By
·
2 minute read
Hey there, curious compression seekers! Today we're going to talk about the magic of digital compression when it comes to your online photo and video storage, along with the pros and cons.
So, what is compression, you ask? Well, it's a way to make your files smaller so they take up less space on your computer or phone. This is super helpful because it means you can store more stuff without running out of room. But there's a catch – when you compress something, you're also sacrificing a little bit of quality.
Let's take a photo, for example. A high resolution photo can be several megabytes in size, which can really add up if you have a lot of them. Compression algorithms work by removing some of the details in the photo that aren't as important to the human eye, like subtle color variations or tiny details. This can make the photo look a little bit fuzzier or less sharp, but it also makes it much smaller.
Video compression works in a similar way, but it's a little more complex. Video is made up of a series of frames that are played back quickly to create the illusion of motion. Each of those frames can be compressed individually, but there are also techniques that compress multiple frames together to save even more space.
But why do online photo storage companies need to use digital compression? It's simple, really. The more data they can squeeze into their servers, the more files they can store, and the faster they can deliver them to you. Plus, it saves them a ton of money on storage space and bandwidth. The tradeoff is, you give up image quality with certain kinds of compression.
For example, Google Photos uses a compression algorithm that automatically compresses photos and videos to a maximum resolution of 16 megapixels for photos and 1080p for videos. Any files that exceed these limits will be compressed further to fit within them. This can result in a noticeable loss of quality, particularly for high-resolution photos or 4K videos.
Similarly, Apple's iCloud Photo Library uses a compression algorithm that automatically compresses photos and videos to a maximum resolution of 2048 pixels for photos and 1080p for videos. Any files that exceed these limits will also be compressed further to fit within them.
Here's where things get interesting – not everyone is okay with sacrificing quality for space when it comes to photo storage. That's why Photobucket offers compression-free cloud storage for your photos and videos. We don't compress your files, so you get the full quality of your photos and videos. It's like saying, "Hey, we know how much your memories mean to you, and we're not going to compromise on quality." In fact, we have a little thing called a guarantee that proves just how serious we are about preserving the quality of your photos and videos.
If you’re okay uploading your memories to a backup cloud storage place and having them turned into mashed potatoes, then bring out the gravy. If you’d like to keep your photos and videos looking picture perfect years from now, sign up with Photobucket, the happy home of compression-free storage.
Happy snapping!
