The presently claimed invention relates generally to signal processing, e.g., image and video signal processing. Once claim recites a method including: capturing imagery data with a group of image detectors; obtaining auxiliary data; embedding--with an embedder co-located with the image detectors--the auxiliary data in captured imagery data, where the auxiliary data is embedded in the captured imagery data with reference to at least how the embedded captured imagery data will be compressed; and compressing--with an imagery compressor co-located with the image detectors and the embedder--the embedded, captured imagery data. Of course, other claims are provided as well.