(a) A company needs to email a large video file to a client. Explain why compression is important in this situation. [2] (b) State whether lossy or lossless...

(a) Explain why compression is important for emailing a large video file. [2]

Large video files can easily exceed email attachment size limits (typically 10-25 MB). Compression reduces the file size so that it is more likely to fit within these limits. [1] Even when the file can be sent, a smaller compressed file uploads faster for the sender and downloads faster for the recipient, saving time and reducing bandwidth usage. [1]

(b) State the appropriate compression type for each scenario. [6]

(i) Music file for mobile streaming: Lossy compression. [1] Mobile networks have limited bandwidth, so small file sizes are essential for smooth streaming. The slight reduction in audio quality from lossy compression (e.g. MP3 or AAC format) is generally imperceptible during casual listening, making the trade-off worthwhile. [1]

(ii) Medical X-ray image for archiving: Lossless compression. [1] Medical images must preserve every detail because even a tiny loss of data could mean a subtle fracture, tumour, or abnormality is missed, potentially affecting patient diagnosis and treatment. No quality loss is acceptable. [1]

(iii) Software installation package: Lossless compression. [1] Software code must be reproduced exactly, bit for bit, when decompressed. Even a single bit changed by lossy compression could corrupt program instructions, causing the software to crash, behave unexpectedly, or fail to install. [1]