Multimedia Information Storage and Retrieval: Techniques and Technologies

Citation

Cloete, L. (2009), "Multimedia Information Storage and Retrieval: Techniques and Technologies", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 484-485. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830910988621

The majority of modern information systems include multimedia such as text, graphics, images, sound, audio and video. Multimedia applications include video‐on‐demand systems, interactive television and video conferencing. An essential requirement of all information systems is the ability to locate and retrieve information and data objects. This presents new challenges and obstacles for the multimedia industry. Multimedia Information Storage and Retrieval: Techniques and Technologies explains the techniques for storing and retrieving multimedia information in multimedia storage systems. It describes – with examples – the internal architecture of multimedia information storage systems and hierarchical storage systems.

The book is divided into six sections. Section 1 is a background section and explores multimedia information, storage system architectures and data compression techniques and standards. Section 2(a) covers data placement on disks, and Section 2(b) covers data placement in hierarchical storage systems. In Section 3 disk scheduling methods are explained, including scheduling methods for disk requests, feasibility conditions of concurrent streams and scheduling methods for request streams. Section 4 provides information about such data migration methods as staging, time slicing, normal pipelining, space‐efficient pipelining and segmented pipelining. In Section 5, on cache replacement policy, the cache replacement methods of multimedia servers are described. The three methods discussed are memory caching methods, stream dependent caching and cooperative web caching.

Discussions and explanations in the book are accompanied by clear illustrations and diagrams. Each section and chapter concludes with a summary which assists the reader to obtain a quick overview of what is covered in that section or chapter. Each chapter also has a list of references for further reading on the topics discussed. The book has an index to locate information on the most important topics covered.

The book includes mathematical modelling and algorithms to explain many of the storage and retrieval aspects. For a reader without the necessary mathematical or computer science or electronic engineering background, these explanations may be difficult to follow. The text of the book is, however, well structured with clear organisation, and most readers should find it easy to follow.

The author, Philip K.C. Tse, is with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of the University of Hong Kong. He has taught computer science and information technology at a number of universities and also has more than 12 years' experience in the industry.

This book is aimed at academic and research libraries as well as system designers and those working in the multimedia industry – especially those involved in multimedia technology, information storage solutions, data management and interactive video systems.