Map Images Background Information

The Web display of very large digital files is accomplished by using a wavelet compression technology made available to the Library of Congress by LizardTech. The multi-resolution seamless image database (MrSID) software used for the storage and retrieval of large digital images is a result of the research efforts at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In contrast to other compression software that relies on tiling, MrSID obtains its sharp resolution from a single compressed image, and it does not require any special hardware. MrSID allows immediate access to any part of an image, of any size, at any resolution.

The unique feature of MrSID is its ability to decompress only that portion of the image requested by the user. Compression ratio is approximately 22:1 depending on image content and color depth. MrSID is ideal for viewing maps, orthophotos, terrain models, and satellite data.

 Click on Express View Logo below to install Windows Based Viewer

If you have any problems downloading or using MrSID®  Viewer, go to the LizardTech website for more information.

The Medical University of South Carolina will not be able to provide any technical assistance concerning MrSID® Viewer.