Image Capture importing HEIC files instead of Jpg files?

[Benz63amg]

So i always import the photos from my iPhone to my mac using image capture and i just imported like 200 photos but i noticed that most of the files are HEIC files and not jpg files, what gives? where are all the Jpgs that are supposed to be imported from the iphone?

 

[bripab007]

HEIC is a new, more efficient image format introducted in iOS 11 and macOS 10.13. Please see here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207022

 

[Benz63amg]

Yea but how do I view the files on the Mac? Preview doesn’t play it. I much rather import jpg files instead of this new format, is there a way to do it?

 

[achappy]

Yea but how do I view the files on the Mac? Preview doesn’t play it. I much rather import jpg files instead of this new format, is there a way to do it?

I don't know for sure since I have macOS High Sierra which supports HEIF but there is a setting under Settings->Photos->Transfer to MAC or PC->Automatic which is suppose to convert JPG when transferring to a computer that doesn't support HEIF. I've never tested it however.

 

[lemimouth]

At the bottom left of the image capture app there is a setting to let you keep original format or not (can't do a screenshot right now). Check that

 

[Benz63amg]

I don't know for sure since I have macOS High Sierra which supports HEIF but there is a setting under Settings->Photos->Transfer to MAC or PC->Automatic which is suppose to convert JPG when transferring to a computer that doesn't support HEIF. I've never tested it however.

So if I select “automatic” it will import JPEGs to my Mac? It’s set to keep originals at the moment

But one question I have now is this, if it will import jpegs will they still be the full quality and resolution?

 

[gwang73]

So if I select “automatic” it will import JPEGs to my Mac? It’s set to keep originals at the moment

But one question I have now is this, if it will import jpegs will they still be the full quality and resolution?

From what I understand, it will convert HEIC to JPEG. Since both are lossy formats, the JPEG quality will be slightly less than if it was never stored as HEIC but it will be full resolution.

If this isn't acceptable, you can goto settings-->camera-->formats and select 'most compatible' and it will natively store in JPEG and therefore you avoid double compression.

 

[Benz63amg]

From what I understand, it will convert HEIC to JPEG. Since both are lossy formats, the JPEG quality will be slightly less than if it was never stored as HEIC but it will be full resolution.

If this isn't acceptable, you can goto settings-->camera-->formats and select 'most compatible' and it will natively store in JPEG and therefore you avoid double compression.

Thank you! I set to it “most compatible”, it seems like a no brainer, why would I set it to capture in that odd high efficiency format anyways(just to save some storage space?)

Should I keep that other “Transfer to MAC” setting at “Keep originals” or set it to “automatic”?

For video recording I should be using 4K 30fps right? I tried 60fps and it was too smooth

 

[gwang73]

Thank you! I set to it “most compatible”, it seems like a no brainer, why would I set it to capture in that odd high efficiency format anyways(just to save some storage space?)

Should I keep that other “Transfer to MAC” setting at “Keep originals” or set it to “automatic”?

For video recording I should be using 4K 30fps right? I tried 60fps and it was too smooth

The Transfer to Mac shouldn't matter if you switch the first setting but I'd keep it to Automatic setting.

For video, if you like the "cinematic" look, then keep it set to 30fps, which is what I have mine set to mostly. For high motion scenes like sports, I switch to 60p so the motion is smoother.

HEIF uses HEVC encoding which for sure is better for video and slightly better than JPEG for stills but until the entire ecosystem supports HEIC still images, sharing them outside the Apple ecosystem will result in double compression.

 

[Benz63amg]

The Transfer to Mac shouldn't matter if you switch the first setting but I'd keep it to Automatic setting.

For video, if you like the "cinematic" look, then keep it set to 30fps, which is what I have mine set to mostly. For high motion scenes like sports, I switch to 60p so the motion is smoother.

HEIF uses HEVC encoding which for sure is better for video and slightly better than JPEG for stills but until the entire ecosystem supports HEIC still images, sharing them outside the Apple ecosystem will result in double compression.

What’s “better” with the high efficiency format compared to jpeg? How are these “high efficiency” photo files supposed to be even viewed on the Mac since “preview” can’t play them

 

[gwang73]

What’s “better” with the high efficiency format compared to jpeg? How are these “high efficiency” photo files supposed to be even viewed on the Mac since “preview” can’t play them

HEIC is a better compression algorithm than JPEG. Basically, there is less compression noise with HEIC vs. JPEG at the quality setting so that HEIC files can be smaller than JPEG files without sacrificing quality. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison myself but if you Google HEIC vs. JPEG, you can see some side-by-side comparisons that other people have done.

Another advantage to using Apple's HEIC format is that it supports P3 color space, which is larger than sRGB which equates to more available color. JPEG can only support sRGB color space.

 

[Benz63amg]

HEIC is a better compression algorithm than JPEG. Basically, there is less compression noise with HEIC vs. JPEG at the quality setting so that HEIC files can be smaller than JPEG files without sacrificing quality. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison myself but if you Google HEIC vs. JPEG, you can see some side-by-side comparisons that other people have done.

Another advantage to using Apple's HEIC format is that it supports P3 color space, which is larger than sRGB which equates to more available color. JPEG can only support sRGB color space.

But how am I supposed to view these “high efficiency” format photos on my Mac? “Preview” doesn’t play them

 

[gwang73]

But how am I supposed to view these “high efficiency” format photos on my Mac? “Preview” doesn’t play them

You'll either need to have a Mac running High Sierra or download the latest Lightroom CC or Photoshop CC to view HEIC without transcoding the file to something else.

 

[Benz63amg]

You'll either need to have a Mac running High Sierra or download the latest Lightroom CC or Photoshop CC to view HEIC without transcoding the file to something else.

Yeah i just dont see myself using that new high effiency format so i'm gonna have the camera on my iPhone X continue using the "most compatible" format from now and on, I'm just wondering whether having that secondary "Transfer to MAC" under the "Photos" setting menu set to "Keep originals"(that's what i currently have it set to) or "automatic" make a difference at this point

 

[yellowscreen]

I've got the opposite version of the problem, why isnt my imac 2012 high sierra using HEIC in iCloud photo library? high efficiency image capture is turned on while the transfers are automatic. shouldnt it automatically detect high sierra and heic support? any insight is appreciated, thank you

 

[gwang73]

I've got the opposite version of the problem, why isnt my imac 2012 high sierra using HEIC in iCloud photo library? high efficiency image capture is turned on while the transfers are automatic. shouldnt it automatically detect high sierra and heic support? any insight is appreciated, thank you

I have my setting on 'keep originals' and get HEIC. I just tried automatic and am getting the same results as you (importing JPG) when I use Image Capture. Must be a bug on MacOS and/or iOS. I just keep my setting to 'keep originals'.

 

[Benz63amg]

I have a question, Just because i am now using the "Keep Originials" and "Most Compatible" Combination on my iPhone X, is my iPhone X not taking photos at their maximum quality? (Is the High Efficiency format required to be enabled in order to get the best quality?)

 

[jbizzybeetle]

I don't know for sure since I have macOS High Sierra which supports HEIF but there is a setting under Settings->Photos->Transfer to MAC or PC->Automatic which is suppose to convert JPG when transferring to a computer that doesn't support HEIF. I've never tested it however.

I wish it worked like that. But, then, who knows what “other” setting or update in IOS or High Sierra undid or compromised my intent.

All I do know is, my “efficient” X photos were viewing fine thru iCloud download to MBP until mid Feb. Then I started getting an ! inside a triangle when tried to open in Photos.

the pik is fine in the thumbnails, fine in the strip to the left for a day’s series, but try to open one with a doubleclick for larger view and after a split-second view up pops the triangle instead.

The problem is worse now, going back further date-wise in my photos on MBP after Apple support said increase iCloud storage, be sure selected iCloud uploads, photo stream, etc.

Time to reopen that Chat, I guess. Really close to the point of downloading all photos to my TB drive and selling the MBP.

Note: I had transfer set to Most Compatible and the problem began while that setting was in place.

UPDATE: Chat reopened 6 am Texas time and Apple rep (1 pm Irish time) said a problem in the iCloud needed to turn over to Apple engineers, resolve 6-48 hours. Perhaps his Irish engineers pick it up today or probably awaits USA awakening. Here’s hoping this works!

 

[Sheldonsmith]

I have my X set to most compatible while I wait for HEIC to be completely universal in the coming years.