Customer Reviews

The MPEG-21 Book

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MPEG-21 aims at defining an open framework for multimedia delivery and consumption. MPEG-21 is based on two essential concepts: the definition of a fundamental unit of distribution and transaction (the Digital Item, or DI) and the concept of users interacting with DI's. The DI can be considered the "what" of the Multimedia Framework (e.g., a video collection, a music album) and the Users can be considered the "who" of the Multimedia Framework. The goal of MPEG-21 can thus be rephrased to: defining the technology needed to support Users to exchange, access, consume, trade and otherwise manipulate Digital Items in an efficient, transparent and interoperable way.

The first two chapters of this book are an introduction to MPEG in general and then to MPEG-21 specifically. The discussion of MPEG gives a background of the other MPEG standards - MPEG-1,2,4,and 7. This builds a context for the discussion of MPEG-21. Chapter 3 details the DI and the declaration of a DI using the XML schema-based Digital Item Declaration Language. It explains the elements used within the model and the syntax and semantics of their expressions in XML. Chapter 4 details the "protected" DI that can be created using the Intellectual Property Management and Protection (IPMP) Component tools. The chapter details the IPMP metadata that is used to describe the protection mechanism used within a given DI.

With the fundamental unit of transaction, the DI, explained, the next two chapters look at the parts of the standard related to rights. Chapter 5 is a detailed treatment of the MPEG Rights Expression Language (REL). There is an explanation of the creation of licenses using the XML-based REL and there are simple examples to illustrate the usage of the language. Chapter 6 is about the Rights Data Dictionary (RDD), which provides meaning for the metadata-based rights expressions.

Chapters 7 and 8 turn to the subject of data transport and delivery. Chapter 7 shows how DI's can be adapted to user preferences, device characteristics, and natural environments while maintaining effective delivery over a wide variety of networks. Chapter 8 describes a set of XML-based Bitstream Description (BSD) tools that can describe binary streams being delivered. These tools allow a combination of constraints, adaptation, and quality of service measurements to create a custom delivery environment that is suitable for each particular DI under a particular set of circumstances.

Chapter 9 introduces DI processing, in which a DI is made a "smart" item by incorporating Javascript and Java into the DI, thus introducing complex functionality. Chapter 10 is the final technical chapter and deals with event reports. Event reporting is necessary to describe usage of DI's for the purpose of collecting royalties based on usage and distribution. The book ends with a discussion of the future of MPEG-21 in chapter 11.

This book can't help being somewhat academic in style, since MPEG-21 is largely an unimplemented standard at this point. However, where the standards and languages have been pinned down, particularly in the realm of the various XML-based languages and tools, it is very concrete and clear with good examples and figures wherever it is possible. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the details and possibilities of this standard.