Questions about iCloud Photos and HEIC

[no0nefamous]

I'm confused about how iCloud Photos handles HEIC and HEVC files.

I use High Efficiency on my iPhone's photo settings. However, on my Mac, if you attempt to export any photo or video from your iCloud photo library (like say, to the desktop) it converts it to a .JPG or .MOV and does not give the option to leave it as HEIC/HEVC.

If MacOS can natively read HEIC and HEVC files, why does it automatically convert them? Also, regarding the images, is there any loss in quality in the conversion from HEIC to JPG? Video files do seem to suffer loss in quality in the conversion as HDR attributes seem to be removed.

My final question is: in iOS Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC, you can choose Automatic or Keep Originals. If Keep Originals is selected and you connect to a PC, the files show up as HEIC. However, if you disconnect, change the setting to "Automatic", and reconnect, the files are instantly all displayed as JPG. How is it able to convert them all instantly?

 

[maternidad]

How is it able to convert them all instantly?

My guess is that it’s lying, and that it converts them only once they’re opened or copied!

 

[BigBlur]

You have to use the 'Export Unmodified Original' menu option if you want the HEIC file. If a photo has been edited, then you can only export as JPG (or the original HEIC file).

HEVC is a codec, not an extension/file type. .MOV sounds correct, you can check to see if it's using the HEVC codec in Get Info.

 

[cthompson94]

I think* I only know the answer to the first question Like BigBlur just posted you need to specify that you want the 'Unmodified Original' I assume this is likely part of ease-of-use for the everyday consumer wanting to export their photos. Since not everything accepts the HEIC format if it stayed the default when exporting there would probably be tons of complaints about images not uploading and others issues that aren't really there and that they would just need to specify which file format is needed on export.

So basically I just think the decision of the default export being JPG is to be more user friendly.

 

[no0nefamous]

Thanks guys! So then there probably isn't really much image quality lost in the conversion from HEIC to JPG? Especially not if it can alter them back and forth instantly based on "Automatic" or "Keep Originals" setting.

 

[cthompson94]

There is actually a quality loss going from HEIC to JPG, but you have to remember when these formats came out. HEIC is much newer and so compression ability far better. Here is a little info from Adobe, "When it comes to both compression and image quality, HEIC files win out over JPEG. The HEIC format can actually enhance the quality of photos with transparency and a broader dynamic range capabilities."

Basically if you are able to upload or use an HEIC image this would be preferred , the only problem is even though Apple started using this format back in 2017 it still isn't basically isn't a standard. This is basically the sole "downside" if you will with HEIC as everything else is better like lower file size, better quality retention, better dynamic range ability.

Adobe has a lot more info if you would like to check it out Link

 

[iStorm]

My final question is: in iOS Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC, you can choose Automatic or Keep Originals. If Keep Originals is selected and you connect to a PC, the files show up as HEIC. However, if you disconnect, change the setting to "Automatic", and reconnect, the files are instantly all displayed as JPG. How is it able to convert them all instantly?

This setting doesn't convert the photos stored on the iPhone itself. The photos are essentially stored in a database in whatever format they were taken/saved in. They are not stored as individual files like you'd see on memory cards or a computer. If "Keep Originals" is selected, the iPhone will expose/present the photos in their original format. If "Automatic" is chosen, then the iPhone will present the photos as files that the other device will understand...it may be the original, or it may be a JPG. Basically, the interface between the iPhone storage and device will convert them on the fly as they are being read/transferred.

 

[no0nefamous]

This setting doesn't convert the photos stored on the iPhone itself. The photos are essentially stored in a database in whatever format they were taken/saved in. They are not stored as individual files like you'd see on memory cards or a computer. If "Keep Originals" is selected, the iPhone will expose/present the photos in their original format. If "Automatic" is chosen, then the iPhone will preset the photos as files that the other device will understand...it may be the original, or it may be a JPG. Basically, the interface between the iPhone storage and device will convert them on the fly as they are being read/transferred.

That makes sense, but how come they also increase in file size when being presented as JPG files? For instance, the same image that's about 4 MB as an HEIC image file turns into nearly 8 MB as a .JPG. Is it just different methods of "arranging" the same compressed data?

 

[iStorm]

That makes sense, but how come they also increase in file size when being presented as JPG files? For instance, the same image that's about 4 MB as an HEIC image file turns into nearly 8 MB as a .JPG. Is it just different methods of "arranging" the same compressed data?

Correct. HEIC is more efficient at compressing the images.

 

[no0nefamous]

Thank you for your input, everyone! This cleared up a lot for me.