What DNG consists of (please correct me if I'm wrong)
What DNG consists of (please correct me if I'm wrong)
- Subject: What DNG consists of (please correct me if I'm wrong)
- From: Nov06 <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:59:51 +0200
In a message dated 7/15/07 4:14 PM, Nov06 wrote:
What I don't get is why an an application that today can read Nikon
D1 raw files wrapped in a DNG file would not be able to read the
original raw files themselves. Or for that matter an application in
ten, twenty years from now.
1) DNG combines the original raw data, IPTC data and jpeg previews
into one file and compresses the data somewhat.
2) DNG might reformat the raw data to present them in a standardized
way.
3) DNG provides decoding information (in my view some kind of camera
profiling) that some raw decoders use and others not (either because
their algorithm cannot make use of that information or they prefer to
do the camera 'profiling' themselves)
4) DNG can store rendering instructions
If everything moved to a DNG-only workflow, from the camera to the
raw decoder, what would be gained:
- A standardized process for (1) would be used that results in one
single file (not that using a zip file could not achieve the same).
Standards are good for longevity and interoperability. The might
however prevent innovation (ie, new raw compression techniques, see
Nikon's compressed raw).
- Point (2) might be important or largely irrelevant. So far nothing
I have seen suggests it has any importance but that might change, I
am waiting for evidence.
- Point (3) could be very useful but might also lead raw decoder
developers to fully rely on Adobe's camera 'profiling' and might
hamper innovation by forcing raw decoder developers to use algorithms
that can make use of Adobe's decoding information
- Point (4) makes non-Adobe raw decoders second-class citizens in
respect to the DNG format and forces them to develop their own
standards to store the rendering instructions
Summarizing, DNG has potentially important advantages for data
accessibility in the long run, point (2) and (3). I am however hard
pressed to believe that the decoding information stored in a DNG
could not be stored in a small database inside future versions of PS,
ACR or Lightroom for quite some time.
It on the other hand enforces Adobe's position in regard to raw
decoding algorithms, point (3), and also creates a situation in which
only Adobe apps can fully utilize DNG's full potential, point (4).
Markus
(P.S.: I would appreciate it if before commenting on this, you could
state whether you see any factual errors in my description.)
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