Typical image compression algorithms produce data streams which require a v
ery reliable communication - they are not designed for transmission in an e
nvironment in which data may be lost or delayed, as provided by current and
next-generation wireless communication networks. Compression and transmiss
ion provisions that avoid catastrophic failure caused by lost, delayed, or
errant packets are therefore imperative in order to provide reliable visual
communication over such systems. This robustness is obtained by modifying
the source coding and/or adding channel coding. This article presents an ov
erview of both lossy and lossless source coding techniques and combined sou
rce/channel techniques providing robustness, presenting examples of success
ful techniques.