Ultech Corporation DV2000 User Manual page 33

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5. Files
PNG
PNG, pronounced "ping", is the format recommended by ULTECH for use with the
DV2000. PNG files are compressed, so they require less disk space than the other formats.
Plus, PNG offers a full alpha channel. Unlike 32 bit BMP, PNG files are handled by Adobe
Photoshop, a leading graphics creation and editing program for the Mac and PC. Use the file
converter "PNG.EXE" to convert PNG files to ULTECH's "YC" format. ULTECH's con-
verter supports true color + alpha (type 6) PNG files (RGB + alpha).
TIFF
The TIFF format is important as one of its variants seems to be the format of choice for
DVD subtitles. The ULTECH TIFF converter handles non-compressed 256 color "color
map" type TIFF files in single or multiple strips. Like PCX, TIFF does not support alpha, so
the converter considers the first entry in the color palette to be the transparent "color"; all
other entrees in the palette are opaque colors. Use the file converter "TIFF.EXE" to convert
these files to "YC" format.
DVD TIFF files come in two formats: full size and cropped. A full size TIFF file occupies
the entire 720 x 480 pixel plane, regardless of how big the actual subtitle is. A cropped TIFF
file is just large enough to hold the subtitle image. For example, a cropped TIFF file may be
260 pixels wide by 80 pixels high. Full size TIFF files are normally very wasteful of disk
space, and may require more time to transmit, load, and render on screen. Because of this,
ULTECH has created a compressed version of the "YC" format that drastically reduces file
size and load time. This format has the extension "UYC". Use the file converter
"Tiff2UYC.EXE" to convert files to compressed "UYC" format.
YC File Viewer
ULTECH provides a utility program that enables you to view YC graphics files on a PC.
This allows users and software developers to inspect files without the need for DV2000
hardware. The program is called "ViewYC.exe" and runs under Microsoft Windows.
ViewYC lets you view foreground RGB colors independently from the alpha channel.
Likewise, there is a viewer called ViewUYC.exe that lets you view compressed UYC files.