Introduction to Multimedia Communications: Applications, Middleware, Networking introduces the state-of-the-art technology and skills needed to design integrated multimedia systems, combining text, graphics, audio, and video. The authors draw from the latest developments in multimedia communications, providing a unique balance between the theory, standardization activities, and best design techniques for content creation and management.

Following a general introduction to the field, the publication takes you through the core technologies for success:

• The convergence of communications and computing for integrated multimedia applications and services (Internet services, broadcasting, information technology, and home electronics)
• The frameworks for multimedia standardization, including the ITU-T, MEDIACOM 2004, and ISO/IEC MPEG-21 frameworks
• The application layer (ITU, ISO MPEG, ETSI, DVB, ATSC, and IETF multimedia applications); middleware layer (media coding, conversion and media-streaming middleware); and network layer (Quality of Service, network performance, and traffic analysis and management)

With more than 250 figures and 570 references, this is a must-have resource for graduate-level computer science, electrical engineering, and IT students, as well as practicing engineers and scientists involved in the study, research, development, and management of multimedia communication systems.

About the Author
K. R. RAO, PhD, is Professor of Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Rao, along with two colleagues, developed and introduced the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) in 1975, widely used in digital signal processing. He has authored and edited numerous books and published extensively in leading engineering journals.

ZORAN S. BOJKOVIC, PhD, is Professor of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia. He has coauthored two books with Dr. Rao.

DRAGORAD A. MILOVANOVIC, is a PhD candidate, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Serbia.