF), I thought that multimedia development under Java was hopeless!

It is no exaggeration to say that JMF is the most exciting addition to the Java programming family since the release of the initial JDK. Not only does it spice up your programs with digital video and audio, but you can extend JMF to support intriguing new multimedia technologies such as DVD. Since JMF is destined to alter the Java programming landscape, it is critical that every Java programmer be proficient in its usage.

Alas, JMF's potential is locked up inside Sun's documentation. While Sun has done a thorough job of documenting JMFs APIs, they don't provide you with the crucial insights necessary to create optimized applications. Therefore, I decided to write Core JMF.

Core JMF is not a warmed over version of Sun's programming guidelines. Rather, it focuses on filling in the missing pieces in the JMF documentation so you can create cool programs. When it is appropriate, I praise Sun for excellent design decisions. Similarly, I don't hesitate to point out problems in JMF that you should avoid. You'll also find unique optimization techniques, bug reports and undocumented JMF programming guidelines.

All of these programming insights would be wasted if Core JMF provided trivial sample source code. Consequently, I've created realistic source code examples of how to use JMF in your programs. You'll see samples of how to meld Java beans with multimedia, synchronize CD Audio with closed caption text, monitor live Internet audio streams, and use your Java multimedia objects inside C or C++.

This book assumes that you are familiar with basic features of the Java language. However, you do not have to be a multimedia guru to use it. Core JMF provides all the background material necessary to understand fundamental multimedia concepts and begin multimedia programming. If you are already adept at multimedia programming in QuickTime, DirectShow or MCI, Core JMF is the tool you need to transfer your expertise to the Java platform.

Please visit the official Core Java Media Framework web page to get detailed information on the CD contents, read sample chapters and obtain updates.

Rating:
Summary: If only more programming books were like this
Review: Here is a book that doesn't just rehash APIs or what is available in the standard docs. In the spririt of Geary's JFC books, this book gets right inside the subject matter and puts it in a real-world context. i.e. if you are doing abc, then you need to be aware of xyz and 123 as well as whatever the right series of APIs are to call.

It is accomplished writing with good and frequent use of diagrams and graphics to help explain the material presented.

Finally, the many core tips provided show just how useful this book is and insightful and experienced the author is.

The excessive bolding, used for code, can make for some visual distraction, but this also shows the amount of reference to to the real thing in the text itself.

Yeah, I really liked this one!

Rating:
Summary: The author is not responaible at all!!
Review: I am a graduate student in computer science major. I bought this book one month ago and I tried to run several source code provided by this book, surprisingly I found none of them works!!! I had debug so many bugs...and find those codes are just WRONG!! I never could believe this book could coming out on the market!! The author is not responaible for readers!! Please do check the book before you buy it!! Don't waste your momney!

Rating:
Summary: The author is not responsible for readers!!
Review: I am a graduate student in computer science major. I have to say that's the worst book I had read. First, this book does not provide the complete clear explanation for some concepts. It just intruduces something, but never go to detail. Second, so many mistakes coming out this books, I am wondering how could this book coming out for the market? Third, the source code does not work at all. There are so many bugs in it, and code provided has some key mistakes! As a student, I bought this book for my research project and I was very disappointed!! I suggested if you want to buy some books about JMF, please do check first! JMF reference guide from sun is a nice reference. Good luck!

Rating:
Summary: An okay book
Review: I got this book thinking that it would give me an in-depth analysis of RTP and real-time streaming over the Internet. There is only one chapter (ch. 19) devoted to this subject, and believe me, it will not leave you satisfied.

The reason I give 3 stars to the book is because it's not bad all together. In other words, it gives bits and pieces and explains what works with what, but just when you are ready for more, the chapter ends and you feel like somebody just took food out of your mouth, just when you were enjoying it and ready to swallow.

Also if you want JMF 2.0 stuff save yourself some money because the book covers only JMF 1.1

Rating:
Summary: An okay book
Review: I got this book thinking that it would give me an in-depth analysis of RTP and real-time streaming over the Internet. There is only one chapter (ch. 19) devoted to this subject, and believe me, it will not leave you satisfied.

The reason I give 3 stars to the book is because it's not bad all together. In other words, it gives bits and pieces and explains what works with what, but just when you are ready for more, the chapter ends and you feel like somebody just took food out of your mouth, just when you were enjoying it and ready to swallow.

Also if you want JMF 2.0 stuff save yourself some money because the book covers only JMF 1.1

Rating:
Summary: Thorough coverage with an even-handed treatment
Review: The author has obviously used the API extensively and it shows in the thorough treatment of the JMF. deCarmo not only discusses what works, he also exposes the JMF warts - and then goes on to show you how to deal with them. This is obviously someone who's demonstrating how to write commercial grade JMF code and not just giving simplistic examples.

So many books of this type are just a regurgitation of the API. I was very pleased to see this book has a lot of substance and is a great help in developing real-world applications.

Rating:
Summary: Book is just an Overview of JMF
Review: Well I bought this book thinking I would be able to do some serious JMF programming but was displeased. I found this book give just an overview and does not go deep enough. My suggestion is not to buy this book. It is not at all in league with other Core Java Books.

Rating:
Summary: Book is just an Overview of JMF
Review: Well I bought this book thinking I would be able to do some serious JMF programming but was displeased. I found this book give just an overview and does not go deep enough. My suggestion is not to buy this book. It is not at all in league with other Core Java Books.