MEDIASTUDIO PRO USER GUIDE
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Understanding data types
The data type of a frame refers to how many bits (memory) are allocated
for displaying colors. For example, 8-bit (1 byte) data types can show a
maximum of 256 colors, while 24-bit which can show over 16 million
colors (256x256x256). Obviously, the greater the data type the larger the
file size for the video. While this may be true in most cases, you will find
that a 24-bit video can often be compressed to rates equivalent to 8-bit
video as compression schemes can easily reduce the thousands of colors
present to just a few. The main reason for choosing 8-bit over 24-bit is
that you can control the range of colors that appear in an 8-bit file by
using a color palette. This ensures that your video will display equally well
on machines running in 256 color display modes (often the requirement
for those seeking to distribute video on CD-ROM or over the Internet).
Understanding video compression
While frame rate, frame size and data type all contribute to controlling the
transfer rate, the real savings come from effective use of compression. In
general, there are two types of compression used in the digital video
world: spatial (intraframe) and temporal (interframe). By combining
these methods, video files can be saved at a fraction of the size required
for their uncompressed counterparts. For example, compression schemes,
such as MPEG, first compress the images in certain frames of a video by
finding repeated or similar patterns in the image. Then, the compression
method refers to preselected frames, (keyframes) and creates baseline data
to compare against the information in the following frames. This time, the
compression method seeks differences from the previous frame and
discards everything else. It is for this reason that videos that use a limited
number of colors and easily identified patterns, such as cartoons, tend to
compress very well, while those with much greater colors and more
random patterns, such as live video recordings, require larger file sizes.
Summary of Contents for MEDIASTUDIO PRO 6.0
Page 1: ...User Guide MediaStudio Pro Ulead Systems Inc January 2000 VERSION 6 0...
Page 22: ...MEDIASTUDIO PRO USER GUIDE 22...
Page 23: ...Tutorials Tutorials...
Page 24: ......
Page 71: ...Video Capture Video Capture...
Page 72: ......
Page 101: ...Video Editor Video Editor...
Page 102: ......
Page 211: ...Video Paint Video Paint...
Page 212: ......
Page 267: ...CG Infinity CG Infinity...
Page 268: ......
Page 303: ...Audio Editor Audio Editor...
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Page 335: ...Appendix Appendix...
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Page 345: ...Index Index...
Page 346: ...MEDIASTUDIO PRO USER GUIDE 346...