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JPEG quantisation table

Definition

A matrix of 64 values embedded in a JPEG file that controls the precision with which each frequency component of the image is encoded. Camera manufacturers and software applications use distinct quantisation table sets; matching a file's tables against a known-camera database is a core technique for identifying the encoding device or application.

Related terms

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format)
A metadata standard embedded in JPEG and TIFF files by capture devices. EXIF fields record camera make and model, lens data, exposure...
File signature (magic bytes)
The fixed byte sequence at the start of a file that identifies its format. JPEG files begin with FF D8 FF; PNG...
PNG chunk
The basic structural unit of a PNG file. Each chunk has a four-character type code, a length field, a data payload, and...
Thumbnail inconsistency
Many cameras embed a reduced-resolution preview image inside the EXIF header of a JPEG. If the main image has been cropped or...
XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform)
An Adobe-defined metadata format stored as an XML packet embedded in image files. XMP carries a software history field (xmpMM:History) that editing...

Explained in

  • Image File Format and Integrity ChecksA matrix of 64 values embedded in a JPEG file that controls the precision with which each frequency component of the image is encoded. Camera manufacturers and...

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