Rik Van de Walle is the first to document MPEG-21, a current 'hot topic', which is stimulating interest in the multimedia community and quickly becoming a standardized technology. Multimedia technology provides the different players in the value and delivery chain with an excess of information and services. However, no complete solutions exist that allow different communities (content, financial, communication, computer and consumer electronics and their customers), each with their own models, rules, procedures, interests and content formats, to interact efficiently using this complex infrastructure. Developing a common (big picture) MPEG-21 multimedia framework would facilitate co-operation between sectors and support a more efficient implementation and integration of the different models, resulting in an enhanced user experience. Thus, MPEG-21, the multimedia framework, seeks to fill the gaps and create the big picture of multimedia standards. It aims to guarantee interoperability by focusing on how the elements of a multimedia application infrastructure should relate, integrate and interact. Finally, where open standards for elements are missing, MPEG-21 is providing new technologies to fill the gaps. Serving as a timely and important reference for a burgeoning market, this indispensable text is edited by multimedia experts and is an invaluable reference for all those in the industry. * MPEG-21 guarantees interoperability between multimedia systems by focusing on the elements of a multimedia application infrastructure. * Presents a comprehensive overview of the technical issues, which MPEG-21 has standardised including, DID (Digital Item Declaration), DII (Digital Item Identification) and file format and those already in a mature state (e.g. MPEG-21 Digital Item Adaption). * First book to deal with MPEG-21, which is a hot multimedia topic. * Gained significant interest from the multimedia community. * Includes chapters by leading experts in the field who have contributed to the standards development. This book is suitable for: * Researchers, engineers, Internet designers, systems engineers in telecommunications and broadcasting. * Content providers, creators and distributors in the entertainment industry. 3 rd and 4 th year students and Postgraduates in communications technology, media technology and multimedia signal processing.