Introduction

This document is aimed at the users of the Dirac codec library version 0.10.x and developers who wish to understand the core Dirac processes. The layout of this guide is as follows

Chapter 2, Overview of the Codec, gives a brief overview of the Dirac coder. Little details are given of the underlying algorithms used in the Dirac codec and the reader is advised to look at the Dirac algorithm for further information.

Chapters 3 thru 6 are aimed at the user of the Dirac Codec Library .e.g users who wish to include Dirac encode/decode functionality in Media Players, video processing tools, etc.

Chapter 3, Software Environment, describes how to download Dirac software and build the Dirac codec libraries.

Chapter 4, Input Formats, describes the uncompressed input formats that the Dirac Codec library supports and the utilities available to convert from other formats to that required by the codec library.

Chapter 5, Encoder API, describes the public API to the Dirac Encoder in detail. It also includes a simple working example as to how to use the Encoder API.

Chapter 6, Decoder API, describes the public API to the Dirac Decoder in detail. It also includes a simple working example as to how to use the Decoder API.

Chapters 7, and 8 are aimed at Developers who wish to understand the implementation of the Dirac codec. They outline how the encoding and decoding processes are implemented in the code. The Dirac video codec (video coder and decoder pair) core has been written and developed in ISO standard C++ in order for cross-platform compatibility. C++ encourages a modular, object-orientated design which is mirrored by the codec structure.

Chapter 7, Encoder Classes, discusses the classes used by the Encoding Engine.

Chapter 8, Decoder Classes, discusses the classes used by the Decoding Engine.

It is beyond the scope of this document to fully describe the algorithms used in the Dirac codec. Details of the underlying algorithms used can be found in the Dirac algorithm. Further educational material and tutorials on signal processing and data compression can be found at:

Digital signal processing guru
www.dspguru.com

The scientist and engineer's guide to digital signal processing
www.dspguide.com

University of Birmingham Dept. of electronics, electrical and computer engineering: data compression
www.eee.bham.ac.uk/woolleysi/links/datacomp.htm

ACM Siggraph education
www.siggraph.org/education