Digital imaging is now so commonplace that we tend to forget how complicated and exacting the process of recording and displaying a digital image is. Of course, the process is not very complicated for the average consumer, who takes pictures with a digital camera or video recorder, then views them on a computer monitor or television. It is very convenient now to obtain prints of the digital pictures at local stores or make your own with a desktop printer. Digital imaging technology can be compared to automotive technology. Most drivers do not understand the details of designing and manufacturing an automobile. They do appreciate the qualities of a good design. They understand the compromises that must be made among cost, reliability, performance, efficiency and aesthetics. This book is written for the designers of imaging systems to help them understand concepts that are needed to design and implement imaging systems that are tailored for the varying requirements of diverse technical and consumer worlds. Let us begin with a bird's eye view of the digital imaging process.

Digital imaging: overview

A digital image can be generated in many ways. The most common methods use a digital camera, video recorder or image scanner. However, digital images are also generated by image processing algorithms, by analysis of data that yields two-dimensional discrete functions and by computer graphics and animation. In most cases, the images are to be viewed and analyzed by human beings.