Microsoft Rallies Support For Longhorn Digital-Image PlatformMicrosoft Rallies Support For Longhorn Digital-Image Platform

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday launched an effort to rally industry support behind its platform for viewing and editing native images from digital cameras in the next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn.

The Redmond, Wash., software maker said it's currently working closely with a number of digital imaging companies, including Adobe Systems Inc., Canon Inc., Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. and Nikon Corp.

In addition, Microsoft said it would make available "soon" a viewer for Windows XP for so-called "raw" images, which are the proprietary formats used in digital cameras before the picture is converted to a standard JPEG file. Raw files contain the actual data produced by the photo sensors in a camera.

In traditional photography, a raw image would be equivalent to a photonegative. Camera buffs and professionals prefer to view and edit the raw image because it has more detail and accurate color than a converted file. High-end cameras, called digital SLR cameras, make raw images available to users, while lower-end cameras for consumers usually convert the pictures to JPEGs and only make that format available.

Microsoft said it's developing a Windows certification program for raw image codecs, which are the technologies used to store an image in an encoded form and then to decode the picture for viewing and editing. The certification is meant to avoid incompatibility problems.

"By working with industry leaders to extend support for the raw (image) in Windows, we are removing the obstacles for consumer use of raw and enabling a seamless platform for the next era of digital imaging innovation," Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of Windows Digital Medial at Microsoft, said in a statement.

Industry experts support the move, saying it was time camera manufacturers found a common ground on raw files.

"This is a great step in the right direction," Michelle Cowan, analyst for Current Analysis, said. "Ultimately, it's shortsighted for manufacturers to keep their raw files proprietary."

The effort also could have an impact on other camera manufacturers.

"If you have Canon, Fuji and Nikon, those three alone are going to really influence other manufacturers to think long and hard about making their files available to Microsoft," analyst Tim Gagnon, also of Current Analysis, said.

A raw image captured in a digital camera is processed on the PC, where the exposure and color can be adjusted in imaging software. Each camera model, however, introduces changes to the raw image file, which makes it difficult for software vendors to keep up.

To solve the problem, Microsoft, in conjunction with the above companies, is building a raw architecture in Longhorn that would establish consistent processing of the proprietary codecs. Hardware and software vendors would apply for certification that their products support the Longhorn platform.

In addition, Longhorn, which is scheduled for release next year, would contain an application programming interface that would give software vendors more control over the conversion of raw files to other formats.

For Windows XP, Microsoft plans to offer for free download software that would show thumbnail photos of raw images and view the full-size picture. The photos also would be printable through Internet Explorer. A future version of Microsoft's photo editing software, Digital Image Suite, is expected to support raw files.

Among the digital camera companies not included in the Microsoft announcement were Eastman Kodak Co. and Sony Corp. Both companies, however, are focused mostly on the low-end consumer market.

Kodak said its cameras don't make raw files available, but that could change in the future.

"We're actually speaking to Microsoft about this and other ongoing digital-imaging industry issues," Kodak spokesman Michael McDougall said.

Current Analysis, however, warned that consumers might find raw files more difficult to modify and send to other people, because they are substantially bigger in size than standard JPEGs. As a result, if vendors move in the direction of making raw files accessible to consumers, they will have to provide tools that make them easy to edit and view.

"Some consumers will find themselves floored when they take a look at a raw image," Gagnon said. "(Nevertheless), this could help drive the digital SLR market to consumers."