About the Book:

Convergence in Broadcast and Communications Media offers concise and accurate information for engineers and technicians tackling products and systems combining audio, video, data processing and communications. Without adequate fundamental knowledge of the core technologies, products could be flawed or even fail. John Watkinson has provided a definitive professional guide, designed as a standard point of reference for engineers, whether you are from an audio, video, computer or communications background.

Without assuming any background and starting from first principles, the four core technologies of image reproduction, sound reproduction, data processing and communications are described. Covering everything from digital fundamentals to conversion methods, sound and image technologies, compression techniques, digital coding principles, storage devices and the latest communications systems, the book shows how these technologies operate together and the necessary conversions that take place between them. Acronyms and buzzwords are introduced only after their purpose has been described in plain English — as the book serves to give a reliable grasp of the fundamentals. The criteria involved in determining image and sound quality are based on a thorough treatment of the human senses, a unique description of how motion portrayal works in managing systems.

• A fundamental approach to audio, video, data processing and communications systems.

• Written for engineers of any discipline (audio, video, computers, communications)

• Demonstrates audio and video principles alongside the essential communications technologies: • MPEG transport streams • DVB • Networks • Telephony • ADSL • Firewire • ATM

What people say:

"With the communications world almost totally digital in its approach and the various disciplines not so much converged as collided, there is great need for a volume such as this which embraces each area and neatly joins them as though they had always been one. This is also a book you can dip into and just tease out the information you require, so no matter what your interest is you will be able to see clearly how it relates and merges, indeed converges with the other sectors of the industry. Anyone working in the communications industry should have a copy of this book on his or her reference shelf." — Journal of Educational Media

About the Author:

John Watkinson is an independent international consultant in advanced applications of electronics to audiovisual and avionics systems. He is a Fellow of the AES, a member of the Society of Expert Witnesses, and the British Computer Society and is a chartered information systems practitioner. He presents lectures, seminars and training courses worldwide. He is the author of many books, including Convergence in Broadcast and Communications Media.