what is compression in mutimdedia?
Compression
Because of the size and rate requirements of multimedia systems, multimedia files are often compressed from their original form to a much smaller form. Once a file has been compressed, it takes up less space for storage and can be delivered to a client more quickly. Compression is particularly important when the content is being streamed across a network connection. In discussing file compression, we often refer to the compression ratio, which is the ratio of the original file size to the size of the compressed file. For example, an 800-KB file that is compressed to 100 KB has a compression ratio of 8:1.
Once a file has been compressed (encoded), it must be decompressed (decoded) before it can be accessed. A feature of the algorithm used to compress the file affects the later decompression. Compression algorithms are classified as either lossy or lossless. With lossy compression, some of the original data are lost when the file is decoded, whereas lossless compression ensures that the compressed file can always be restored back to its original form. In general, lossy techniques provide much higher compression ratios.
Obviously, though, 20.2 Compression 719 only certain types of data can tolerate lossy compression—namely, images, audio, and video. Lossy compression algorithms often work by eliminating certain data, such as very high or low frequencies that a human ear cannot detect. Some lossy compression algorithms used on video operate by storing only the differences between successive frames. Lossless algorithms are used for compressing text files, such as computer programs (for example, zipping files), because we want to restore these compressed files to their original state.
A number of different lossy compression schemes for continuous-media data are commercially available. In this section, we cover one used by the Moving Picture Experts Group, better known as MPEG. MPEG refers to a set of file formats and compression standards for digital video. Because digital video often contains an audio portion as well, each of the standards is divided into three layers. Layers 3 and 2 apply to the audio and video portions of the media file.
Layer 1 is known as the systems layer and contains timing information to allow the MPEG player to multiplex the audio and video portions so that they are synchronized during playback. There are three major MPEG standards: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4. MPEG-1 is used for digital video and its associated audio stream.
The resolution of MPEG-1 is 352 x 240 at 30 frames per second with a bit rate of up to 1.5 Mbps. This provides a quality slightly lower than that of conventional VCR videos. MP3 audio files (a popular medium for storing music) use the audio layer (layer 3) of MPEG-1. For video, MPEG-1 can achieve a compression ratio of up to 200:1, although in practice compression ratios are much lower. Because MPEG-1 does not require high data rates, it is often used to download short video clips over the Internet.
MPEG-2 provides better quality than MPEG-1 and is used for compressing DVD movies and digital television (including high-definition television, or HDTV). MPEG-2 identifies a number of levels and profiles of video compression.
The level refers to the resolution of the video; the profile characterizes the video's quality. In general, the higher the level of resolution and the better the quality of the video, the higher the required data rate. Typical bit rates for MPEG-2 encoded files are 1.5 Mbps to 15 Mbps. Because MPEG-2 requires higher rates, it is often unsuitable for delivery of video across a network and is generally used for local playback.
MPEG-4 is the most recent of the standards and is used to transmit audio, video, and graphics, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional animation layers. Animation makes it possible for end users to interact with the file during playback. For example, a potential home buyer can download an MPEG-4 file and take a virtual tour through a home she is considering purchasing, moving from room to room as she chooses.
Another appealing feature of MPEG-4 is that it provides a scalable level of quality, allowing delivery over relatively slow network connections such as 56-Kbps modems or over high-speed local area networks with rates of several megabits per second. Furthermore, by providing a scalable level of quality, MPEG-4 audio and video files can be delivered to wireless devices, including handheld computers, PDAs, and cell phones.
All three MPEG standards discussed here perform lossy compression to achieve high compression ratios. The fundamental idea behind MPEG compression is to store the differences between successive frames. We do not cover further details of how MPEG performs compression but rather encourage the interested reader to consult the bibliographical notes at the end of this chapter.
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