First Published in 2005. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Compression technology has been employed for a long time, but until recently the technology was too complex for everyday applications. However, compression has now reached the stage where it can economically be applied to video and audio systems on a wide scale. This book recognises the wide applications of compression by treating the subject from first principles without assuming any particular background for the reader. An introductory chapter is included which suggests some applications of compression and how it works in a simplified form. In addition a fundamentals chapter contains all of the background necessary to follow the rest of the book. Theory is balanced with a wide range of practical applications in transmission and recording and throughout the book the reader will find notes of caution and outlines of various pitfalls for the unwary. Various descriptions are also included of the kinds of impairments which can result from the misuse of compression. John Watkinson is an independent consultant in digital video, audio and data technology. he is a fellow of the AES and presents lectures, conference papers and training courses worldwide. he is the author of numerous other Focal press books, including the Art of Digital Audio, the Art of Digital Video (both now in their second edition) and The Art of Data Recording, An Introduction to Digital Audio, An Introduction to Digital Video, The Digital Videotape recorder and RDAT. he is also co-author, with Francis Rumsey of The Digital Interface Handbook. covers basic principles no unnecessary mathematics includes a wide range of practical applications

Learn how to compress video and audio with optimal quality and minimal hassles. Renowned expert Ben Waggoner teaches you to improve the quality of your final content and develop effective workflows. Understand the basic concepts of vision and hearing, apply that knowledge in the context of compression, then move onto practical, applicable information for creating, editing, and compressing the best video and audio, whether you're delivering for the web, DVD, Blu-ray, phones, or beyond. Clear examples of how to make the best choices in real-world projects Covers Mac and Windows products for a complete look at today's compression technologies: all the different tools, codecs, and formats for different kinds of deliverables are described, focusing on how to pick the right options for particular projects, players, and sources Formats Windows Media QuickTime Flash FLV and F4V MPEG-4 and H.264 MPEG-2 Ogg Vorbis and Theora Silverlight and Smooth Streaming Devices iPod and iPhone Zune HD Playstation Portable Playstation 3 Xbox 360 DVD and Blu-ray

Video compression is not a new process; however, it is forever evolving. New standards, codecs, and ways of getting the job done are continually being created. Newcomers to video compression and seasoned veterans alike need to know how to harness the tools and use them for specific workflows for broadcast, the Web, Blu-rays, set-top boxes, digital cinema, and mobile devices. Here to guide you through the multitude of formats and confusing array of specifications, Andy Beach and Aaron Owen use a practical, straightforward approach to explaining video compression. After covering the fundamentals of audio and video compression, they explore the current applications for encoding, discuss the common workflows associated with each, and then look at the most common delivery platforms. The book includes examples from the authors’ projects as well as recipes that offer a way to define some of the best practices of video compression today. This invaluable resource gives you: proven techniques for delivering video online, or via disc or other devices. clear, straightforward explanations that cut through the jargon. step-by-step instructions for using a wide variety of encoding tools. workflow tips for performing either stand-alone or batch compressions. insight and advice from top compression professionals sprinkled throughout.

Provides a single place where both novices and practiced hands can learn to get optimum video and audio compression done with minimum hassles.

Here is a fully readable introduction to the basic technologies, infrastructures, costs, and applications for digital audio and video compression. Delivering a concise account of compression's terms, techniques, and tricks in an easy-to-read style, it covers the basic principles underlying digital signal processing and compression; how human beings see and hear; how audio and video are reproduced; all of the existing and emerging compression standards; video and audio compression techniques; and compression and reproduction requirements of different applications, including videoconferencing.

One of the first books on the topic to demystify the various approaches to video compression, this title shows readers how to compress video according to the specific requirements of their projects. It allows them to learn some best practices by following the author's own tips and recipes.