Apple switched to High-Efficiency Image Container (HEIC) information because the default format for storing photographs throughout its cell gadgets in 2017. Compared to the JPEG format, HEIC takes about half the space for storing when saving photos that protect an identical high quality.
Just like Google developed the WebP format for the net, Apple shifted to a superior and extra fashionable file format to retailer photographs on its gadgets. The HEIC format has different benefits, corresponding to colour depth which matches as much as 16-bit in comparison with JPEG’s 8-bit, and a wider dynamic vary of brightness.
Out of the field, Windows doesn’t help .HEIC information, so you’ll be able to’t open photographs transferred straight out of your iPhone or iPad gadgets. But the answer is straightforward. Read on…
Microsoft’s Windows Extension
If you’ve got Windows 10 or Windows 11, the answer could also be easy: HEIC relies on the High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) format and saved within the High-Efficiency Image File (HEIF) container format.
The HEIF Image Extensions codec for Windows is obtainable totally free on the Windows Store. The solely drawback is, it depends on the HEVC Video Extensions codec, which used to have a free model (that you could be have already got), however now can solely be purchased for $1.
Use a Third Party Extension or App (free)
If you do not need to pay, or are working an older model of Windows, CopyTrans HEIC is a superb free various. Like the Microsoft extension, it can let you view HEIC information in Windows Explorer and Photos. It will even allow you to convert information to JPEG rapidly by right-clicking on them.
If you like to make use of a program, nice choices embrace XnView and XnView MP. Both are extremely really useful picture viewers which are quick and allow you to convert and edit photographs on the fly.
The former is the “traditional” model that has extra options. It would require the HEIF plugin to govern HEIC information. XnView MP is the extra fashionable launch, helps HEIC out of the field, and it is cross-platform. Both apps provide moveable variations.
If you right-click on a file, you’ll convert it rapidly to JPEG, and different picture file codecs, however for those who click on the file after which the “Convert” button, you will get many extra choices.
Under the “Transformations” tab, you’ll add watermarks, filters and extra. To save the picture, click on “Go”.
Originally, it was the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) that developed the HEVC and HEIF applied sciences, which is derived from the HEVC/H.265 video format. Since Apple launched iOS 11 and adopted HEIF, {many professional} cameras have additionally moved to help the format.
According to assessments, the distinction between JPEG and HEIF isn’t restricted to compression ranges and picture high quality, however HEIF photos will be encoded and decoded quicker than JPEGs, with a smaller influence on processing energy and battery life on cell gadgets.
