Formats

Data Lakehouse Architecture: A Practical Guide Data lakehouse architecture blends the flexibility of data lakes with the reliability of data warehouses. It stores raw data in a scalable lake, then adds ACID transactions, schema management, and fast SQL queries on top. This setup helps teams break data silos, accelerate analytics, and support machine learning workflows. To use a lakehouse well, plan for data contracts, metadata, and clear data products that your users can trust. The result is a platform where analysts, data scientists, and apps share a common view of the data. ...

Audio and Video Encoding: Formats, Codecs, and Quality Video and audio encoding compress large media into smaller files for storage and delivery. A format, or container, holds the streams and metadata. A codec is the method used to compress the data inside each stream. Together they determine how a file behaves on devices and in browsers. Common containers include MP4, MKV, and WebM. Video codecs include H.264 (AVC), HEVC (H.265), VP9, and AV1. Audio codecs include AAC, MP3, Opus, and FLAC. Each choice affects file size, decoding load, and compatibility. For many projects, you balance reach and efficiency to fit your audience. ...

Data Visualization: Turning Data into Insights Data visualization helps turn numbers into understanding. A well crafted chart reveals trends, comparisons, and outliers at a glance. This guide shows a practical approach to turning raw data into visuals that inform decisions. You’ll find simple rules, concrete chart choices, and quick checks you can apply when you build dashboards or reports for colleagues, managers, or clients. Begin with the question and audience. What decision should your reader make? What level of detail is useful? A clear objective keeps visuals focused and avoids clutter. Start by writing one sentence that sums up the insight you want to deliver. ...

Video and Audio Coding Standards Media coding standards decide how video and audio data are compressed, packaged, and presented. They influence file size, quality, latency, and how widely content can be played. For creators, engineers, and publishers, knowing the basics helps you reach more viewers with reliable sound and smooth images. Video coding standards Common video codecs today are H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VP9, and AV1. H.264 is still very widely supported and performs well on many devices. HEVC and AV1 offer stronger compression, which means the same quality at lower bitrates, important for high resolutions and fast internet. Licensing matters: HEVC and some VP9 profiles require patent licensing, while AV1 is designed to be royalty-free. Hardware decoding follows demand: most phones and laptops handle H.264 well; AV1 is becoming standard on newer devices, and HEVC is common on 4K sets. Profiles and levels guide what resolution and bitrate are allowed; for web and mobile, baseline to main profiles often suffice, while high profiles fit advanced content. Containers such as MP4 and MKV wrap video with audio and subtitles; WebM is a web-focused option, typically paired with VP9 or AV1 for online playback. ...

Digital Audio: Encoding, Rights, and Delivery Digital audio flows from how sound is captured to how it plays on devices. Making smart choices about encoding, rights, and delivery helps creators keep high sound quality while staying within licenses and platform rules. This guide explains the basics in plain terms and with practical tips. Encoding: quality and compatibility Encoding turns sound into a file that travels online. Key decisions include: Sample rate and bit depth: 44.1 kHz/16-bit is common for distribution; 48 kHz is standard for video; 24-bit masters preserve more detail for archiving. Lossy vs lossless: lossy formats save space but reduce some detail; lossless formats preserve every bit of the original. Codecs and containers: MP3 and AAC are widely supported; Opus and Vorbis offer high efficiency for streaming; FLAC and WAV are common for lossless. Containers like MP4 or WAV carry audio in different ways. Practical tip: for broad reach, offer a mainstream lossy option (AAC at 192–256 kbps) plus a lossless backup for fans who value quality. Rights and licensing Rights determine who may use and distribute a work. Typical areas include: ...

Video Streaming: From Encoding to Delivery Video streaming is more than sending a file. It blends encoding, packaging, and delivery to let viewers watch with good quality on phones, tablets, and desktops. The goal is to balance image quality, file size, and broad compatibility. Encoding choices Codecs: H.264/AVC remains widely supported, HEVC/H.265 offers better compression on newer devices, and AV1 is a growing, royalty‑free option. Containers: MP4 with fragmented MP4 (fMP4) is common for streaming; other formats exist but fMP4 keeps broad compatibility. Bitrate ladders: prepare several versions (for example, 240p, 480p, 720p, 1080p) so players can switch quality as network conditions change. This setup helps a single video reach many viewers without unnecessary buffering. The encoding step also affects CPU usage and energy use, so choose presets that fit your production and delivery goals. ...