Lossy & Lossless compression

• Why is Compression needed in Data Transfer? #1

  • Compression is crucial for reducing file size to facilitate efficient data transfer over the Internet 
  • Smaller files have faster transmission times and require less bandwidth consumption 

  
• Lossy & Lossless Compression Image

  
• Comparing Types of Compression 

  • There are two main methods of shrinking digital files: Lossy and Lossless compression 
  • In simplified terms, 
  • Lossy: Some data is discarded 
  • Lossless: Keeps everything, no data lost 
  • Thanks to Moore's Law, technology such as cameras continue to improve each year and are capable of capturing more data 
  • A Standard Definition film doesn't contain as much detail as a 4K film, because it fundamentally contains less data in the file 
  • New advancements in camera technology make it possible to capture more colour, contrast and audio data 
• Lossy Benefits

  • Greatly reduced file sizes 
  • Suitable for media streaming where some data loss is acceptable 
• Lossy Drawbacks

  • Irreversible loss of data quality 
  • Not suitable for text or archival storage 
• Lossless advantages

  • Maintains original data 
  • Best for text and data that require integrity 
• Lossless Drawback

  • Larger file sizes than lossy 
  • Requires high bandwidth when streaming 
• Recommending a type of Compression 

  To recommend a type of compression, evaluate the application's requirements: 

  • If data integrity is imperative, recommend lossless compression 
  • If achieving a small file size or quick data transfer is prioritised, and some data loss is acceptable, choose lossy compression 

  Worked Example