I must first thank David Kirk, who invited me to write a series on digital video for Broadcast Systems Engineering, the magazine which he then edited, and Ron Godwyn, who succeeded him. The response to that series provided the impetus to turn it into a book.

Earlier editions of this book owe much to the support of Margaret Riley of Focal Press who is now enjoying well-earned retirement.

The publications of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, the European Broadcasting Union and the Audio Engineering Society have been extremely useful.

I am indebted to the many people who have found time to discuss complex subjects and to suggest reference works. Particular thanks go to David Lyon, Roderick Snell, Tim Borer, Bruce Devlin, Takeo Eguchi, Jim Wilkinson, David Huckfield and John Ive, Steve Owen, Yoshinobu Oba, Mark Schubin, Luigi Gallo, Mikael Reichel, Graham Roe, David Stone, Robin Caine, Dave Trytko, Joe Attard, John Watney, Fraser Morrison, Roger Wood, Tom Cavanagh, Steve Lyman, Kees Schouhamer Immink, Peter de With, Gerard de Haan, Ab Weber, Tom MacMahon, Dave Marsh, John Mallinson and Peter Kraniauskas.

This edition could not have reached the present high standard without the professionalism of Amorette Pedersen of Elsevier Burlington.

John Watkinson

Burghfield Common, England