A complete, professional 'bible' on all aspects of audio and video compression using MPEG technology, including the MPEG-4 standard and, in this second edition, H-264. The clarity of explanation and depth of technical detail combine to make this book an essential and definitive reference work. THE MPEG HANDBOOK is both a theoretical and practical treatment of the subject. Fundamental knowledge is provided alongside practical guidance on how to avoid pitfalls and poor quality. The often-neglected issues of reconstructing the signal timebase at the decoder and of synchronizing the signals in a multiplex are treated fully here. Benefit from John Watkinson's in-depth understanding of MPEG technology with explanations developed and proven in seminars presented worldwide Comprehensive coverage of the main and latest standards--MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H-264 Learn how you can apply MPEG technology to achieve the best quality Coverage of enabling technologies such as interpolation, motion estimation and transforms An invaluable treatment of significant new extensions made available by MPEG-4, such as object coding, mesh coding and animation Essential reading for those involved with the delivery of compressed audio, video, graphics and interactive capability over the Internet and broadband networks Previously titled MPEG-2, the book is frequently revised to cover the latest applications of the technology.