Out with the old, in with which new?
I recently received a press release from dotPhoto, a digital photography Web site, on the new 4xD digital photo print format, designed to address the disparity between the 3:2 aspect ratio of film with the 4:3 aspect ratio of most digital image sensors. Especially noticeable at the 4 x 6 print size where a digital image may be cut by as much as 11% to fit, the format would create a 4 x 5.33-in. print standard.
We all know that new technology pushes out old standards. But when there are multiple alternatives, how does one choose?
The format seems to be on its way toward adoption, as other online photography sites such as Club Photo (www.clubphoto.com) and Smugmug (www.smugmug.com) are already using it. However, it isn't all there yet, as other large sites�such as Kodak's Ofoto (www.ofoto.com)�are still not using it, and printers and paper sizes have yet to be introduced to support the proposed standard.
On a related hardware note, Kodak and Olympus recently created the Four-Thirds system, a proposed common standard for 4:3 aspect-ratio image sensors, to enable easier lens and body matching between manufacturers. As the system also proposes a standard for lens mounting, it remains to be seen how deeply it will be adopted by the camera industry, long used to having proprietary lens systems.
There have been many announcements recently by various companies, coalitions, industry groups, and special-interest organizations proposing new standards and formats to replace those that were once held by all (or most). As the above examples point out, this pressure is due not only to performance advances (such as the pressure on the television industry caused by HDTV), but also to simple incompatibilities at the most fundamental levels.
Decisions on new formats and device interfaces are not dictated only by the capabilities of the new technology, but also by factors such as customer acceptance and industry infrastructure requirements. For example, among the reasons a digital recording format like HD DVD can even be considered a next-generation replacement for current DVDs over the superior Blu-ray technology is the ease of implementation due to reduced transition cost and effort.
There has always been a need for increased industry cooperation, especially in the area of creating and enforcing device interoperability and format standards. It does the consumer no good to be presented with multiple incompatible formats, and it hurts the industry in the long run.
As design engineers, you are an important part of the process when it comes to new product development and the adoption of standards. Don't forget that the technologies you choose for your designs help influence the direction of the industry.
Alix L. Paultre, Executive Editor
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