What effect does compression typically have on multimedia files?

Compression is a crucial process used in handling multimedia files, and its primary goal is to reduce file sizes for more efficient storage and transmission. By using various algorithms, compression can minimize the amount of data required to represent the original multimedia content, such as images, audio, or video.

The correct choice acknowledges that while compression often succeeds in significantly decreasing the file size, it may also result in some loss of quality, particularly with lossy compression methods. Lossy compression removes some information that users are less likely to notice, thereby allowing for a smaller file size without significantly compromising the overall experience.

In contrast, options that suggest complete removal of quality or an increase in file size do not align with the fundamental principles of compression, which aims to optimize file sizes while maintaining an acceptable level of quality. Additionally, claiming no effect at all overlooks the very nature of what compression does, which is to alter the file in some manner, either through size reduction or quality adjustments.