Physical Platforms
What is a physical platform?
A physical platform is a piece of hardware — a physical device — that displays or plays back a media product. Unlike online distribution, which delivers content across the internet, physical platforms are the actual screens and machines that the audience uses to view the content.
It is worth being clear on this distinction: a website or an app is not a physical platform. The computer, tablet, or phone that displays them is. The exam has caught students out on this exact point, so keep it in mind.
The four physical platforms you need to know are: computer, interactive TV, kiosks, and mobile devices.
Computer
A computer — whether a desktop or a laptop — is one of the most versatile display platforms available. Computers typically feature large, high-resolution screens capable of displaying detailed images and high-definition video. They also have significant processing power, which means they can handle large, complex files without difficulty.
Advantages include the ability to display high-quality, high-resolution content, support for a wide range of file formats, and a large screen size that suits detailed visual work. Computers are also used with peripherals like speakers and headphones, making them suitable for audio-rich products.
Disadvantages include the fact that a computer is not portable in the way a smartphone is, and the viewing experience is largely solitary — it is not designed for group audiences. The variety of different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) can also create compatibility considerations for certain software-based products.
Because computers have strong processing power and large storage capacity, they can handle both compressed and uncompressed file formats. However, if the product is intended to run directly from a computer without an internet connection, larger uncompressed files are more viable here than on a mobile device.
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