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HEIF/HEIC format crippled?

When I first heard about Apple supporting HEIF (HEIC), my initial reaction was VERY positive.


Why? Untill now photographers have only able to export high quality RAW images to either 8bit JPEG, or gigantic (size wise) 16 bit TIFF files (briefly ignoring other formats, which are either 8 bit, or also huge in file size).


The real power of HEIF (HEIC) is, among other things, full support for 16 bit color depth, while maintaining an acceptable file size (close to JPEG).


Unfortunately, as it turns out, Apple crippled it's support, by not adding 16 bit color depth to MacOS's native frameworks.


As a result, solutions like Pixelmator Pro, can only export HEIF (HEIC) in 8 bit. 


Sure, the file size of the image will be smaller than JPEG, however photographers won't be able to make use of the most important quality of this format (read: 16 bit).


Especially on prints or larger screens, the benefit of 16 bit color depth is clear.


To be frank, I really wonder WHY Apple refrained from adding 16 bit color depth, and truely hope this will change rather sooner than later..

MacBook Pro 13”, 10.15

Posted on Jan 25, 2020 9:13 AM

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Jan 25, 2020 9:22 AM in response to robertjan88

robertjan88 wrote:

When I first heard about Apple supporting HEIF (HEIC), my initial reaction was VERY positive.

To be frank, I really wonder WHY Apple refrained from adding 16 bit color depth, and truely hope this will change rather sooner than later..



Apple has published limited information:


Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices - Apple support https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207022

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Jan 25, 2020 10:24 AM in response to robertjan88

Nevertheless, so far I have NEVER received any feedback when it comes to filing this form...


Why would you expect to? Did you not read what it says at the top of the page...


We read all feedback carefully, but we are unable to respond to each submission individually.
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Jan 25, 2020 3:08 PM in response to robertjan88

That's a bit of a reach. No I think the reason Apple developers don't get involved here is that the signal-to-noise ratio makes it utterly not worthwhile. What would they achieve by answering your query? They explain why and then you argue that their reason is not good enough and you want it the way you prefer. All noise, no useful signal. But hey, here's a rule of thumb: if your question begins with Why then you really need to ask the developers. So, go write to them. This is not a route for that.

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HEIF/HEIC format crippled?

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