Part of the reason for this is that even within a single area, for example, images, one standard cannot provide a suitable solution for all applications. Choosing the right standard involves choosing the right standard for that particular application. This report will look at the standards in the area of multimedia. The first section, will look at what a standard actually is, why is important to use them, and how to choose the right standard for the job. The second section will give an overview of multimedia standards.
Standards are in use everywhere, in every aspect of everyday life.
For the most part, we simply are not aware that standards are being used, it is only when standards are not used and problems arise that we notice. For example, UK electrical appliances connect to a 240V power supply using a three pin plug. In the UK this works fine, because one standard is used across the country. Outside the UK, however, it is a different matter, as there are a variety of different plug types and voltages. So, a standard implies consistency and conformity, which means they facilitate interoperability and compatibility.