The Encyclopedia of Multimedia provides in-depth coverage of the important concepts, issues and technology trends in the field of multimedia technologies, systems, techniques, and applications. It is a comprehensive collection of entries in A-Z format, presenting perspectives and future trends in the field from hundreds of leading researchers and world experts. The Editor-in-Chief, Borko Furht, in collaboration with the Editorial Board and numerous contributors, surveyed and divided the field of multimedia into specific topics that collectively encompass the foundations, technologies, applications, and emerging elements of this exciting field. Borko Furht is also the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Multimedia Tools and Applications, a Springer journal. This essential reference features: --Topics ranging from multimedia servers, to multimedia databases and multimedia networks and communications, to emerging multimedia applications --The most sought-after topics in multimedia, including new standards --Cross referenced entries The intended audience of the Encyclopedia of Multimedia is technically diverse and broad; it includes everyone concerned with multimedia systems and their applications.