Free webp to jpg
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Image MIME Reference
Harlequin-PGB

Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer

image/vnd.globalgraphics.pgb
VS

JPEG XS Image

image/jxs
JPEG-XS

A complete technical comparison of Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer and JPEG XS Image — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature Harlequin-PGB JPEG-XS
Transparency (Alpha) ✕ No Yes
Animation Support ✕ No Yes
Progressive Loading ✕ No ✕ No
HDR Support ✕ No Yes
EXIF Metadata ✕ No Yes
ICC Color Profile Yes Yes
Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer
image/vnd.globalgraphics.pgb
Extension
.pgb
Container Proprietary Harlequin Raster Container
Compression Uncompressed / Run-Length Encoding (RLE)
Algorithm
Proprietary RLENone
Color Depth 1-bit (Monochrome Separations), 8-bit (Grayscale), 8-bit/10-bit (Contone), CMYK / N-Color Spot Channels
Developed by Global Graphics Software (Hybrid Software Group)
Released 1990s
Magic Bytes
Unknown (Proprietary Harlequin Header)
Full Harlequin-PGB reference →
JPEG XS Image
image/jxs
Extension
.jxs
Container ISOBMFF (ISO/IEC 21122-3) or Raw Codestream
Compression Lossy (Visually Lossless) / Mathematically Lossless
Algorithm
JPEG XS (Low-complexity wavelet transform)
Color Depth 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit, 14-bit, 16-bit
Developed by Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) / intoPIX
Released 2019
Magic Bytes
FF 10 (Codestream) / XX XX XX XX 66 74 79 70 6A 78 73 20 (ISOBMFF)
Full JPEG-XS reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser Harlequin-PGB JPEG-XS
Chrome Chrome
✕ ✕
Firefox Firefox
✕ ✕
Safari Safari
✕ ✕
Edge Edge
✕ ✕
IE IE (Legacy)
✕ ✕
Harlequin-PGB

Harlequin-PGB Strengths

  • Unlike generic 1-bit TIFFs, PGB files inherently encapsulate vital print-job metadata within their headers (e.g., job name, page number, separation colors, screening angles)
  • Highly optimized for ultra-fast viewing and processing within professional printing workflows
Limitations
  • Completely proprietary and closed-source, locking its usage strictly to Harlequin-powered RIP environments
  • Zero support in standard desktop operating systems, web browsers, or consumer image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP
JPEG-XS

JPEG-XS Strengths

  • Provides sub-millisecond encoding/decoding latency, essential for live production and gaming
  • Extremely lightweight, requiring very little CPU, GPU, or FPGA memory to process
  • Replaces uncompressed video links (like SDI or HDMI) over standard Ethernet networks with visually lossless quality
Limitations
  • Compression ratios are typically much lower (between 2:1 and 10:1) compared to heavy codecs like HEVC or AV1
  • Zero support in web browsers or standard consumer devices
  • Primarily licensed to hardware manufacturers and professional software ecosystems

When to choose which format

Harlequin-PGB
Use Harlequin-PGB when…
  • Commercial Printing Output
  • Computer-to-Plate (CTP) Manufacturing
  • Prepress Soft Proofing (e.g., FirstPROOF)
  • Harlequin RIP Spooling Pipelines
JPEG-XS
Use JPEG-XS when…
  • Live Video Broadcasting (SMPTE ST 2110)
  • Video over IP Networks
  • Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
  • Automotive & Drone Cameras

More comparisons

Harlequin-PGB vs ACES → JPEG-XS vs ACES → Harlequin-PGB vs APNG → JPEG-XS vs APNG → Harlequin-PGB vs AVCI → JPEG-XS vs AVCI → Harlequin-PGB vs AVCS → JPEG-XS vs AVCS → Harlequin-PGB vs AVIF → JPEG-XS vs AVIF → All comparisons →
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