Tech Shout!

Microsoft has announced that the Joint Photographic Expert Group (JPEG) is considering the standardization of the company’s HD Photo file format.

HD Photo which is tentatively known as JPEG XR, was first introduced with the release of Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system.

In fact, HD Photo which is a relatively new format, was once known as Windows Media Photo. This format is used mainly for digital photography as it offers better image fidelity, high image compression efficiency and more flexible editing features.

What’s more; the HD Photo format also supports both lossy and lossless compression. In fact, Microsoft claims that its HD Photo offers images comparable to JPEG-2000 with less performance and memory drain. The company also claims that it can deliver better quality images than JPEG at less than half the file size.

“We are voting on consideration of this new file format for standardization because we believe it will foster breakthrough, innovative products and services in the photography and printing industries that will have widespread value for consumers around the world,” saidDr. Daniel Lee, convener of the Joint Photographic Expert Group.

Tom Robertson, general manager of Interoperability and Standards at Microsoft said, “Microsoft is very pleased that the JPEG working group is considering HD Photo as a new standard, and we are committed to working cooperatively with JPEG and its affiliated standards organizations to ensure that this file format serves the needs of the next generation of consumer and professional photographers,” said Tom Robertson, general manager of Interoperability and Standards at Microsoft.”

“This is an excellent example of Microsoft’s multibillion-dollar annual investment in R&D, producing a technology that represents a big step forward in multimedia innovation and tangible benefits for consumers,” Robertson added.

The ballot deadline for the new project that is considering JPEG XR is October 2007. However, finalizing and publishing the completed standard may actually take up to a year after that.