Need an easy explanation please *computer ??*

[DisMN]

Can anyone explain why a bitmap image takes so much longer to download/upload than a regular old JPG image?

What's the actual difference between bitmap and JPG?

 

[ErikdaRed]

Bitmaps aren't compressed, JPGs are.

 

[KathyTX]

The short answer is that jpg files are compressed, bitmaps are not.

(whoops! Not as fast as erik!)

 

[mtblujeans]

Should I say bitmaps are big and..... or have you gotten the bitmap picture??

 

[DisMN]

OK so when I send a bitmap picture to a friend does that mean the actual VIEW of the picture is gigantic or just that it's "files" or *whatever* are bigger? LOL LOL

These are the things that boggle this tiny mind of mine.

 

[mtblujeans]

It's size will be bigger. The quality will be better too. When sending pictures via email, it is better to send JPG just to look at it. However, you have to save a picture in bitmap form to use for desktop wallpaper (I don't know why technically).

 

[DisMN]

Cool beans and thanks so much for the easy-ish explanations.

I usually convert bitmaps to jpg before I email but I forgot to tonite....it took a LONG time to send the pictures out. LOL sheesh!!!

 

[mtblujeans]

Maybe made you wonder what was wrong with your computer???

 

[DisMN]

Naw...I knew it was the fact that I forgot to convert. LOL

It did prompt me to ask my question though.

 

[Amberle3]

I don't think that you do have to use a bmp file for the wallpaper anymore. I just checked on my system and it's showing jpg files as ones I can choose for the wallpaper. I didn't actually try to set it though, as I have webshots running my wallpaper (love how it changes every day) and that will definitely use jpg files.

I'm running Win98, if that makes any difference.

 

[mtblujeans]

Hmmm....I forgot, I am still in Windows 98. The rest of the world is XP. I mis-spoke! I can see where a program might allow something other than bitmap on a desktop.

 

[hulabird]

KathyTX

(whoops! Not as fast as erik!)

You know what this means....

YOU are a bitmap and Erik is a JPG


Sorry, it's past my bedtime!

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by hulabird
Sorry, it's past my bedtime!

 

[DisMN]

LOL LOL YOU GUYS!!! LOL


Nope. Don't have to use a bitmap for wallpaper anymore. It took some getting used to but I'm finally liking my XP.

 

[mtblujeans]

*Shudder, shudder* I have always HATED XP. My DS has it on his computer and when he first got it, I could not find my way around for anything. He would download something from the internet just to look at it and I could never find it to delete it when he was done. Some of that stuff is still in there to this day! I am just getting to find all the places the cookies are stored so I can delete those hidden monkeys once in awhile. I am getting older and that "don't bother me with new-fangled" attitude is kicking in!! Despite your question about bitmaps, I can guarantee you know more about computers than I do!!

 

[DisMN]

Know more about computers than YOU??? *snerk* Whatever gives you THAT idea?

Trust me, I know veddy veddy little about these contraptions. I just try to keep mine happy.......which I hope will keep the little bugger running a long long time. LOL

 

[mtblujeans]

I COMPLETELY understand. I often feel as tho' I have not sacrificed the proper quota of virgins on the mountain top to keep mine going the way it is supposed to!!

 

[DisMN]

Originally posted by mtblujeans
I COMPLETELY understand. I often feel as tho' I have not sacrificed the proper quota of virgins on the mountain top to keep mine going the way it is supposed to!!

Just ONE more virgin, I promise!!! LMAO!!!

 

[mtblujeans]

Yeah, but my computer keeps saying "just one more, I promise". *SIGH* Virgins are getting harder to come by!!

 

[klmklm]

Here is some more info on how the images are actually stored.
Bitmaps are stored one dot at a time; other formats use tricks to represent the information more efficiently. For example, if a picture has a big section of red, an uncompressed file would have to represent a row of that by (more or less) saying, red, red, red, red, red, red, etc., while a compressed file can say something (more or less) like, 27 reds.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/bit_map.html

http://www.weprintcolour.com/introtobitmaps.htm

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/compression-faq/part2/