There are few file formats ubiquitous as JPEG (ASCII text comes to mind). It's almost universally compatible, available in every image handling application you could possibly want to use and, it works swimmingly well. Who could possibly want to change all that? Microsoft, that's who. Last year Microsoft began promoting its Windows Media Photo format, recently renamed HD Photo (ostensibly to gain a little street cred from public familiarity with HDTV), as a "better" alternative to the standard JPEG. According to Microsoft's specification literature, HD Photo gives twice the quality compared to JPEG at similar file sizes. Vista includes built-in support for HD Photo and, Microsoft has been actively promoting HD Photo to camera manufacturers as a superior alternative to the aging JPEG specification.
Sounds great, where's the catch? Licensing. Patents surrounding JPEG have expired, meaning if you want to include JPEG support in your application, and be universally compatible with other applications supporting JPEG, you don't have to pay fees to any company or individual. HD Photo is a published standard, but it's owned by Microsoft lock, stock, and barrel.
Update : HD Photo is licensed under the Open Specification Promise, under which Microsoft vows not to enforce its patent rights as long as developers conform to the specification. Thanks to Bob for straightening me out!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-30-2007 @ 8:15PM
MySchizoBuddy said...
Windows Media Photo versus Jpeg 2000, comparison
http://www.compression.ru/video/codec_comparison/wmp_codecs_comparison_en.html
PS: thats not my site.
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1-30-2007 @ 9:34PM
pittmanken said...
As it shares all the problems of TIFF, I rather see JPEG 2000 or PNG get upgraded and used instead.
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1-30-2007 @ 11:34PM
Caleb said...
even if microsoft did require companies to pay to use HD Photo specifications, isnt that exactly what apple does? companies have to pay to get information about what's under the hood of macs. please let me know if this belief is outdated or never existed (and only someone who knows would be best, no guesses).
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1-31-2007 @ 12:51AM
Bob said...
Last time I checked HD Photo was covered by OSP and not subject to any license fee. Might want to check your facts.
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1-31-2007 @ 12:54AM
Bob said...
#4, sorry I meant to get rid of the comment. Thanks Grant for the update, you *did* check the facts :-)
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1-31-2007 @ 2:35AM
Xenia said...
I don't think HD Photo will fly. MS also pushes XPS as a superior document format to PDF. Those "old" formats are just too common and spread everywhere. I would rather welcome enhancements of the known formats that just adding new ones.
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