Free webp to jpg
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Image MIME Reference
Harlequin-PGB

Global Graphics Page Graphics Buffer

image/vnd.globalgraphics.pgb
VS

Network FlashPix

image/vnd.net-fpx
Net-FPX

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

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature Harlequin-PGB Net-FPX
Transparency (Alpha) ✕ No Yes
Animation Support ✕ No ✕ No
Progressive Loading ✕ No Yes
HDR Support ✕ No ✕ No
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 →
Network FlashPix
image/vnd.net-fpx
Extension
.fpx
Container Microsoft OLE Structured Storage (COM)
Compression JPEG (Lossy) / Uncompressed / Single-color (Solid)
Algorithm
JPEGNone
Color Depth 8-bit (Grayscale/Indexed), 24-bit (RGB), 32-bit (CMYK/RGBA)
Developed by Digital Imaging Group (Kodak, HP, Live Picture, Microsoft)
Released 1996
Magic Bytes
D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1
Full Net-FPX reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser Harlequin-PGB Net-FPX
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
Net-FPX

Net-FPX Strengths

  • Revolutionized web imaging in the late 1990s by proving that massive gigapixel images could be navigated seamlessly over 56k dial-up modems
  • Pioneered the tile-based, multi-resolution pyramid concepts that eventually evolved into modern standards like IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework)
Limitations
  • Completely obsolete, having been replaced by standard JPEG servers and modern tiling formats like Deep Zoom or JPEG 2000/XR
  • Relied on proprietary Java applets or ActiveX controls to render the tiles dynamically in a web browser
  • Extremely complex to parse server-side due to the heavy OLE filesystem container

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
Net-FPX
Use Net-FPX when…
  • Historical Internet Imaging Protocol (IIP) Streaming
  • Early E-Commerce Deep Zoom Implementations
  • Legacy High-Resolution Image Servers

More comparisons

Harlequin-PGB vs ACES → Net-FPX vs ACES → Harlequin-PGB vs APNG → Net-FPX vs APNG → Harlequin-PGB vs AVCI → Net-FPX vs AVCI → Harlequin-PGB vs AVCS → Net-FPX vs AVCS → Harlequin-PGB vs AVIF → Net-FPX vs AVIF → All comparisons →
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