Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The Practical Guide to MPEG 4 offers an up to date introduction to this important interactive and multimedia compression standard (including MPEG-4 Part 10), with real examples and information as to how and where this new technology should be used. All aspects of MPEG-4 that are relevant in today's technical landscape are described in this book, including video and audio creation, production, distribution, reception and consumption environment. This book explains everything you really need to know in jargon-free language: interactive systems, content management, deployment, licensing and business models.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Chapter 1 Introduction (p. 1)
• 1.1 Scanning the Issue (p. 1)
• 1.2 Why Write Another Book on MPEG-4? (p. 3)
• 1.3 Understanding Technology (p. 5)
• 1.4 Acknowledgments (p. 5)
• Chapter 2 MPEG-Organization and Standard (p. 7)
• 2.1 MPEG-the Standardization Body (p. 8)
• 2.2 MPEG-the Standardization Process (p. 19)
• 2.3 The MPEG Saga So Far (p. 43)
• 2.4 Why Use MPEG-4? (p. 55)
• 2.5 Criticizing MPEG-4 (p. 57)
• 2.6 Bibliography (p. 58)
• 2.7 References (p. 58)
• Chapter 3 The Technology in the Standard (p. 59)
• 3.1 The Trends Behind MPEG-4 (p. 59)
• 3.2 Roles (p. 69)
• 3.3 The Architecture of an MPEG-4 Terminal (p. 73)
• 3.4 MPEG-4 Comes in Several Parts (p. 78)
• 3.5 Toward Interoperable Terminals (p. 104)
• 3.6 Overview of Profiles in MPEG-4 (p. 110)
• 3.7 Graphics Profiles (p. 121)
• 3.8 Scene Graph Profiles (p. 123)
• 3.9 Testing in MPEG-4 (p. 125)
• 3.10 MPEG-4 Keeps Adding Tools (p. 129)
• 3.11 Bibliography (p. 129)
• Chapter 4 Technology Beyond the Standard (p. 131)
• 4.1 Why Do We Need Compression to Begin With? (p. 131)
• 4.2 What Actually Is Compression for Audio-Visual Data? (p. 139)
• 4.3 Do We Still Need Compression in the Future? (p. 151)
• 4.4 Measuring Coding Performance-Science, Marketing, or a Black Art? (p. 153)
• 4.5 Different Value Networks for Compression (p. 168)
• 4.6 Technology Landscape (p. 177)
• 4.7 Innovative Technology-FCB or Brave New World? (p. 186)
• 4.8 Bibliography (p. 190)
• 4.9 References (p. 190)
• Chapter 5 Business-Technology Interface (p. 191)
• 5.1 When Technology Meets Business (p. 191)
• 5.2 Arguments for MPEG-4 (p. 193)
• 5.3 MPEG-4 in Action (p. 205)
• 5.4 MPEG-4 in Business (p. 223)
• 5.5 MPEG-4 and the Costs (p. 233)
• 5.6 MPEG-4 Licensing (p. 238)
• 5.7 Bibliography (p. 264)
• Chapter 6 Looking Ahead-Migration and Adoption Issues (p. 265)
• 6.1 Migration and Transition (p. 266)
• 6.2 Compression Remains Important (p. 275)
• 6.3 Advances in Technology-What About Patents? (p. 278)
• 6.4 Conclusions (p. 283)
• 6.5 Bibliography (p. 285)
• Glossary (p. 287)
• Index (p. 311)