What are artifacts in digital video?

Artifacts in digital video are visual inconsistencies that can arise during the compression process of video files. When video data is compressed to reduce file size, some of the original information may be lost or altered, leading to noticeable anomalies such as blurriness, blocking, or banding. These artifacts can detract from the quality of the video and make the viewing experience less pleasant.

Compression works by eliminating redundant or less critical data. While this helps in reducing the size for storage or transmission, it can also introduce these inconsistencies, especially if the compression is too aggressive or not implemented properly. Understanding artifacts is essential for those in TV or video production to maintain video quality and select appropriate compression methods that balance size and clarity.

The other options focus on aspects of video production that do not relate directly to artifacts. High-quality video techniques, software types, and color grading methods improve video production but do not directly describe the phenomenon of artifacts caused by compression.