A Technical Introduction to Digital Video [Hardcover]

Charles A. Poynton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047112253X | ISBN-13: 978-0471122531 | Publication Date: January 17, 1996 | Edition: 1

Using computers and communication systems, it is easy to acquire, process, transmit, and display photographic-quality still color pictures. But the goals of smooth motion and accurate color reproduction are elusive. The technologies of digital video that are necessary to achieve these two important goals have remained inaccessible even to technical professionals-until now.

In this unique book, an internationally recognized expert addresses digital video from the perspective of computing and communications. A Technical Introduction to Digital Video is an approachable and definitive reference to the principles, algorithms, standards, and techniques of digital video.

If you are a computer system designer, engineer, programmer, or technician, you can use this book to help you learn how to apply digital video to computer systems.

If you are a television professional, this book will help you to apply digital video systems, equipment, and techniques to the emerging area of multimedia.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Poynton, who has won awards for his work integrating video and computing, has written an interesting and enlightening reference on the basic concepts and processes essential for successful design and development of digital video projects. Featuring 200 line drawings and photographs as well as 12 pages of four-color artwork, this book will prove indispensable for technical people who are not video experts.

From the Back Cover

Using computers and communication systems, it is easy to acquire, process, transmit, and display photographic-quality still color pictures. But the goals of smooth motion and accurate color reproduction are elusive. The technologies of digital video that are necessary to achieve these two important goals have remained inaccessible even to technical professionals-until now.

In this unique book, an internationally recognized expert addresses digital video from the perspective of computing and communications. A Technical Introduction to Digital Video is an approachable and definitive reference to the principles, algorithms, standards, and techniques of digital video.

If you are a computer system designer, engineer, programmer, or technician, you can use this book to help you learn how to apply digital video to computer systems.

If you are a television professional, this book will help you to apply digital video systems, equipment, and techniques to the emerging area of multimedia.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047112253X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471122531
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is almost perfect!, June 9, 2000

By 

James Song "jamsong" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Technical Introduction to Digital Video (Hardcover)

This book does a great job of explaining video concepts. You will love how Poynton starts with the basics, explains them, builds and then gets down to the nitty gritty (even down to the mathematical formulas). This book is complete & consistent.

It's perfect for technical folks who didn't know much about digital video (that was me) but needed a detailed understanding & explanation. I also think it's great for intermediate-advanced because they can always use this book as a reference. A co-worker of mine who is a video expert looked through it and was impressed. He wished there was a book like this back when he was learning.

It would have been nice if there was a section on digital video compression though.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you deal with computer graphics or video, this book is strongly recommended., June 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Technical Introduction to Digital Video (Hardcover)

An excellent reference book. Covers a variety of computer graphics as well as analog and digital video topics. Includes a very good chapter on filtering and sampling, giving an in depth explanation of aliasing effects. I recommended this book in one of my recent JavaWorld "Media Programming" columns.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This should be THE digital video textbook, June 10, 2002

By 

Coronakwl (Glendale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Technical Introduction to Digital Video (Hardcover)

This book is packed with technical information about the digital video format. Extremely detailed and thorough, it is a must-have for anyone with a serious interest in digital video. The chapters on digitized compression and image capture are priceless from the aspect of digital editing. However, because the information is so technical it is not a good book for a beginner who is still learning how to operate his or her camera.