VISUAL MEDIA FILE TYPES JPG/JPEG: (Joint photographic expert group) The JPEG is one of the most common raster file formats. It s a format often used by digital cameras as it was designed primarily for electronic use. Degree of compression can be adjusted. Low storage required but high image quality. Photos do not need editing before printing. Some data is discarded when the file is compressed. 8 bit colour system good for viewing photos but you can loss quality once you begin editing. Artefacts (similar to smudges/blips) can appear with compression.
PNG (portable network graphics): The PNG was a file format designed specifically for web graphics as an improved non-patented replacement for the GIF. It supports lossless compression as not to degrade when edited as with JPEGs. Completely lossless. Higher compression rates PNG uses better image compression technology than GIF, allowing for smaller files that download more quickly Higher bit depths (more colours) and smoother rendering. Multiple layers of transparency, which makes moving images from one background to another easy Built-in gamma correction Users can see an image the way it was intended to be seen. Supports only still images and no animations. Cannot contain multiple images More complex files can be large in size
BMP (Bitmap image file): In computing a bitmap is quite literally the mapping of bits, or small pieces of information in its simplest form: zeros and ones. A bitmap image generally refers to the array of pixels in any image. Realistic and true representation of the image. Universal application across different operating system and software. Particularly for photos and scans. Doesn t resize well, getting blurry when scaled up. File sizes tend to be very large. This means files take up lots of storage space and can take time to load up. Compressing BMP results in artefacts.
PDF (Portable document format): A format for a computer document file that enables a document to be processed and printed on any computer using any printer or word-processing program. Quick and easy to create Low file size and perfect for emailing Universal application across operating systems and software. Securable: PDF s can be locked and made in editable. Accurately stores all content for ease of viewing. Difficult to edit. Don t always fully integrate into web pages as plug ins are required. Not great for images alone.
AI (Adobe Illustrator): Adobe Illustrator Artwork (AI) is a proprietary file format developed by Adobe Systems for representing single-page vector-based drawings in either the EPS or PDF formats. Adobe Illustrator is the most common vector art editing program in use today. Wider compatibility for a native vector format, most advanced vector format available Newer versions may have compatibility issues, not a standard file format.
EPS (Encapsulated post-script): Technically EPS files aren t pure vector graphics. As a PostScript file, they can contain vector and raster images and even both in the same file (much like SVG). PostScripts are specifically designed to handle vector graphics for output (printing, etc.) because of the ability to do on the fly rasterization (converting lines to pixels). Compatibility for vector graphics, ideal for printing/output May lose control of advanced vector editing features.
WMV (Windows Movie File): A WMV is a video file in the "Windows Media Video" (WMV) format. It is one of the most commonly used and oldest formats available for digital video. Widely compatible. Create relatively small files. Preserve quality better than many other compressed video formats. Size allows ease of use on websites. Not compatible on non windows operating sytems.
AVI (Audio Video interface): AVI stands for Audio Video Interleaved. AVI is a video and audio file format used to store audio and/or video information digitally for playback purposes. AVI format enjoys built-in support in all the Microsoft s Windows platform. AVI file format has exceptionally high quality audio fidelity. AVI file format is developed by windows, which makes it playable with all the major Microsoft and non-microsoft operating systems. Playable DVDs and disks can be created by using AVI file format in order to store initial audio/video information. If AVI files are compressed using some codecs then in order to retrieve and play the file it requires the same codec to be installed on the machine. AVI files if uncompressed can be very large in size as compared to the other file formats. AVI files if compressed beyond certain limits result in the loss of video quality.
3GP (Third generation partnership): The.3GP file extension is the mobile phone video file format and is the new standard for delivering rich multimedia over 3rd generation mobile networks. Typically, mobile phones that are equipped with a recording facility use the.3gp file extension as the standard file format for recording video clips. Fast downloading and transfer of video clips. Small file size. Cannot be played without 3GP codecs.
MOV (Moving Picture elements): The MOV format is a multimedia file type that works with Apple Inc.'s QuickTime player. At one time, it was the only format for audio visual file types. Can be dissected easily without having to change the original code. Audio and video are stored on separate tracks. Small file size with excellent quality. More complex videos can be large in file size.
MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group): The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) is a working group of authorities that was formed by ISO and IEC to set standards for audio and video compression and transmission.