2006.11.24 16:02 "Re: [Tiff] Windows HD Photo - any interest?", by Andrey Kiselev

On Fri, Nov 24, 2006 at 09:23:24PM +1100, Brad Hards wrote:

Turns out it is really a TIFF-like format, with a unique codec and some special tags. The tags are described in one specification, known as the Feature specification. The codec is described in a different spec, known as the bitstream specification. They are both embedded in a Device Porting Kit (DPK), which you can find at: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/xps/hdphotodpk.mspx

The codec itself is an interesting part. AFAIR it was claimed that their codec is very computationally inexpensive.

But the codec implementation supplied with this Kit is effectively non-free. It is not compatible neither with libtiff license terms nor with other popular free software licenses. I hope that it is possible to use documentation to do independent implementation:

"1. You may review these Materials only (a) as a reference to assist You in planning and designing Your product, service or technology ("Product") to interface with a Microsoft product, specification, service or technology ("Microsoft Product") as described in these Materials; and (b) to provide feedback on these Materials to Microsoft. All other rights are retained by Microsoft; this Agreement does not give You rights under any Microsoft patents."

Though, the patent issue remains.

Anyway, it is out of scope for libtiff at the moment.

Best regards,

Andrey

--
Andrey V. Kiselev
ICQ# 26871517