The fast-growing field of multimedia communications involves he use of varied media types (text, images, speech, audio and video) in a wide range of subjects areas. These include:

• How to represent the different media types in a digital form;
• The communication requirements associated with the different types of multimedia applications (video telephony/conferencing, electronic mail, interactive TV, electronic commerce, web TV, etc.
• The operation of the different types of communication networks that are used (campus networks and LANs, the internet and the world wide web, switched telephone networks, and home-entertainment networks such as cable and satellite);
• The new communication protocols and standards that have been developed for use with each of these networks to meet the more demanding requirements of multimedia application.

Multimedia Communications by Fred Halsall addresses all of these subject areas to depth that enables the reader to build up a thorough understanding of the technical issues associated with this rapidly evolving subject. In addition, the book contains all of the foundation material that is necessary to enable it to be used as a textbook in both computer science and electronic engineering departments. The book is also essential reference for computing and networking professionals.