Memory & StorageKey Facts
Lossy Compression - Good Enough Quality
Part of Compression — GCSE Computer Science
This key facts covers Lossy Compression - Good Enough Quality within Compression for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Compression in Memory & Storage for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 16 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 11 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 6 of 11
Practice
15 questions
Recall
16 flashcards
Lossy Compression - Good Enough Quality
What is Lossy Compression?
- Reduces file size by PERMANENTLY removing data
- Original cannot be perfectly recreated
- Removes details human senses can't detect (or barely notice)
- Typical reduction: 80-95% smaller (massive savings!)
When to Use Lossy:
- Photos: Vacation pics, social media - slight quality loss unnoticeable
- Music: Streaming, portable devices - most people can't tell difference
- Video: YouTube, Netflix - optimized for human perception
- General rule: Media for human consumption where exact precision isn't critical
Common Lossy Formats:
- JPEG (.jpg): Photos - 90-95% compression, widely supported
- MP3: Music - 90% smaller than WAV, near-CD quality
- MP4, H.264, H.265: Video - streaming, YouTube, Netflix
- AAC: Music - Apple's audio format (iTunes, iPhone)
- WebP: Web images - Google's format (better than JPEG)