MPEG Audio technology
This tutorial covers the theory behind MPEG/audio compression. It is written for people with a modest background in digital signal processing and does not assume prior experience in audio compression or psychoacoustics. Here the goal is to give a broad, preliminary understanding of MPEG/audio compression; many details have been omitted. ... The MPEG/audio compression algorithm is the first international standard[1,2] for the digital compression of high-fidelity audio. Other audio compression algorithms address speech-only applications or provide only medium-fidelity audio compression performance. For example, Code Excited Linear Prediction (CELP)[3] is a speech coding algorithm, while m-law and Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM) are relatively simple compression algorithms that can provide medium fidelity audio compression. To contrast the complexity of the MPEG/audio algorithm with that of some simpler, generic audio compression algorithms, the annex of this paper presents the details of m-law and the ADPCM algorithm adopted by the Interactive Multimedia Association. The MPEG/audio standard is the result of over 3 years of collaborative work by an international committee of high-fidelity audio compression experts known as the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG/audio). ... Although MPEG/audio compression is perfectly suitable for audio-only applications, it is actually one part of a three part compression standard. Combined with the other two parts, video and systems, the MPEG standard addresses the compression of synchronized video and audio at a total bit rate of about 1. ... The MPEG standard is rigid only where necessary to ensure inter-operability. ... This guarantees that, regardless of origin, any fully compliant MPEG/audio decoder will be able to decode any MPEG/audio bitstream with a predictable result. A wide acceptance of this standard will permit manufacturers to produce and sell, at reasonable cost, large numbers of MPEG/audio codecs. ... 1 MPEG/audio Features and Applications MPEG/audio is a generic audio compression standard.