The minimization of perceivable artifacts is a key goal in implementing a lossy compression algorithm. Uncompressed media (such as on Laserdiscs, Audio CDs, and WAV files) or losslessly compressed media (such as FLAC or PNG) do not suffer from compression artifacts. These compression artifacts appear when heavy compression is applied, and occur often in common digital media, such as DVDs, common computer file formats such as JPEG, MP3 and MPEG files, and some alternatives to the compact disc, such as Sony's MiniDisc format. The most common digital compression artifacts are DCT blocks, caused by the discrete cosine transform (DCT) compression algorithm used in many digital media standards, such as JPEG, MP3, and MPEG video file formats. The compression algorithm may not be intelligent enough to discriminate between distortions of little subjective importance and those objectionable to the user. If the compressor cannot store enough data in the compressed version, the result is a loss of quality, or introduction of artifacts. Lossy data compression involves discarding some of the media's data so that it becomes small enough to be stored within the desired disk space or transmitted ( streamed) within the available bandwidth (known as the data rate or bit rate). Original image, with good text edges and color grade Loss of edge clarity and tone 'fuzziness' in heavy JPEG compressionĪ compression artifact (or artefact) is a noticeable distortion of media (including images, audio, and video) caused by the application of lossy compression. For other uses, see mosquito (disambiguation). For the controversial anti-loitering technology, see The Mosquito.

Datamosh video files