Conversion Formats
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Browse hundreds of file formats, compare details, and discover compatible conversions in seconds. Whether you’re working with documents, images, audio, video, or archives, FileChemist makes it simple and fast to find what you need.
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File Formats
298 formats shown
Amiga 8SVX
Audio
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Write
8-Bit Sampled Voice (8SVX) is an audio file format standard developed by Electronic Arts for the Commodore-Amiga computer series. It is a data subtype of the IFF file container format. It typically contains linear pulse-code modulation (LPCM) digital audio. The 8SVX subtype stores 8-bit audio data within chunks contained within an IFF file container. 8SVX subtypes can exist alone within IFF file containers (audio only), or can be multiplexed together with other IFF subtypes, such as video animation streams.
Advanced Audio Coding
Audio
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This format was originally created as an alternative to mp3. The idea was to achieve a small file size with better sound quality. The first versions weren’t quite successful, but with the development of AAC, it became possible to store sound with less loss of quality, and with the same file sizes as that of mp3.
AC3 Audio File
Audio
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Dolby Digital film format, developed for encoding audio tracks for films. It supports up to 6 audio channels: left, right, front, rear, upper and lower. Because of this, it allows you to store “3-dimensional” audio tracks. It’s widely used both in movie theaters and by the users themselves for storing audio tracks in film libraries at home.
Audio Interchange File Format
Audio
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Is a standard for storing audio files in Apple operating systems. It was developed in 1988 based on the IFF format and is a lossless format – audio data is stored in an uncompressed form. In essence, AIFF is an analog to WAV for the Apple Macintosh platform.
Ambisonic B-Format
Audio
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Files containing the AMB extension are known as AIMMS Model Files as they refer to the models that the AIMMS (Advanced Integrated Multidimensional Modeling Software) created. The AMB file extension was developed by Paragon Decision Technology and the files with this extension are categorized as data files. The data that these AMB files contain are procedures, identifier declarations as well as core model functions. These files are also based on AIMMS modeling proprietary language wherein these files are saved with the AIMMS project (.PRJ) file it is associated with.
Adaptive Multi Rate
Audio
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This format was originally intended for voice compression and is able to change the bit rates of encoded audio data. AMR is actively used for encoding and decoding voice while its being transmitted over network channels. The format allows one to consider network capacity and adapt it to channel loads. Due to this, the voice quality is practically undiminished.
Monkey's Audio
Audio
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No Write
This is a proprietary format (with a paid license) developed by Matthew T. Ashland. Sound is stored without any loss, but the format isn’t too common because of license restrictions and because the official codecs works only on the Windows platform.
Sun Microsystems AU files
Audio
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AU is a file extension for a sound file format belonging to Sun, NeXT and DEC and used in UNIX. The AU file format is also known as the Sparc-audio or u-law fomat. AU files contain three parts: the audio data and text for a header (containing 24 bytes) and an annotation block.
Audio Visual Research format
Audio
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The AVR file extension is a data format known as Audio Visual Research File. AVR files were developed for use on Apple Macintosh computers. They were specifically, used for the older 680×0-based Atari ST computer systems.
Core Audio Format
Audio
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An audio format from Apple that was developed to remove the limitations of AIFF and WAV formats. This is a container that can store sound encoded by various algorithms and track metadata. Its characteristic feature – the format doesn’t have limitations on file size and so this allows one to store infinitely long recordings.
Compact Disc Digital Audio (raw audio)
Audio
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A file with the CDDA file extension is a CD Digital Audio file that stores audio in the AIFF format. CDDA files are normally seen only when audio files have been ripped from an audio CD that uses the CD Digital Audio specification. This is most often done through the Apple iTunes program with the Audio CD burn option.
Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation
Audio
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Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation is a voice coding method. It is a delta modulation with variable step size (adaptive delta modulation), first proposed by Greefkes and Riemens in 1970
Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation
Audio
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Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation is a voice coding method. It is a delta modulation with variable step size (adaptive delta modulation), first proposed by Greefkes and Riemens in 1970
Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation (unfiltered)
Audio
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CVU file is a CVSD Unfiltered Audio. Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation (unfiltered) is an alternative handler for CVSD that is unfiltered but can be used with any bit-rate.
Digital Speech Standard File
Audio
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No Write
Digital Speech Standard (DSS) is a proprietary compressed digital audio file format defined by the International Voice Association, a co-operative venture by Olympus, Philips and Grundig. DSS was originally developed in 1994 by Grundig with the University of Nuremberg. In 1997, the digital speech standard was released, which was based on the previous codec. It is commonly used on digital dictation recorders. Modern phycoacoustical codecs that perform nearly as well at only slightly higher bitrates have led to this speech coding standard being less used in modern voice recording equipment.
Digital Theater Systems
Audio
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Is a recording format, designed for use in movie theaters. Who is a direct competitor of Dolby Digital. It is used to accompany the film with the movie, as well as on optical video discs. It supports two modes of audio: 5.1 and 7.1, allows full bit rate in high end home theaters.
DVMS
Audio
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Used in Germany to compress speech audio for voice mail. A self-describing variant of cvsd (Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation).
PARIS Audio File
Audio
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Ensoniq PARIS file format (little-endian)
Free Lossless Audio Codec
Audio
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This is open lossless codecs, developed under the Ogg project. Lately it’s become quite popular: many users wishing to store audio with original quality choose FLAC. This is partly in connection with the fact that codecs uses IDv1 and IDv3 tags – this allows a user to sort an audio collection according to one’s particular tastes, changing the original metadata of the tracks.
FSSD – 8-bit unsigned integer PCM RAW Audio
Audio
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Write
An alias for the .u8 format
GSM 06.10 Lossy Speech Compression
Audio
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Write
GSM 06.10 Lossy Speech Compression. A lossy format for compressing speech which is used in the Global Standard for Mobile telecommunications (GSM). It’s good for its purpose, shrinking audio data size, but it will introduce lots of noise when a given audio signal is encoded and decoded multiple times. This format is used by some voice mail applications. It is rather CPU intensive.
Grandstream ring-tone files
Audio
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Grandstream ring-tone files. Whilst this file format can contain A-Law, μ-law, GSM, G.722, G.723, G.726, G.728, or iLBC encoded audio, SoX supports reading and writing only A-Law and μ-law.
Macintosh HCOM files
Audio
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Macintosh HCOM files. These are Mac FSSD files with Huffman compression.
HTK
Audio
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Single channel 16-bit PCM format used by HTK, a toolkit for building Hidden Markov Model speech processing tools
A headerless file of IMA ADPCM audio data
Audio
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A headerless file of IMA ADPCM audio data. IMA ADPCM claims 16-bit precision packed into only 4 bits, but in fact sounds no better than .vox.
IRCAM SDIF
Audio
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IRCAM SDIF (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique Sound Description Interchange Format). Used by academic music software such as the CSound package, and the MixView sound sample editor.
Compressed Audio File
Audio
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This is a lossless-format (and encoding algorithm) for Apple platforms. M4A is widely used in iPod players and as a component in QuickTime media-players. The m4a codecs decoder is found in open sources – this allows third party users to open files in that format.
MPEG 4 Ringtones Audio
Audio
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M4R – is a digital multimedia container format used to store audio in mono channel mode. This format is suitable for store ringtones and it is widely used by Apple iPhone for its ringtones. Needless to say that M4R and M4A formats shares many similar features.
MAUD
Audio
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The maud file extension is associated with the Amiga MAUD audio format, developed by Electronic Arts and Commodore in 1985. The MAUD is used for an 8 or 16 bit Amiga sound format. Most likely obsolete.
MPEG-1/2 Audio Layer 2
Audio
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MP2 is a lossy audio compression format developed by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group). It is widely used for audio broadcasting, while MP3 is more common for desktop and online programs. The format is supported only by some audio players, so you may need to convert it to a more popular one like MP3.
MP3 Audio Format
Audio
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Is the most common format for storing audio. Almost any player on any platform can open mp3 files. The audio is compressed with loss of quality, but the loss is negligible for the typical user, and the file size is usually less than that of the original files.
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Audio
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SPHERE (SPeech HEader Resources) is a file format defined by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and is used with speech audio. SoX can read these files when they contain μ-law and PCM data. It will ignore any header information that says the data is compressed using shorten compression and will treat the data as either μ-law or PCM. This will allow SoX and the command line shorten program to be run together using pipes to encompasses the data and then pass the result to SoX for processing.
OGG Vorbis Audio
Audio
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Write
OGA is an audio extension for OGG file and it was developed by Xiph.Org Foundation. OGG is an open container format designed for streaming and may contain independent video, text and audio files. To open OGA, you need either to install an appropriate software like Vorbis, or to convert the file to a more common format.
Ogg Vorbis Compressed Audio File
Audio
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This format is free, which apparently is one of the reasons for its popularity. The used codecs supports variable bit rates (as a default), and .ogg files usually play back easily on all platforms. All things being equal, the sound quality exceeds that of mp3 somewhat.
Opus (audio format)
Audio
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Opus is a lossy audio coding format developed by the Xiph.Org Foundation and standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force, designed to efficiently code speech and general audio in a single format, while remaining low-latency enough for real-time interactive communication and low-complexity enough for low-end ARM3 processors. Opus replaces both Vorbis and Speex for new applications, and several blind listening tests have ranked it higher-quality than any other standard audio format at any given bitrate until transparency is reached, including MP3, AAC, and HE-AAC.
PARIS Audio File
Audio
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Ensoniq PARIS file format (big-endian)
Psion Record
Audio
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PRC (Product Representation Compact) is a 3D file format that can be used to embed 3D data in a PDF file. This highly compressed format facilitates the storage of different representations of a 3D model. For example, you can save only a visual representation that consists of polygons (a tessellation), or you can save the model's exact geometry (B-rep data). Varying levels of compression can be applied to the 3D CAD data when it is converted to the PRC format using Adobe Acrobat 3D.
Portable Voice Format
Audio
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PVF is a special low-bandwidth ADPCM-based digital audio format for recording and storing human speech. A .pvf file contains digitally recorded speech in the PVF format. Such .pvf files were mainly used with legacy voice modems and software-based answering machines. Often, to be used with a specific modem, a .pvf file would have to be converted into the device-specific RMD format. Currently, PVF audio files can still be played with several major media players as well as converted into other formats (like WAV) with multi-format converter tools.
Real Audio
Audio
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RA is an audio format developed by RealNetworks to use in its RealPlayer for streaming audio which means that it can be played while downloading. It uses several audio codecs, they range from the ones for delivering high-fidelity sound to those for recording low bitrate audio data. Although, the format was pretty popular and was used by many radio station to stream online, now it is technically inferior to other newer formats.
Sound Designer 2 format
Audio
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SDII (Sound Designer II, sometimes seen abbreviated as SD2) is a monophonic/stereophonic audio file format, originally developed by Digidesign for their Macintosh -based recording/editing products. It is the successor to the original monophonic Sound Designer I audio file format.
Shorten
Audio
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No Write
Shorten (SHN) is a file format used for compressing audio data. It is a form of data compression of files and is used to losslessly compress CD-quality audio files (44.1 kHz 16-bit stereo PCM). Shorten is no longer developed and other lossless audio codecs such as FLAC, Monkey's Audio(APE), TTA, and WavPack (WV) have become more popular. However, Shorten is still in use by some people because there are legally traded concert recordings in circulation that are encoded as Shorten files. Shorten files use the .shn file extension.
Asterisk PBX `signed linear’
Audio
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Asterisk PBX ‘signed linear’ 8khz, 16-bit signed integer, little-endian raw format.
Turtle Beach SampleVision files
Audio
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Turtle Beach SampleVision files. SMP files are for use with the PC-DOS package SampleVision by Turtle Beach Softworks. This package is for communication to several MIDI samplers. All sample rates are supported by the package, although not all are supported by the samplers themselves. Currently loop points are ignored.
MS-DOS early ’90s .SND files
Audio
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SND is a file extension for a sound file used with a variety of platforms. SND stands for SouND. SND files may contain audio data specific to a Macintosh sound resource (from Mac OS Classic), an AKAI MPC audio sample, a generic Amiga sound, or other audio file. SND files can often be opened by Apple’s Quicktime Player
MS-DOS early ’90s .SND(RT) files
Audio
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SND is a file extension for a sound file used with a variety of platforms. SND stands for SouND. SND files may contain audio data specific to a Macintosh sound resource (from Mac OS Classic), an AKAI MPC audio sample, a generic Amiga sound, or other audio file. SND files can often be opened by Apple’s Quicktime Player
MS-DOS early ’90s .SND(RT) files
Audio
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SND is a file extension for a sound file used with a variety of platforms. SND stands for SouND. SND files may contain audio data specific to a Macintosh sound resource (from Mac OS Classic), an AKAI MPC audio sample, a generic Amiga sound, or other audio file. SND files can often be opened by Apple’s Quicktime Player
SOU – 8-bit unsigned integer PCM RAW Audio
Audio
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An alias for the .u8 format
SPeech HEader Resources
Audio
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Write
SPHERE (SPeech HEader Resources) is a file format defined by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and is used with speech audio. SoX can read these files when they contain μ-law and PCM data. It will ignore any header information that says the data is compressed using shorten compression and will treat the data as either μ-law or PCM. This will allow SoX and the command line shorten program to be run together using pipes to encompasses the data and then pass the result to SoX for processing.
Speex
Audio
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An SPX file is a Speex audio file saved within an Ogg Vorbis container. Speex is an open source patent-free audio format designed for speech compression. It supports variable bitrate (VBR) encoding and several features not found in other audio codecs. Some examples include embedded encoding, intensity stereo encoding, and voice activity detection.
Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor
Audio
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No Write
TAK (Tom's lossless Audio Kompressor), formerly known as YALAC (Yet Another Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless audio codec developed by Thomas Becker.
True Audio
Audio
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Write
TTA is a simple and stable lossless audio data format for real-time compressing of digital music. Free and fully-functional for any use. It has a very simple structure. The TTA file header contains a unique format identifier, which is followed by meta-data block. Meta-data block contains minimal information which is needed for restoring the original stream (including number of channels, count of bits per sample, sample rate and overall number of samples in file, etc.) and ended by a 32-bit control sum. Following that header, we write one or more audio frames. Each frame is ended by a 32-bit control sum; a decoder may start decoding from any frame in the stream. The compressed samples of channels in a frame are located sequentially, as in a simple PCM data format.
Yamaha TX-16W sampler
Audio
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Yamaha TX-16W sampler. A file format from a Yamaha sampling keyboard which wrote IBM-PC format 3.5' floppies. Handles reading of files which do not have the sample rate field set to one of the expected by looking at some other bytes in the attack/loop length fields, and defaulting to 33 kHz if the sample rate is still unknown.
VMS
Audio
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Used in Germany to compress speech audio for voice mail. A self-describing variant of cvsd (Continuously Variable Slope Delta modulation).
Sound Blaster VOC files
Audio
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Sound Blaster VOC files. VOC files are multi-part and contain silence parts, looping, and different sample rates for different chunks. On input, the silence parts are filled out, loops are rejected, and sample data with a new sample rate is rejected. Silence with a different sample rate is generated appropriately. On output, silence is not detected, nor are impossible sample rates. SoX supports reading (but not writing) VOC files with multiple blocks, and files containing μ-law, A-law, and 2/3/4-bit ADPCM samples.
A headerless file of Dialogic/OKI ADPCM audio data
Audio
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Write
A headerless file of Dialogic/OKI ADPCM audio data commonly comes with the extension .vox. This ADPCM data has 12-bit precision packed into only 4-bits.
TwinVQ
Audio
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No Write
Audio format developed by the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NNT Labs); uses transform-domain weighted interleaved vector quantization to compress audio data; can be encoded in 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, and 192 kbps bitrates.
Sonic Foundry’s 64-bit RIFF/WAV format
Audio
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Sonic Foundry’s 64-bit RIFF/WAV format.
Waveform Audio File Format
Audio
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One of the most common audio formats. The format was developed by Microsoft (in collaboration with IBM) and usually stores uncompressed audio data with pulse-code modulation, but it can be used to store sound processed with other audio codecs.
Windows Media Audio
Audio
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This is a proprietary format developed by Microsoft. Users have noticed low error resilience: sometimes insignificant damage to the file can cause the file not to play. Besides this, the closed format hampers its proliferation outside of Windows platforms.
WavPack lossless audio compression
Audio
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Write
WavPack lossless audio compression. Note that, when converting .wav to this format and back again, the RIFF header is not necessarily preserved losslessly (though the audio is).
Psion 8-bit A-law
Audio
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Write
Psion 8-bit A-law. Used on Psion SIBO PDAs (Series 3 and similar). This format is deprecated in SoX, but will continue to be used in libsndfile.
Maxis XA files
Audio
Read
No Write
Maxis XA files. These are 16-bit ADPCM audio files used by Maxis games. Writing .xa files is currently not supported, although adding write support should not be very difficult.
Autocad Drawing Exchange
Cad
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Write
This format is used for exchanging graphics data between SAPR programs. It was initially created for AutoCAD in 1982. It contains information regarding vector graphics in binary or ASCII. It’s used as an open alternative to the closed DWG format.
AbiWord
Document
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Write
The ABW file format is the default document format for the AbiWord word processing software and the format is based on XML. The ABW file format allows for advanced document layouts, rich text formatting, lists, tables, images and footnotes. ABW files are similar in nature to Microsoft Word DOC files, however, unlike Microsoft Word files, the AbiWord program can run on almost any computer operating system.
Applix Words
Document
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Write
Answer Wizard files are data files saved in the .aw format using an application developed by Microsoft. The Microsoft Answer Wizard Builder software is used to create these AW files, and this application can also be installed and used to open these .aw files.
Comma-Separated Values
Document
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Write
Is a text format used for representing tabular data. Each file line is located on a separate line in the table. The values of the columns are separated by a delimiter, most often a comma. However, other symbols can be used as delimiters as well.
DocBook XML
Document
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Write
To decompress a DBK file outside Sony Ericsson PC Suite, the user should rename the file extension to .ZIP and open it with a .ZIP decompression utility. DBK files are also associated with FJ Software Development's MyPhoneExplorer, which can also be used to manage a Sony Ericsson mobile phone.
Deja Vu
Document
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Write
DjVu is a computer file format designed primarily to store scanned documents, especially those containing a combination of text, line drawings, indexed color images, and photographs. It uses technologies such as image layer separation of text and background/images, progressive loading, arithmetic coding, and lossy compression for bitonal images.
Microsoft Word Document
Document
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DOC is a file extension for word processing documents. It is associated mainly with Microsoft Word application. DOC files can also contain charts and tables, videos, images, sounds and diagrams. It supports almost all the Operating Systems.
Microsoft Word Document with Macros Enabled
Document
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A file with the DOCM file extension is a Word Open XML Macro-Enabled Document file used in Microsoft Word. It was introduced in Microsoft Office 2007. DOCM files are just like DOCX files except that they can execute macros, which lets you automate repetitive tasks in Word.
Microsoft Office Open XML
Document
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Since 2007, Microsoft began to use a file format docx, which is created by using the Office Open XML. The format is a zip-file containing the text in the form of XML, graphics and other data that can be translated into a sequence of bits using patent-protected binary formats. At first it was assumed that this format will replace the doc, but both formats are still used today.
Microsoft Word 97-2003 Template File
Document
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Write
DOT is a template file created by Microsoft Word, a word processing application. The DOT file provides a solution for situations where many similar documents with the same font and layout are required with simple changes between them needed, like names and places for example
Microsoft Word Template with Macros Enabled
Document
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DOTM file has two attributes namely Zip file compression and XML (Extensive Markup Language). It is identical to .DOCX and .DOCM file in which the M stands for macro and the X stands for XML. The application that can open both .DOCX and .DOCM is via Microsoft Word version 2007 or 2010.
Microsoft Word Template File
Document
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Template file created by Microsoft Word, a word processing program; contains default layouts and settings for a document, including styles, AutoText, toolbars, and macros; used as a baseline to create multiple .DOCX documents with the same formatting.
HyperText Markup Language
Document
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HTML is a Web format file. HTML source code can be changed in a text editor. HTML files are being developed for future use in the users web browser, allowing you to format text, images and other materials required sites. File with this format use tags to build web pages. HTML code is parsed Web browser and usually not visible to the user.
KWord native format
Document
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Write
File KWD is one of the files of the Text Files category. Its full name is KWord Document . File format KWD was created by KDE. If you arrived here, you are probably looking for programs that will help you support this particular file extension. In the further part of this page you will find a list of programs that support file KWD sorted by operating systems. If our database contains information about converting a KWD file, you will definitely find it here.
ODF Text Document
Document
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Write
A file to store text created using free software based on OpenOffice. It’s used to store books, reports, notes, and other textual information. The file has an XML structure, is used as an alternative DOC format and has an open source code.
Open XML Paper Specification
Document
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Write
More specifically, a program that can open the .oxps file is not installed on the computer. Note The .oxps format is the default XPS document format in Windows 8. Typically, .oxps files are created when users print to a Microsoft XPS Document Writer (MXDW) printer on a computer that is running Windows 8.
Portable Document Format
Document
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Write
PDF is an electronic document format designed by Adobe Systems using some language features PostScript. The official program for viewing documents in this format, Adobe Reader. Most often, PDF-file is a combination of text with raster and vector graphics and text forms, scripts written in JavaScript and other types of items.
Rich Text Format
Document
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Write
RTF is a cross-platform format for storing labeled text documents, created jointly by Microsoft and Adobe, as meta-tags for the format Word in 1982. Adobe has in 1985 continued to develop the format and created a language PostScript. The basis is a simple text format, control sequences which are not macros that are available for change, and teams with a fixed behavior.
OpenOffice Writer 1.0
Document
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Write
The SXW file format was originally created for StarOffice Writer, the word processing application for Sun Microsystem's StarOffice suite. Programs that can open SXW files include StarOffice Writer and OpenOffice.org Writer. To open an SXW file in Microsoft Word, it's usually possible by renaming it as a DOC file.
Plaintext Text File
Document
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Write
TXT is a file format that contains the text, organized in rows. Text files opposed binaries that contain data that is not intended for interpretation as a text (encoded sound or image). The text file can contain both formatted and unformatted text. Since the very simple text files, they are frequently used for storing data.
Microsoft Works Text Document
Document
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Write
The WPS file format is very similar to the DOC format, it too is a text document but it is created with Microsoft Works Word Processor; and does not include advanced formatting options and macros that a Word document may contain. Most versions of Microsoft Word can open a WPS file, as well as Microsoft Publisher.
Microsoft Excel Worksheet Sheet (97-2003)
Document
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Write
XLS format is used to refer to the documents of the program Microsoft Excel. This file is a spreadsheet. All document data distributed and stored in the cells. Each cell has a unique address, which is denoted by letters and Arabic numerals. The cell can contain fixed data, and data in the form of formulas, which bind more cells.
Office Open XML Worksheet Sheet
Document
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Write
XLSX is a file format created with Microsoft Excel, version from 2007 and younger. This file is a spreadsheet. All data distributed document and stored in the cells. Each cell has a unique address, which is denoted by the letters and Arabic numerals. XLSX file format is based on the Open XML. To reduce the size of the file is compressed ZIP.
XML Paper Specification
Document
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Write
Open XML Paper Specification (also referred to as OpenXPS) is an open specification for a page description language and a fixed-document format. Microsoft developed it as the XML Paper Specification (XPS). It is an XML-based (more precisely XAML-based) specification, based on a new print path (print processing data representation and data flow) and a color-managed vector-based document format that supports device independence and resolution independence.
Hasselblad CFV/H3D39II
Image
Read
No Write
This format is used for storing photos taken with Swedish Hasselblad cameras. It has a RAW image file structure. It is saved without applying automatic corrections. Photographers can edit the 3FR photos by changing the white balance, color correction, and other parameters without sacrificing image quality.
Sony Alpha Raw Image Format
Image
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No Write
This is a format that is used to store RAW photos on Sony digital cameras without the use of compression. It contains the complete set of information that was captured by the camera's sensors through the lens when shooting with minimum adjustments. The opportunities for post-editing depend on the camera model and lens. ARW files can be created and edited in the ArtStudio Image software.
AV1 Image File Format
Image
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Write
AVIF is the youngest, but most efficient and advanced codec for image compression. AVIF file size is 10 times smaller than JPEG with the same image quality. AVIF supports not only Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) images but also High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG). It can store both image items and image sequences. AVIF is a HEIF conformant format. Netflix has published the first AVIF image in 2018, but still only a few software support it.
Bitmap Image File
Image
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Write
BMP is format for storing bitmap images. In this format, you can only save bitmaps monolayer. For each pixel in different files may come different number of bits. The latest versions of the BMP has the ability to control color. In particular, you can specify the endpoints perform gamma correction and embed color profiles ICC.
Canon Digital Camera Raw Image Format
Image
Read
No Write
The format has a TIFF-image structure. It is generated by Canon cameras. The CR2 photo is stored in an uncompressed form and allows you to edit such settings as white balance, exposure, and other settings for photos that were already taken. It is the successor format to CRW, which was used in previous generation Canon SLR cameras.
Canon Digital Camera Raw Image Format
Image
Read
No Write
A legacy format with RAW structure for storing photos taken with Canon cameras. It contains graphical information about data that was obtained through the lens without the use of hardware or software correction and compression. It contains metadata that identify shooting conditions and camera settings.
Cursor File
Image
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Write
CUR is a file – the image of the cursor, sometimes animated, which is used for the mouse pointer in Windows. This may be an arrow (for general use), rotating hourglass (wait), or the symbol I (editing). Users can change or edit the standard cursors. To view and edit files .CUR suitable programs such as Inkscape, Corel VideoStudio.
DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine image)
Image
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No Write
This is an international format that was developed for the purpose of storing images of the body taken with medical imaging equipment. It includes magnetic resonance and computer tomography images, ultrasound images and fluoroscopy, as well as images taken with other medical imaging equipment. DCM also stores patient information in the metadata, which form part of a single file.
Kodak Digital Camera Raw Image File
Image
Read
No Write
The format is designed for Kodak cameras to store uncompressed RAW images in their original form without auto color and white balance correction. The file has a TIFF-structure that allows you to edit the color temperature and exposure of the finished image without losing information and quality, which is something that cannot be done with JPEG format images.
Microsoft DirectDraw Surface
Image
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Write
This is the format that is used in the OpenGL and Microsoft DirectX development environment. It is used to store bitmap images of user interface environments and textures. It allows you to store information in compressed and uncompressed forms. It is used for texturing game models and storing entire textural arrays to create games and 3D-software applications. DDS is used to develop the latest-generation video game consoles. It makes it possible to compress texture blocks 'on the fly', which increases performance when you run the application.
Digital Negative
Image
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This format contains uncompressed RAW images, and it is used to create photos for archival storage. It has a TIFF structure and is distributed with open source. DNG is also used for the intermediate storage of digital images. It is supported by most camera manufacturers. It was developed by Adobe. It can be used to store multiple images, one of which is used for previews.
Epson RAW Format
Image
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This format was created to store images in RAW format that were created using Epson digital cameras. The image is stored in an uncompressed form, and it can be directly printed on Epson printers. This format can be edited using the Epson PhotoRAW software or using plug-ins in other image editors.
High Dynamic-range (HDR)
Image
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This bitmap image format was created for storing images taken in HDR mode, which provides a high dynamic contrast ratio. It may have either a 32- or 16-bit pixel structure. It is used for high-quality graphics with rich bitmap images, with or without lossy compression.
Group 3 FAX
Image
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This format is used to compress TIFF images when sending them via fax machines. This format helps reduce the data transmission time. Group 3 eliminates redundant data during compression in order to reduce file size. The standard 10:1 compression ratio may be increased to the user's preferences, but it can lead to a significant loss of image quality.
Flexible Image Transport System
Image
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This is a format for editing, storing, and transmitting images with metadata for scientific purposes. The main application is astronomy. The main emphasis is on the metadata, which contain information about spatial and photometric calibrations. FTS is often used for storing data without including the actual associated images. It supports the storage of databases, matrices, etc.
Group 3 FAX
Image
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The G3 format is used to compress image files in TIFF format when sending faxes. The compression algorithm allows for the use of a standard 10-times compression, which can be increased. It is used to remove excess image data, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the image and speed up delivery.
Group 4 FAX
Image
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G4 is a method to compress black and white images without losing quality. It is used for fax machines and as a one of the compression types for the TIFF format. G4 treats a picture as black dots and lines on a white page (less file size will be achieved if there are less black dots and lines).
Graphics Interchange Format
Image
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GIF is a format for the exchange of images. It is a popular format graphics. Capable of storing compressed data without loss of quality in the format of not more than 256 colors. GIF format was developed in 1987 (GIF87a) by company CompuServe for transferring raster images over networks. In 1989, the format has been modified (GIF89a), have been added support transparency and animation.
Graphviz
Image
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GV is a default output format for DOT language in the Graphviz Graph Visualization Software. It is used to represent graphs in a form understandable to humans and programs. GV was developed to replace the DOT extension to avoid confusion as it is also used in Microsoft Word before 2007.
Radiance RGBE image format
Image
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This format is used for storing bitmap images with improved levels of color and brightness performance. It combines exposures to record darker tones in the shadows or detail in the lighter areas of a given photo. HDR is able to combine multiple images with different levels of light distribution. It is used to create rich images.
High Efficiency Image Container
Image
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HEIC is a file extension that Apple uses for the HEIF image format, which are usually coded by HEVC codec (High Efficiency Video Compression). This format is great for Live Photos because it can contain an image sequence. The best part about it is that you can store twice as many pictures in the HEIC format as in JPEG in the same size and quality because it uses the next-generation file compression.
High Efficiency Image File
Image
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HEIF is a container that can be a single image or a sequence of images which makes it ideal for Apple's Live Photos. It is based on HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). The format is more convenient than the old JPEG mostly because it is twice smaller despite the fact that is has excellent quality. Therefore you can storage more images on your Apple device which is great. HEIF was developed in 2013 by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) but has become popular only when Apple decided to replace JPEG with it in 2017. However, not so many programs are able to open it which is why you might need to convert it to another format.
Slow Scan TeleVision
Image
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This is the display format associated with the broadcast of slow-scan television. This legacy format was used to transmit a static image given limited bandwidth through the use of specialized software.
Icon
Image
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ICO is a file of this format usually contains a small image icons of different resolutions (16×16, 32×32, 64×64 pixels) and various color depths (16 colors, 32, 64, 128, 256, 16-bit, and so on). Used to display files and folders in the graphical user interface (GUI) operating systems. This format can be opened with the help of the program ACDSee.
Phase One Raw Image
Image
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IIQ is a RAW file format used for photos took on cameras manufactured by the Danish company Phase One. A file with the IIQ extension contains an image without changes that are usually made by default when shooting in other compressed formats. IIQ data must be processed by specialized graphic software.
IPL Image Sequence
Image
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Write
Storage format for images that can be used as graphic textures in 3D applications or computer games. It is also used in the CorelDRAW software as a Pantone Spot reference palette element for the purpose of applying colors to editable elements.
Image JBIG 1-bit Raster
Image
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JBG is a lossless format used to store both black and white, and color images. It was developed by JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) for compressing pictures to send by fax but can also be used quite effectively on other images. Moreover, it offers better compression than the earlier G3 and G4 standards.
Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group
Image
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JBIG is a standard for lossless compression of image formats. Despite the fact that it was initially developed for fax machines, it can be easily used for other types of images. Files saved in the JBIG format are smaller in comparison with the other industry standard formats like G3 or G4.
JPEG File Interchange Image
Image
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JFI is a raster image file format. It was developed by JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and are used to exchange the JPEG encoded data between applications and computer platforms. JFI is usually used to store bitmap graphics with full pallette.
JPEG File Interchange Format
Image
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JFIF is a graphical data format that enables the exchange of compressed JPEG files between computers. The main feature of the format is the use of a marker to indicate parameters that are not used in the JPEG standard, namely, pixel geometry, pixel size and some other parameters.
JPEG Interchange Format
Image
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JIF is a lossy format used for digital photography that was developed by JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). Despite the fact that It is not limited to a certain number of colors and is based on a 24-bit color palette, part of the information is lost during compression.
Garmin Tile Format
Image
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JNX is used by Garmin devices for storing files to display satellite maps available through a BirdsEye subscription. JNX is the so-called tile format which means that a large raster image of the map is divided into smaller rectangular pieces for faster display by the navigator.
JPEG 2000
Image
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JP2 is a bitmap image format JPEG 2000. This can be a picture, an image from a surveillance camera, digital fax and other. In JPEG 2000 to compress the file using the technology of wavelet transform. This allows for a smoother and sharper image and the file size compared to JPEG for the same quality is lower.
JPE Image
Image
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JPE is an extension used as an optional alternative for JPEG images. It is usually used by digital cameras. For example, some Sony cameras are able to save a high quality JPG image along with the low-res copy in JPE for sending via email.
Joint Photographic Experts Group
Image
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JPEG is one of the most popular graphic formats used for storing still images and similar images. JPEG algorithm is capable of compressing the image as lossy and lossless. The most widely used JPEG received in digital photography and picture archiving and communication via the Internet. JPEG compression is not suitable for drawings, text and iconic graphics.
Joint Photographic Experts Group
Image
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JPG extension was assigned to the image files. Many photos and web graphics are saved in JPG. In order to compress many bitmaps are saved in .jpg, that makes it easier to transfer and download these files on the Internet. JPG format based on the 24-bit color palette, the higher the level of compression applied to create the file JPG, the greater the decompression effect on image quality.
Stereo JPEG Image
Image
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JPS is a format used to create a 3D effect out of a 2D pictures. Such files usually contain two images with different perspective appropriate for each eye and they are stored side-by-side.
Kodak Digital Camera Raw Image Format
Image
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Format for photos taken with a Kodak camera. It contains an array of electronic image data that was recorded from the camera's photosensitive elements. It is a RAW image, which offers considerable potential for processing photos to compensate for exposure, white balance, and other parameters without loss of image quality.
Kodak Digital Camera Raw Image Format
Image
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This bitmap format is used in the Kodak DC series family of cameras. It is also known under the name Kodak Photogen. KDC is a RAW photo format for the post-processing of photos that has the ability to change key image parameters while maintaining the original level of detail.
MAC Paint
Image
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This is a bitmap image format that was created by the MacPaint graphics program used on Apple Macintosh computers. The MAC format supported the display of only two colors, including a pattern palette. It was used by Macintosh graphics editors to store black-and-white graphics. The maximum image size was 576×720.
Colormap intensities and indices
Image
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This format is used as the color palette format for a variety of operating system image editors. It is used to store font templates in text and graphic editors. It allows you to change color intensity and transparency levels.
Mamiya Raw Image File
Image
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The format was developed by Mamiya for use in its own cameras. It is mainly used to store photos in uncompressed form for further processing without loss of quality. It was created on the basis of the RAW-file principle. It contains a complete set of information that was obtained from the camera lens.
Multiple-image Network Graphics
Image
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This format is used for storing several types of bitmaps, including animations. MNG allows you to store lossy and lossless images with compression. This format provides you with more options than GIF for saving animated files while keeping the original image size.
Sony (Minolta) Raw Image File
Image
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In this format, you can save images that are shot on Sony (Minolta) cameras and some digital SLR cameras. MRW images are stored in uncompressed RAW form, and they contain more detail than compressed images. This format allows you to edit the white balance, exposure, brightness, and other elements losslessly.
MTV Raytracing image format
Image
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This file format is used to transmit image data. It contains a set of images that can be linked to form an animation. It is used to store non-compressed bitmap images in 24-bit color created using MTV ray tracer.
Nikon Digital SLR Camera Raw Image File
Image
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This is a format that is used for RAW images on Nikon cameras. It contains metadata about the lenses that were used to take the photo, capture settings, and other conditions. It provides a record of the data array obtained by the camera sensors through the lens. It allows you to edit the sharpness, colors, and tones with no loss to the content or quality of the image, which is something that cannot be done with compressed images. It supports 12- and 14-bit images.
Nikon Digital SLR Camera Raw Image File
Image
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This format is used to create images without compression on Nikon Coolpix cameras. The created RAW files contain electronic data from the camera sensor. It is able to save more data compared with compressed photos. With NRW files you can set the exposure, white balance and other settings while preserving all the details in the image.
Olympus Digital Camera Raw Image File
Image
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This format is used by Olympus cameras to create RAW images. These files record data from the camera matrix that are used to generate the image. It contains raw data about contrast, saturation, color temperature, as well as metadata. The exposure and white balance can be changed in an ORF image while maintaining the level of detail and quality of the photo.
On-the-air bitmap
Image
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This format was created by Nokia for use in its proprietary phones. A bitmap image was used to transfer image files between devices over a wireless connection. It was mainly used when exchanging multimedia text messages that support inserting pictures.
16bit/pixel interleaved YUV
Image
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This is an image format that can be transmitted over analog broadcasting channels. It has a 16-bit structure, and it is transmitted using a three-component YUV color model. One component is responsible for brightness, and the remaining two account for differences in color.
Palm pixmap
Image
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This format is used for storing bitmap images. It supports many different file types and compression algorithms. One Palm bitmap file can contain multiple versions of the same images with different colors. These files are used on PALM devices.
Common 2-dimensional bitmap format
Image
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It is used as a common format for bitmaps in operating systems environments based on the UNIX kernel. It is designed for use in many types of graphics. It can be used for all kinds of data with two-dimensional arrays. It covers the RGB-space and transparency levels.
Portable Bitmap
Image
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PBM is a Portable image in black and white. Can be opened with programs: Adobe Photoshop CS, ACD Systems Canvas 15, ACD Systems ACDSee 17, Newera Graphics Converter Pro, Corel PaintShop Pro X6. File contains 1 bit per pixel. PBM is a kind of file format PPM. And can be readable or binary.
Photo CD
Image
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This format was developed by Kodak in order to store images on optical or other media. It is used as a format for archiving scanned documents on Kodak devices. It encodes images in 24-bit color and supports resolutions of up to 6144×4096 pixels.
Apple Macintosh QuickDraw/PICT
Image
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Write
This format was developed by Apple for storing vector and bitmap images with metadata. It was the main format for the QuickDraw graphics software. PCT supports 32-bit and 24-bit images. At the moment, the format is obsolete and has been superseded by more functional solutions.
Personal Computer Exchange
Image
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PCX is standard presentation graphics developed by ZSoft Korporation. Used graphics program ZSoft PC Paintbrush for MS-DOS, word processing and desktop publishing applications, such as Microsoft Word and Ventura Publisher. Not as popular analog BMP, although supported by specific graphics editors such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, GIMP and others.
Pentax Electronic File
Image
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This format is used to create RAW photos on Pentax cameras. It stores the full set of data obtained by the camera's sensors during a shoot. It allows you to fine-tune lighting, shadow, and exposure parameters while retaining all the details and the original quality of the photo.
Portable float format
Image
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Write
This is a graphic file format that supports HDR. It is used for exchanging graphics data between applications. It is also used for development in the Netpbm suite of graphics editors. A PBM image has either a per-pixel RGB structure or instructions for representing grayscale tones.
Portable Graymap
Image
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Write
PGM is a storage format for grayscale images. Files in this format can be opened using software: ACDSee Photo Manager 14, ACD Systems Canvas 15, Corel PaintShop Pro X4. This type of file can be edited with a text editor. PGM files can be in two versions: P2 / P5. P2 are readable, P5 – to binary formats.
JPEG-2000 VM Format
Image
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This is an image file format that is stored without the use of compression algorithms. It is used in the JPEG 2000 standard. This format is capable of storing only one single component, so it is limited to displaying grayscale tones. If you combine multiple PGX files, then you can make a color image.
Personal Icon
Image
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This format is used to store small personal icons. It is used in website development to create favicons that are displayed in the address bar of the web browser as well as in satellite TV for identifying broadcast channels. It is very similar in structure to a GIF format image.
Apple Macintosh QuickDraw/PICT
Image
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This format was used to store bitmap and vector images natively on Macintosh computers. It was used for laying out and sharing images between programs. It used JPEG compression algorithms and RLE encoding. Today, the PICT format is used in the Windows environment with the PCT extension.
Alias/Wavefront RLE image format
Image
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An image format that is used for storing bitmaps. It was designed for use in the Alias PIX graphics processing program. The file structure begins with a header followed by a packet with encoded pixels. It used in the PowerAnimator and Alias 3D software to work with three-dimensional models.
Plasma fractal image
Image
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This is a bitmap image format that is built into the ImageMagick software library. It is used in customizable templates that support the ability to change gradients. These templates produce unique images with vivid and rich transitions when applied to images.
Portable Network Graphic
Image
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PNG is a raster graphic data storage format that uses lossless compression algorithm to Deflate. PNG was created as a free format to replace GIF. PNG supports three main types of raster images: grayscale image, a color indexed image and the color image. PNG format stores graphical information in a compressed form.
Portable anymap
Image
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A bitmap image in the Portable Any Map format that was originally developed for processing and storing several types of monochrome and color images without compression as well as grayscale images. Bitmap graphics data in a PNM file are stored using ASCII or binary structure.
Portable Pixmap
Image
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PPM is a simple format for storing images portable pixmap: color (PPM), grayscale (PGM) and black and white (PBM). These formats can provide an intermediate representation of the data when converting raster image files listed three types between different platforms. PPM format was developed by Jeff Poskanzerom.
Adobe Photoshop bitmap
Image
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Write
This format is used for storing bitmap images in an Adobe Photoshop project file. It is stored in uncompressed form, and it includes color spaces, layers with masks, two-color settings, layer structures and other data that allow bitmap photos to be finely edited.
Seattle Film Works
Image
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No Write
A color bitmap image format produced by the PhotoWorks software, which is intended to be used for the distribution of graphic information. It is used for displaying information on the Internet. It is similar in structure to a JPEG file and can be converted without loss of quality. It is also used to store multiple SFW images.
Fuji CCD-RAW Graphic File
Image
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No Write
Format for storing images without compression that was created for use on Fuji cameras. It comprises a set of data received from camera sensors in the form of RAW files. In contrast to compressed images, RAF provides the ability to edit the levels of sharpness, white balance and exposure. It can carry a copy of the photo in JPG format in the same file.
SUN Rasterfile
Image
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This format is used to display bitmap images in the SunOS operating system. It uses the RLE compression algorithm and supports between 1 and 32 bits per pixel. It can be created in the Unix environment, and it is used for certain types of research projects. It is primarily used on Sun Microsystems computers.
Raw red, green, and blue samples
Image
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This is a color model display format that uses the three primary colors (blue, red and green) to create an image. Each color can have up to 255 gradations, allowing for color depths of up to 48 bits. RGB supports the display of 16,777,216 colors.
Raw red, green, blue, and alpha samples
Image
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This format has the same color structure as RGB, but it includes an alpha channel that is used to display various levels of transparency. The transparency value is set from 0 to 1, where 1 corresponds to opacity. It is described using the CSS3 programming language.
Raw red, green, blue, and opacity samples
Image
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Format for representing colors in the three primary colors (red, green and blue), each of which has 255 gradations. In contrast to the standard RGB, it allows you to change the transparency of the entire image using the opacity parameter. It is less flexible in terms of transparency settings than RGBA.
LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Robot Graphic Format
Image
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RGF is an image file format used by LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3. The software supports 15 languages and works on many devices including iOS and Android tablets, Mac and Windows computers. It allows you to create and program LEGO robots.
Alias/Wavefront image
Image
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No Write
This image file format is used in the Wavefront Advanced Visualize animation software suite. RLA can store several types of information: images with a multichannel visualization, 3D graphics elements, and time-lapse videos. It is used to exchange image information with other applications.
Utah Run length encoded image
Image
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This is a format that applies an 8-bit encoding to images for the purpose of compression and transportation. The format was originally developed for the Utah Raster Toolkit software package for managing bitmaps. The compression algorithm provides a replacement for repeating strings of bytes into pairs, which significantly reduces the file size.
Panasonic Lumix Raw Image
Image
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No Write
RW2 is a RAW image format used by such Panasonic cameras as LX5 and LX7. Although, photos stored in the format cannot be printed right away, they are perfect for professional photographers because they are stored without pre-processing, which allows customizing the image settings in a video editor according to your needs. However, not many programs can open RW2 so the best way is to convert it to a more popular image format.
Scitex HandShake
Image
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No Write
This is an uncompressed format for storing bitmaps in grayscale or in the RGB or CMYK color systems. It can be created in Adobe Photoshop or on Scitex workstations using scanners for the high-quality processing and preparation of high quality images for printing.
Seattle Film Works
Image
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No Write
Format for bitmap images that were created in the Seattle FilmWorks video editor, which is no longer being actively developed. It was also used to create slideshows. The format has a MGI PhotoSuite file structure that supports bitmap images. SFW files can be converted into JPG images.
Irix RGB image
Image
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Write
A bitmap that is stored in compressed form using the RLE algorithm. SGI chromaticity ranges from 8 to 32 bits/pixel. The format is designed for use on Silicon Graphics workstations. It is also known as Irix RGB or IRIS.
DEC SIXEL Graphics Format
Image
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SIX is an alternative extension of the SIXEL bitmap graphics format. It was developed for terminals and printers by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). SIX actually means six pixels of which an image stored in the format consists. If you have a SIX file you want to view but you do not have an access to a DEC terminal, you need to convert it to a more popular format.
DEC SIXEL Graphics Format
Image
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SIXEL is a bitmap graphics format developed by DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation) to use on printers and terminals. Such image consists of six pixels high and one pixel wide represented as an escaped sequence. If you want to open a SIXEL file but do not have a DEC terminal, the only way is to convert it to another more common format.
Sony Raw Format 2
Image
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This digital photo format was created by Sony. It is stored with a RAW-file structure. It contains a wider range of data than a compressed photo. It records the maximum amount of information obtained from the camera's optics and sensors. This gives the photographer more freedom to process and edit photos without loss of detail and image quality.
Sony Raw Format
Image
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No Write
Uncompressed format for storing images taken on Sony cameras. It writes an electronic sequence of data obtained from the camera's sensors. This format supports the deep editing of captured photos, allowing you to change the exposure and color temperature without loss of quality and visual image information.
SUN Rasterfile
Image
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This is a bitmap image format that is used on Sun Microsystems workstations running the Sun Unix operating system. It is used for some types of research. This format does not support transparency settings. It supports full-color and grayscale images.
Truevision TGA (Targa) Image
Image
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Write
TGA is a raster graphic format. It was originally created by Truevision Inc. for graphics cards has its own production in 1984, but later became popular on a variety of platforms, especially in the field of video editing, animation. Format supports color depths 1-32 bits per pixel. There is support for alpha channels, compression RLE.
Tagged Image File Format
Image
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Write
TIFF is a format for storing raster graphics. It is used for scanning and OCR text, faxing, printing industry, is widely supported by a variety of graphics applications. The format was developed by Aldus Corporation in collaboration with Microsoft for use with PostScript. Who is copyright to it owns Adobe Systems. The format used to store images with great depth of color.
PSX TIM
Image
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No Write
This is an image file format that is used on PlayStation game consoles. It supports 4-, 8-, 16-, 24-, and 32-bit color. It is used in game software development and supports standard RGBA with transparency levels. GTA is the most well-known game series that uses TIM image files.
PlayStation 2 (PS2) TIM2
Image
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No Write
TM2 is an extension used to store images as textures on PlayStation 2 by Sony. If you want to open a TM2 file on a computer, you need to convert it to a suitable format.
16bit/pixel interleaved YUV
Image
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Write
This is a color system for displaying image and video files. The luminance component (Y) in UYVY is digitized at each point, whereas the color difference components (U, V) are digitized two times less frequently. It has a 16 bits/pixel structure, and it is used in video rendering and image editors.
Khoros Visualization image
Image
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Write
This is a bitmap image format used in the VisiQuest Khoros visualization software suite. VIFF can be used to store bitmaps that are made up of color zones. It can store up to 2–3 color maps, and it is used to analyze visual data in research software.
VIPS Image
Image
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Write
VIPS is a format used by libvips internally for calculation but it can also be used for storing images. It is simple, fast and has no size limit. However, only a few other programs are able to open such files which is why it is better to convert them to a more popular format.
Wireless Bitmap
Image
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Write
WBMP is a bitmaps wireless application protocol. Files with the extension .wbmp contain bitmap black and white images. In WBMP format monochrome images are in pixels. Pixels are presented in the form of units, are stored as white and pixels, represented as pairs are stored as black. WBMP images are used in a variety of mobile phones.
WebP Image Format
Image
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Write
This is a new format that supports lossless and loss compression quality for images on the Internet. The Google Company developed this format specifically to do work online as quickly and conveniently as possible. The main advantage is that its file size is small compared to other image formats, but similar in image quality.
Compressed Windows Meta File
Image
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No Write
This is a format for storing skins for the Media Player interface in Windows. The WMZ format contains Jscript code and a set of graphical elements. The Jscript determines how each element interacts with the skin. It is stored in compressed form using ZIP compression.
Word Perfect Graphics
Image
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No Write
This format was created in the WordPerfect word processor, which is supported by different operating systems. WPG may contain raster and vector graphics, including Encapsulated PostScript. It used for clip art files, which are often inserted into text documents.
Sigma Camera RAW Picture File
Image
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No Write
RAW photo format designed for Sigma cameras. It uses Foveon technology that extends the sensor's range of sensitivity, allowing you to record the maximum amount of information with each shot. It allows you to make subtle adjustments to the white balance, color, exposure, and other settings while preserving all of the details in the photo.
X Windows system bitmap (black and white)
Image
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This is a monochrome image format with a bitmap structure. It is used to store images of icons and cursors in the X Window System graphical user interface, which is used for remote connections. The structure of an XBM file consists of simple text written in the C programming language.
Constant image uniform color
Image
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No Write
This file format is used as a canvas (background) in a variety of image editing software in order to set the main color of the image. It is used to fill the canvas with one solid color. It belongs to the group of 'pseudo-image' file formats. It can be used for the fill color, which is chosen from the selected area in a particular image.
GIMP image
Image
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No Write
This is a file format for storing projects in the GIMP image editor. It supports the storage of vector and bitmap graphics, layers, guides, selections, and channels that are saved in an XCF project in a compressed form but without loss of quality. It is the analogue of PSD for the Photoshop software.
X Windows system pixmap (color)
Image
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Write
This is an image file format written in textual form in the C language. It is used in the X Windows System interface for remote connections, which is designed to serve clients and servers. This format can be used to store color and monochrome images.
Khoros Visualization image
Image
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Write
This is an image format that is used for visualization in the Khoros software suite. It is a kind of VIFF bitmap image. The format consists of color zones. It is used for visualization purposes in software for both commercial and scientific purposes.
X Windows system window dump (color)
Image
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Write
This format is used to store background images in uncompressed form in the X Windows System user interface for remote server maintenance. It stores a 'dump' or screenshot of the window or background of the client program. It may include different colors depending on the capabilities of the graphics card that is used to create the XWD file.
CCIR 601 4:1:1 or 4:2:2
Image
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Write
This format is used to store images that have been divided into Y, U, and V color components. In this case, Y corresponds to brightness, and the variables U and V correspond to color information. This format is able to store more accurate color information than the RGB color space. The YUV Color System also allows you to store video files and save a particular sequence of images.
OpenDocument Presentation
Presentation
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Write
A file to store presentations with tables, drawings, texts, audio and video created using open source programs: OpenOffice, StarOffice, LibreOffice, etc. The file is editable and based on the XML format. Is an open alternative to the closed PPT format.
Microsoft PowerPoint 97-2003 Template
Presentation
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Write
A POT file is a template created by PowerPoint, a program used to create slide show presentations. It contains the default layout, formatting, and styles for a slide show. POT files are used to create multiple .PPT files with the same formatting.
Microsoft PowerPoint Template with Macros Enabled
Presentation
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Write
A POTM file is a macro-enabled presentation template created by Microsoft PowerPoint, a program used for creating slide show presentations. It contains default images, slide templates, macros, and formatting. POTM files are used to create multiple .PPTM files with the same formatting and macro settings.
Microsoft PowerPoint Template
Presentation
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Write
A PowerPoint Template is a file that can contain commonly used settings to make producing future PowerPoint Presentations and Shows easier. POTX PowerPoint Templates are different than the POT version in that they use the Microsoft Office Open XML format.
PowerPoint Slide Show 97/2000/XP
Presentation
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The file stores slides with presentations and slide shows filled with graphics, audio, video, and textual information. The format is identical to the PPT file, except for the editing feature, and is a bit smaller. Can be opened only in preview mode and prevents other users from changing the structure and content of the presentation.
PowerPoint Slide Show with Macros Enabled
Presentation
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The file that stores macro-enabled slide shows and presentations. PPSM stores a set of slides with graphics, audio and video information, which cannot be edited. It’s used solely to view the generated presentations. To run PPSX file macros, you should first save the file with the PPSM extension.
PowerPoint Slide Show
Presentation
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The extension allows you to save audiovisual and textual information as a presentation or a slide show. Is used solely for viewing the created presentation and has no editing capabilities. It’s based on the XML format and can be opened with PowerPoint 2007 and newer versions. The file may be viewed by the users who do not own a commercial PC version of MS PowerPoint but who could still view the presentation using PowerPoint Viewer.
Microsoft PowerPoint 97/2000/XP
Presentation
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A file to store the generated presentations and Microsoft PowerPoint slide shows with the ability to edit them. It was first introduced to store the data in PowerPoint 97 Editor. Stores a set of individual slides with text, graphics, video, and audio information. The file contains information on visual effects inside the slides.
Microsoft PowerPoint with Macros Enabled
Presentation
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A file that stores macro-enabled slide shows and presentations. It was introduced together with the development of PowerPoint 2007. PPTM stores audio, video, images and text with different formatting styles. The file contains an XML structure and can handle embedded macros. To use embedded macros in PPTX, you must first save the file as .PPTM.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation
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An extension to store presentations and slide shows, for PowerPoint 2007 and newer versions. Contains a set of slides with audiovisual information, multimedia objects, and formatting. The file is created based on the XML format, which allows you to view the recorded information in text editors.
7-Zip Compressed File
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This format works based on the main compression algorithm LZMA. It was originally used in 7-Zip archives. Other compression algorithms can be used in 7z since this format has open architecture for developers. It has a high compression coefficient. The encryption algorithm is AES-256.
WinAce Compressed File
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This is an archive created in the WinAce program with it’s own compression algorithm. It can have practically an unlimited size. It has a high level of compression and high compression speed. It’s used in both the latest versions of Windows and in Mac OS X.
Adobe Font Metrics
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This was developed by the Adobe Company and contains data regarding the metric characteristics of Type 1 PostScript fonts. The AFM structure requires a control template that defines the look of every font symbol. It’s used primarily for UNIX.
ALZip Archive
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This is a compression format created by Korean developers. It uses a compression algorithm similar to ZIP, and optimized for compressing large file sizes. It supports self-extraction and component archives. ALZ files are decompressed and created in the ALZip tool.
ARC Compressed Archive File
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This is an obsolete file archive format. It can store several uncompressed or compressed files in one archive, which can be decompressed with the help of a special tool. It was the forerunner to the ZIP format. It was used in MS-DOS and Macintosh computers.
Archiver Robert Jung
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This is an archive with files compressed with the help of the ARJ algorithm. It supports long file names; file management splits data into several files by size to protect data integrity. It was originally developed for earlier versions of Windows and DOS. Currently a version with open source code works with almost 10 different operating systems.
Amazon Kindle
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Is an e-book format created for Amazon’s Kindle8. This format supports the CSS3 pop-up text system and HTML5 as well as built-in fonts; moreover, it possesses powerful document-formatting capabilities. It contains a function of independently activated DRM protection. AZW3 books can be created with KindleGen, a free software program from Amazon.
PostScript Type 1 (MacBin)
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This is an archive file used on Macintosh computers. It stores branched resources and data in the file system as one file. It includes the storage of fonts and convenient loading of data with Macintosh to the Internet to be transferred to other Mac devices. It’s used to import PostScript Type 1 program language data.
Cabinet File
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CAB – Used for compressing files in the Microsoft Windows OS. The archives are used in OS installation packets (Windows Installer, AdvPack, Device Installer, API) and supports digital signatures. The format uses three compression methods depending on the specific archive.
CFF (Bare)
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This is a format for compact font storage in the OpenType system, allowing for the rasterization of text information. It differs from TrueType in its abilities to describe font symbols and with its font structure variation algorithm, depending on the change in size. CFF allows for increased screen clarity with high resolution, but this is not due to the font, but its rasterization.
Adobe CID Fonts
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This is a format for presenting fonts in PDF files that was initially conceived to store symbols in the Japanese and Chinese languages because it had a 16-bit structure and allowed for more precise adjustment. CID expands the the potential for PostScript by supporting languages that do not have a left-to-right orientation, and by supporting even a vertical mode of orientation.
Copy Input/Output
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A file compression format that is created in a corresponding tape archiver. It’s still used in the Linux version 2.6 kernel and the 'pax' archive installer from Apple. The archive contains header information with data about access privileges, the owner and time of creation. It was created to store back-up data on tape drives and other tape devices. These days Oracle developers deliver much of their software in CPIO format.
Debian Compressed Archive File
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This is a compression format used for Debian packets and other Unix systems. It’s represented as packaged binary files containing information about author privileges, format version numbers, configuration data and other documents needed for installing programs from a packet.
Mac dfont
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This was created for the Mac OS X operating system. Unlike the old operating environment versions, the font is stored in the thread of a data file instead of in resource threads. It’s been used as a container for TrueType fonts since 2009 after the release of Mac OS X 10.6, and is gradually replacing the TrueType Collection.
Electronic Publication
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Is a format developed by the International Digital Publishing Forum. It is characterized by the XML- and XHTM-based optional use of CSS styling. The main feature of this format is the use of reflowable text (word wrap) which makes it possible to adapt the image to different device displays. The ePub file is a zip-archive with an .epub extension.
FictionBook
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Is based on the XML format. Its main tasks are: precise display on a variety of devices, full preservation of document structure, ability to be transformed into other formats. Unlike other popular e-book formats, fb2 does not specify the appearance options for different devices’ displays. The format employs tools to indicate the different parts of the book – verses, epigraphs, quotations.
Java ARchive
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This format is a Java archive and is presented as a typical ZIP file, in which part of the program is written in Java language. It was gradually replaced by new mobile platforms, since JAR is used for launching applications and games on early generation mobile phones. They can contain a digital signature, and they’re actively used in popular browsers for storing supplements.
LHArc
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For archiving with files compressed based on the LHARC algorithm. It’s a popular archiving format on Amiga computers. It’s used for compressing installation packets on earlier games. Later it was replaced by the LZH compression format. Currently LHA is still distributed in Japan.
Sony Media
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Is a format developed by Sony for its proprietary Sony Reader devices. Files in this format may contain text and images. The format is XML-based.
Mobipocket eBook
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Is a format used in the MobiPocket Reader software on desktop and mobile platforms. Books in this format can have .prc and .mobi file extensions. MOBI was originally based on the PalmDOC format; adding HTML tags made it possible to create a high-compression version which compresses data to a high degree. There are a number of formatting restrictions – the text cannot be indented, and inserted tables and images cannot be formatted.
OpenType (CFF) Font
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A format for displaying and storing OpenType fonts. It can be scaled without losing font quality. Today the OTF library has more than 10 thousand fonts. Practically all fonts known today have an OpenType version. The format was based on Postscript and supports Unicode. It was initially developed by Microsoft, but today it belongs to Adobe.
Palm Database ImageViewer Format
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This format was used for storing databases on the Pegasus and Palm PDA devices. Besides images, PDB allowed you to store tables, maps, e-books, and other data in a structured way. Today it has become obsolete and has been replaced by more flexible formats with DRM protection.
PostScript Type 1
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This is a 7-bit font format used for directly downloading to a PostScript printer. It has two character encoding in hexadecimal. It has good compatibility with multiple font formats. PFA contains an outline for font symbols and is formatted in ASCII text data.
PostScript Type 1 (Binary)
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This format was developed to simplify use of Type1-fonts in some software. It’s 8-bit and so it’s quickly processed by programs and it has a compact structure. PFB contains additional metadata. Besides the storage of system fonts, a good example of its use is its application in AutoCAD to create font files with compilation.
PostScript Type 3
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This format is used to store templates and designs in PageMaker 3. PT3 allows for a set of font descriptions, and for the layout and graphical elements to be stored in PostScript Type 3 format. This container is used as an editable file to meet publishing needs, and was created in a program for the PageMaker layout.
WinRAR Compressed Archive
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This is one of the most common file compression formats. It was created by Russian programmer Evgeny Roshal. The format allows one to break up an archived file into several parts, to block an archive to prevent accidental modification, and to enhance data recovery (helps to renew a damaged archive). It has a 128-bit AES algorithm.
Rocket eBook
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Was developed for the first mass-produced e-book reader – Rocket eBook. The format is written in Ruby. RB files are containers holding the entire content for a Rocket eBook device. It has DRM protection capability which is not used in the books published at present due to the format’s lack of popularity.
Red Hat Package Manager
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This archive format is used as an installation packet in the Unix operating system for updating, querying, checking, deleting and installing software products. The RPM archive is a database that is comprised of a single base of program packets and a large number of small databases. The system can store information about packet modifications, deletions and installations.
Spline Font Database
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This is a format for storing raster and vector fonts created or changed in FontForge. By opening an SFD file in this program you can store it in any modern font format like TrueType or OpenType. SFD contains all the information about the point setting of each symbol created or changed in FontForge.
Shanda Bambook
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Is a format developed for the Shanda Bambook e-books, and is exclusive to those devices. Certain e-books produced by other companies can also view documents of this type. Shanda released its latest device in 2011 which is why this format is not widely used at present.
Type11 (CID 2)
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This is a format for storing and presenting text information. It’s also referred to as CID 2 and is basically used for imaging and creating complex fonts in PDF. It’s based on the TrueType system, but allows for more precise adjustment and allows for refined writing due to a 16-bit structure that is very important when displaying Asian language symbols.
Type42
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Type42 was based on the PostScript language for displaying TrueType fonts. It allows for printing all TrueType fonts on PostScript printers and allows for rasterization when displayed. All changes in font structure occur with PostScript procedures. It supports multibyte TrueType fonts in Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
Tape Archive File
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This is the standard format for data compression in a Unix environment. It’s used to store several files in one archive and for creating a file system archive and for software distribution. In a TAR archive, information is logged about the owner, file groups, catalog structures and file timestamps. Different bzip2 and gzip tools are used to create an archive.
Compressed Archive File
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The most complete version of the TBZ archive. It’s created with the help of the Bzip2 utility. It was created for use in Unix systems. The TAR container combines several files into one archive that’s placed in a TBZ compressed file.They’re used as installation packets in the installers of some operating systems.
Text Compression for Reader
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Is an e-book format developed for the Psion Series 3 platform used in the 1990s. It contains text and its formatting parameters. This e-book format was used exclusively in Psion devices.
Compressed Archive File
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A compressed file which is a TAR archive. Created for use in Unix systems. The TAR container combines several files into one archive that is placed in a TGZ compressed file. They’re used as installation packets in the installers of some operating systems.
TrueType Font
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This is a standard TrueType font format developed by Apple Computer in 1989. The advantage of TTF till now has been its high level of font display control right up to the pixel. It has a vector format so it’s easy to scale. Today TrueType is used in operating systems from Apple to Microsoft.
Unified Font Object
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This is a format for storing raster images, developed by the Ulead Company. It can include several edible layers, like in a Photoshop document. The image raster format was transferred to the TrueType font system and allows for the presentation of graphical information in a text format.
Web Open Font Format
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It belongs to TrueType and OpenType font formats and has analog compression that stores rendering technology. In WOFF it’s possible to store individual metadata with font info. It’s been used since 2010 for the main purpose of storing and transferring fonts on the Internet. It was developed by the Mozilla Foundation.
Compressed Archive File
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A common format for compressing data. It’s used by a large number of applications for the exchange of data, back-ups and file compression. In ZIP archives they use various compression algorithms. The cryptographic algorithm is proprietary, so confidential data is better stored in an archive with a more complex protection system (RAR, 7z, etc.).
Acorn Draw
Vector
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This is a format created in the Acorn Draw program, intended for image visualization by using vector lines. It’s used for storing information in the publishing business (brochures, logotypes, etc.). The main advantage is it’s high quality source images when printing. It’s been in use since 1980.
Adobe Illustrator
Vector
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This is a vector image created in the Adobe Illustrator program. It consists of lines that connect points; it’s used in SMI and during the creation of logotypes. They can be increased without lose of quality since they don’t contain raster image data. AI consists of a header, identifier strings and graphics objects. It functions to present graphical images in EPS format.
Corel Compressed Exchange files
Vector
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This is a format used for storing clipart images for working with CorelDRAW vector imaging. It’s used for entering separate, prepared graphical elements into a vector graphics design. It’s used as a blank template and is distributed in the form of millions of prepared cliparts which can compliment your own design.
CorelDRAW Graphics files (7-X3,X4 versions)
Vector
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This is a format for storing graphical information, created in the CorelDRAW program. It can contain raster and vector images. It’s used exclusively in vector editors from the Corel company. For use in third-party software it’s necessary to use converters. Version 10 and earlier can be opened in vector software from Adobe. CDR can be opened also with the help of Inkscape and sK1 programs.
CorelDRAW templates files (7-X3,X4 versions)
Vector
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This is a vector imaging format used in the CorelDRAW editor. It has a template that can be applied for other designs, including styles, grid parameters, page layout and other parameters. The CDT template allows for the creation of several images in one style without changing the settings in manual mode.
Computer Graphics Metafile
Vector
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This is used to exchange vector graphics among different platforms. It stores not only 2D vector images, but also raster images. It allows you to store a large number of graphical information types and is applied primarily for design in aviation, engineering and other technical fields.
Corel Presentation Exchange files (CMX1 format)
Vector
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This format is used for data exchange in programs that work with vector graphics from Corel, and also for printing completed designs. It contains image data and also the metadata that describes it. In CMX it’s possible to store layers that can be independently edited. The format is recognized by Adobe Illustrator versions 6-8.
Design format (Tajima)
Vector
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This is a file for creating designer instructions for Tajima embroidery machines with set computerized control. It contains a set of codes and coordinates that control needle work, stops, laying seams or skipping sections. It contains data regarding vector formats and color pallets.
Enhanced Metafile
Vector
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This format is applied in universal vector graphics in Windows applications. It’s used to store collections of graphical drawings. It stores data in the RGB range, not supporting the CMYK system. It can be used as the graphics language for a printer driver. It has a 16-bit structure.
Encapsulated PostScript
Vector
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This is a format for storing graphical vector images used in the Adobe Illustrator program and other software for processing vector graphics. EPS can have a binary or ASCII structure. It can contain raster images, 2D vector graphics and text. It’s also applied as a convenient format for transmitting images among several programs or operation systems.
Embroidery file format (Melco)
Vector
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This is used for creating scheme files with a set of instructions for embroidery on Melco and Bernina sewing machines. The EXP format for Melco sewing machines contains only information about skips, which create necessary patterns. EXP for Bernina already contains information regarding thread color schemes used in a design. The files are edited and created in vector graphics processing programs.
XFig file format
Vector
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This is a file used for creating line plots in the form of vector images. They include text objects, splines, forms, arcs, lines and arrows. It can contain a set of colors, images and sketches. It was initially developed for the Xfig drawing program, but today it’s used in other drawing editors.
Design format (Pfaff home)
Vector
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This format is used for sewing software on Windows for creating seams with a specific layout. It contains template information that can be sown onto the necessary material on programable sewing equipment. It contains vector imaging for templates.
Embrid Embroidery Format
Vector
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It is used for computerized automation on Brother, Babylock, and Bernina sewing machines to create different types of embroidery. These files are created using specialized vector graphics software or the CorelDraw editor. It consists of the 'pass' and 'stop' commands as well as algorithms for applying thread colors.
HPGL for cutting plotter
Vector
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A vector images format for the HP plotter, created with the help of the Hewlett-Packard Graphics language. It consists of a set of two-character encoding which determines the allocation of starting points in the plotter. It’s used in various programs for plotting and it’s scalable, maintaining image quality. It has an ASCII structure and is an equivalent to HPG files.
PostScript (Type 0)
Vector
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This is an expansion of the PostScript programming language that’s often used in the publishing business. It was developed in 1982 by Adobe Systems. Before the introduction of PS, printing text and images on one page wasn’t possible. PostScript makes this possible by giving a printer commands to print out text and graphical information as needed. PS also contains print coordinates for objects on a page.
Sketch/Skencil format
Vector
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This format is a vector images file in the Sketch Drawing program, which serves to edit and create interface designs, applications and software shells. SK-files contain objects and layers which can be edited independently of each other.
sK1 vector graphics
Vector
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This is a vector images format created in a program for SK1 drawings, which was developed under Linux for open distribution. It contains vector graphics and is used for storing maps, brochures, logos and other illustrations. Today it’s used in vector graphics editors such as Sketch and Skencil.
Scalable Vector Graphics
Vector
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SVG is a markup language, scalable vector graphics, created by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), designed for describing two-dimensional vector and mixed vector / raster graphics in XML. Supports both and animated, interactive graphics and declarative scripting. Not support the description of three-dimensional objects. The basis of SVG VML formed markup languages and PGML.
Computer Graphics Metafile
Vector
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A format for storing vector graphics in Windows, involved in the direct output of an image in a specific context on the screen of a graphical device. It’s also used for transferring information from the clipboard. It supports a 24-bit RGB-color palette and is used to export graphics in Windows.
Third Generation Partnership Project
Video
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3G2 is an audio and video format developed by Third Generation Partnership Project for CDMA-based (Code Division Multiple Access) phones. Actually it is an updated version of the 3GP file extension. Both formats are based on the ISO base media file format that facilitates presentation and interchange of the media. The 3G2 format is flexible and requires little storage space that is why it is mostly used by cell phones for saving files. However 3G2 movies can be played on computers but in some cases additional applications may be needed.
Third Generation Partnership Project
Video
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3GP is a multimedia container developed by Third Generation Partnership Project in 1998 for GSM-based (Global System for Mobile Communications) phones. The container requires little bandwidth, storage space and data usage that is why it is ideal for cell phones. It is a standard container for the files sent using MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service).
Advanced Authoring Format
Video
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AAF is a format created for storing results of nonlinear post-production video processing. AAF is a non-linear editing analog of EDL format. It is cross-platform interoperable and designed to replace OMFI, so a wide variety of manufacturers support AAF in their authoring software. AAF encapsulates metadata, program content and its history, source elements, remote online content, rich set of built-in standard media effects, HTML/XML content and localizations.
Advanced Systems Format
Video
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ASF is a media container used by Microsoft Windows Media Player. It was designed for streaming audio and video files online. The container determines the structure of the data stream but not how the data should be encoded. Usually the files encoded by Microsoft developers have the .wma or .wmv extensions, other files have .asf extension. Such files generally have MIME type that allows sending files via the internet. The main feature of the ASF is the ability to stream playback, that is the ability to play a video or audio directly at the time of downloading data over the network.
AOMedia Video 1
Video
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AV1 is a new open codec developed by Alliance for Open Media consisting of companies that produces electronics and develops web browsers. The codec is aimed to send high-quality videos via the internet quickly and without losing the quality even when bandwidth is low. AV1 is more efficacious then today's most popular video formats because it uses future compression technology.
Advanced Video Coding High Definition
Video
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AVCHD is a video codec designed for recording high definition videos in 720p, 1080i and 1080p modes on such rewritable discs as Blu-Ray and AVCHD, hard disks and memory cards. The AVCHD standard implies using of AVC video compression format, AC3 audio codec and MTS or M2TS file extension. The main feature of the codec is high compression efficiency together with high image quality. But here comes the main flaw – the codec is really heavy for playback.
Audio Video Interleave
Video
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AVI is a multimedia container that is very popular among PC and Mac users. The format was developed by Microsoft in 1992. Usually AVI is used as a video format but unlike other formats of that time, AVI may contain both audio and video data compressed with a use of different combinations of codecs. More often such video codecs as DivX and XVID are used with .avi files. For audio playback such codecs as MP3, AC3 and PCM are used. It is possible to play AVI files with Windows Media Player or other similar programs.
Chinese AVS video
Video
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CAVS is a set of coding/decoding standards developed by Workgroup of China in 2002. The technology is aimed to resolve problems of audio and video compression, namely original data and sources. This format is not widely supported on a PC, but is widely used for DVD-players and home theater systems in China.
DivX Networks
Video
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DivX is a progressive implementation of the MPEG-4 format. It offers a significantly higher degree of video compression (comparing to another H.263 video codecs) and carries a number of revolutionary innovations of that time. To playback DivX files on PC, you can use many different programs because currently most video players support DivX even in FullHD resolution. For viewing such files in modern browsers the company developed DivX Web Player. However, the H.263 standard (which DivX implements) was created in 1996 and is currently considered obsolete. It was replaced by the H.264 and H.265 standards that are implemented in more progressive codecs such as HEVC and AV1.
Digital Video
Video
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DV is a digital format of magnetic video recording and a type of video compression developed by the major video equipment manufacturers in 1995. The DV format uses an 8-bit digital component video signal with a resolution of 720×576 pixels. Data transfer is made in the form of a DIF-sequence that contains video, audio and subcode data. Date and time are recorded in the service area.
Flash Video
Video
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F4V is a Flash Video format supported by Adobe Flash Player software and all browsers with flash video playback. The container uses boxes for data storage and it is compatible with h.264 video and AAC audio compression standards. F4V files provide better quality than FLV but need a newer version of Flash (9.0.115 or higher) and a faster processor.
Flash Video
Video
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FLV is a Flash Video container used on popular hosting sites that stores audio, video and other data. It often uses h.264 or h.263 codecs for video storage and MP3 for audio. There are a lot of programs for both Windows and Mac operating systems that are able to open .flv files.
High Efficiency Video Coding
Video
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HEVC or h.265 is the most advanced codec for now because it has the lowest bitrate without losing the image quality. The codec has three main features that distinguishes it from others: parallel decoding, random access to images within the video stream and larger maximum block size. HEVC is aimed to offer the same level of video quality as AVC (h.264), but with improved compression, that is why a video file compressed with the codec will be twice smaller.
MPEG-2 Transport Stream
Video
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M2TS is a file name for BDAV (Blu-ray Disc Audio-Video) format developed by Japanese companies in 2006. It is used for high definition audio and video streaming on Blu-Ray Disc and AVCHD. M2TS can be opened by all popular media players such as Windows Media Player.
MPEG-2 Video
Video
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M2V is a format containing only video data, audio is stored in other accompanied file. The extension is widely used in DVDs and video compression systems. Actually it is an MPEG-2 video stream. M2V is also used in digital TV where serves as a standard that defines the structure of transport streams and data transmission methods.
MPEG-4 Video
Video
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M4V is a video container that stores audio and video data used for iTunes files. Files of this type may be protected from illegal viewing and copying with Apple FairPlay DRM. In this case audio or video files should be bought in iTunes store. Not protected files can be viewed almost in any modern player because the format is based on MPEG-4 structure.
Motion JPEG
Video
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MJPEG is a format of multimedia data, which uses a frame-by-frame video track compression technology JPEG. This codec does not encode the difference (movement) between frames, whereby the image in some places does not turn out smooth enough. The main advantage of this format is the low requirements to hardware computational power, which, in turn, leads to a low level of compression and a larger resulting file size. It is actively used in web and IP-cameras.
Matroska Multimedia Container
Video
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MKV is an open source container that can contain media data compressed with a use of different codecs. It has a lot of advantages over the legacy AVI container: it can contain audio tracks and subtitles in different languages, that can be switched without stopping the playback, file seek and rewind are very fast. Also the format is easy to edit, that is why audio and video data can be extracted effortlessly.
JVC Recorded Video File
Video
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MOD is a format containing MPEG-2 video and AC3 audio. The extension is rarely used, that is why it can be opened only with special programs. Also MOD files can be playback by DVD players. If you want to open it with a standard player, the easiest way is to convert the file to MPG. Usually the format is used by Panasonic and JVC for recording video, the data is saved to a hard disk or SD card.
Apple QuickTime Movie
Video
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MOV is a format developed by Apple and used for movie and other video data storage. It is compatible both with Windows and Mac. However, Windows Media Player can open only early versions of the file extension. If you have versions 2.0 and higher, you need Apple QuickTime Player or you can convert it to other format compatible with your player.
MPEG-4 Part 14
Video
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MP4 is an extension defined by MPEG-4 video standard and AAC audio standard. It is a container that supports all kinds of media such as video, audio, subtitles, 2D and 3D graphics. It is possible to open MP4 file with almost any player on Windows but on Mac you should use a plug-in or just convert the file to another format.
Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 1 (MPEG-1)
Video
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MPEG was developed in 1993 as MPEG-1 and it was a very popular format for audio and video storage. Today it is the most compatible media format in the world. When the format first appeared, it was innovate and ahead of its time, provided relatively high quality files while reducing their size and made it easy to upload and download files by compressing them. These features allowed creating video CDs, digital TV and digital audio broadcasting. Due to its age, MPG is no longer covered by any patents, that is why both Mac and Windows applications along with many hardware support MPEG video and audio natively.
MPEG-2
Video
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MPEG-2 is a video coding format, first standardized in 1995 and revised in 2013. Due to relatively low computational complexity this standard gained popularity and massive native implementations in video hardware. Hence MPEG-2 has actually become a standard in satellite and cable broadcasting. MPEG-2 is also used for creating DVDs for the same reasons (native hardware support by DVD players).
Moving Picture Experts Group
Video
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MPG is an extension used for files compressed with MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 standard. MPG files can be played on Windows, Mac and any mobile devices. The first versions of this format were significantly limited, supporting low video resolution and limiting data bandwidth, but latest standard updates allows it to be used even in HDTV broadcasting.
MPEG-2 Transport Stream
Video
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MTS is a high definition video extension developed by Sony and Panasonic companies for their high-definition consumer video cameras. Later these companies joined their forces in the Blu-ray Disc Association. AVCHD technology supports 720p and 1080i resolution. The format uses MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 codec for video compression and Dolby Digital AC-3 for audio compression. Blu-Ray players can playback MTS videos without compression.
Material Exchange Format
Video
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MXF is a media container developed by SMPTE association for professional use. MXF implements subset of Advanced Authoring Format (AAF) data model and nowadays become a standard in professional non-linear video editing. MXF files can be compressed with almost any codec and easily converted to any popular video format. Worth noting that Sony's, Panasonic's and Canon's implementation of this format carries a lot of incompatibilities, that was a big flaw of this container. These issues were addressed in the 2009 version of the standard.
Ogg Video File
Video
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OGV is a container that uses OGG open source format. OGG is unrestricted of software patents which was one of the main goals of its creation. OGV file extension is used to store video stream with or without audio which in turn may be compressed with the Opus, Vorbis, Theora or Speex algorithm. The format is used to play video content on web pages with the help of HTML5. OGV files can be played by wide variety of media players.
RealMedia
Video
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RM is a proprietary video container created by RealNetworks Inc. – the pioneers in streaming media over the internet market. This format supports DRM and was widely used to stream video and audio data online in the early 2000s with more than 80% of online streaming was in the RealMedia format. RM is supported by iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac. This container is often used by online radio stations. Nowadays it is still necessary to install Real Player plugin to be able to play RM files on such streaming websites.
RealMedia Variable Bitrate
Video
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RMVB is a file format with a variable bitrate developed by RealNetworks. Actually it is an improved version of RM format. It gives greater bandwidth to videos that are difficult to compress. The extension keeps a high video definition. RMVB files are very popular in Asia and they are not supported by all popular players, so the easiest way to playback them is to convert them to another most common format.
Small Web Format
Video
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SWF is a format designed to store vector graphics and animation, it may contain sound, video, text and other data. Such files are widely used for creating animation, games and playing video and audio on web pages. It is possible to open SWF files with Adobe Flash Player or with a browser that has the flash plugin installed.
JVC Transport stream On Disk
Video
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TOD is a file format that is not widely used. TOD videos are usually captured by JVC cameras. It is a high-definition format that uses transport stream for video data. TOD files cannot be directly played on consumer video equipment. They must be converted or repacked into one of the widely adopted distribution format.
Transport Stream
Video
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TS is an extension defined by MPEG-2 standard. It is usually used for storing video and audio on DVDs, for streaming media online and broadcasting. This media container consists of elementary streams stored in a way that allow quick playback resume and audio/video synchronization after an error in data transfer was encountered.
DVD-Video Object
Video
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VOB is a format for DVD files that are usually stored in the VIDEO_TS folder. VOB is based on MPEG-2 and it can contain video, audio, subtitles and other data. Each file should be less than 1 GB to be compatible with all operating systems, otherwise they will not be read.
WEB Media
Video
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WebM is an open media container compressed with VP8 video codec and Vorbis audio codec. WebM format has high video playback quality and data compression parameters.The format is widely used for adding media to web pages and it is supported by all modern web-browsers like Opera, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. The embedding of WebM videos to a site page realizes without delays and errors. WebM is meant to be an alternative to the h.264 standard. The copyright of the extension is held by Google.
Windows Media Video
Video
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WMV is a codec usually used for video compression in ASF format. It is possible to open WMV files both on Mac and Windows with almost any player or convert the format to another one. WMV supports DRM protection that prevent users from copying information. It is the main reason why the format is widely used by companies that sell digital video and audio online. Also the format is well-known among users because WMV files are used on popular Xbox 360 devices. Low bitrate makes such files an ideal solution for HD DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Windows Recorded TV Show
Video
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WTV is a format for videos recorded by Windows Media Center where video is encoded by MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or h.264 and audio – by MPEG-1 Layer II or Dolby Digital AC-3. WTV file can contain video, audio, text and other data. The container replaced DVR-MS that was used by previous versions of the Windows program. WTV supports DRM that allows protection of the content by its owner.
XviD
Video
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XviD is a codec based on the MPEG-4 standard. The codec distorts colors but it has high definition in dynamic scenes. XviD is constantly updating because it is an open source codec and anyone who is interested can participate in the development of the program. Using XviD may be illegal in some countries because the compression methods used in MPEG-4 are patented.
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