Introduction to Data Compression, Second Edition

Rating:
Summary: Math heavy, maybe that's why I loved it
Review: This book was very math intensive on one hand, though on the other hand the pictorial descriptions of compression algorithms made it easy to flip through the book and decide which algorithms were applicable for you. All in all, a great book.

Rating:
Summary: This is a great book (even better for a text in a class)
Review: This is a great text for graduate course in data compression.
Very comprehensive and up-to-dated. Especially, I like its rich list of references for further study.

Rating:
Summary: Could benefit by including example code
Review: This textbook is fairly comprehensive on the various compression algorithms, and the theory behind them. However, a CD with included sample code and the "example" pictures mentioned in the text would have helped tremendously in conveying the material. As it is, the text tries to explain the algorithms using math with no sample code whatsoever.

Rating:
Summary: Could benefit by including example code
Review: This textbook is fairly comprehensive on the various compression algorithms, and the theory behind them. However, a CD with included sample code and the "example" pictures mentioned in the text would have helped tremendously in conveying the material. As it is, the text tries to explain the algorithms using math with no sample code whatsoever.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent textbook
Review: While some books may cover individual compression techniques in finer detail, Sayood's book provides the best comprehensive overview of the data compression field including video, voice, images, text, music, etc. The reader gains a deep respect for the underlying mathematical basis for compression without being inundated with complex mathematics. I use this book for a senior undergrad / beginning grad student level course at the University of Delaware, and strongly recommend it to others.