Comixology now allows DRM-free comics

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

I could probably automate it with Automator on my Mac. I'll look into it. I just want to shave a few 100 pixels off.

...

At 828x1273 it's only 432KB, compared to the original 1.4MB.

This shouldn't be a problem I don't think? The text and graphics look fine at this size. I would keep my originals of course, and just have these smaller versions for the iPad.

Yes, that would be fine if you are not interested in occasionally zooming in. Just make sure you don't chose too low quality setting for jpeg to save even more space. I personally would not go below 80% - preferably at least 90. Especially text does not do well at very low settings - jpeg is not designed for high compression contrasty edges.

[Kirtai]

I've just bought more comics today from them than I have done in the last 2.5 years, just because of this announcement.

I'd be very interested in seeing what their sales are like recently.

[Jessica Lares]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Yes, that would be fine if you are not interested in occasionally zooming in. Just make sure you don't chose too low quality setting for jpeg to save even more space. I personally would not go below 80% - preferably at least 90. Especially text does not do well at very low settings - jpeg is not designed for high compression contrasty edges.

I was going to do maximum quality.

I'll report back once I get the script going. Just estimating it, it will take my collection from 8GB to about 3GB if successful. But heck, I'd be happy to have it at 5GB.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

I was going to do maximum quality.

I'll report back once I get the script going. Just estimating it, it will take my collection from 8GB to about 3GB if successful. But heck, I'd be happy to have it at 5GB.

I wasn't sure what your idea of too big was. It is a good idea to consider maximum quality for graphic novels if minimum filesize is not top priority.

For photographs compressing in jpeg is a lot more forgiving. The last time I had a photograph printed out at 24x36 inches, the jpeg I took to the store was at about the middle of the quality setting. The 24mp image had a file size of approximately 4mb that way. Beautiful printout without visible jpeg artefacts - even though they can be seen on my computer screen when zoomed in to 100%.

[Jessica Lares]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

I wasn't sure what your idea of too big was. It is a good idea to consider maximum quality for graphic novels if minimum filesize is not top priority.

For photographs compressing in jpeg is a lot more forgiving. The last time I had a photograph printed out at 24x36 inches, the jpeg I took to the store was at about the middle of the quality setting. The 24mp image had a file size of approximately 4mb that way. Beautiful printout without visible jpeg artefacts - even though they can be seen on my computer screen when zoomed in to 100%.

My photography teacher always told us to make sure those settings were always at max. It's problematic later on.

24x36 is a smaller space than that 24MP picture apparently, at least at 300DPI it is, probably why you didn't see any artifacts.

I just want some space left on my iPad. I have the 16GB model, and I use space hungry apps. If the screen size was acceptable on the iPod, I could see having them there since I have a 64GB model, but that will probably have to wait until the bigger screen models show up, if they ever do.

I wonder if I should just go the PDF route instead? Then I could pull them up in the majority of online storage apps.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

My photography teacher always told us to make sure those settings were always at max. It's problematic later on.

24x36 is a smaller space than that 24MP picture apparently, at least at 300DPI it is, probably why you didn't see any artifacts.

Not to stray too far off-topic, but the file is 6000x4000 - at the size I had it printed it equaled about 167 dpi. That is more than plenty considering regular viewing distance. And even so, I still can't see the artefacts with a magnifying glass.

If I wanted to get 300dpi, I would have been limited to a maximum print size of 12x18. Thinking that you NEED a 24mp camera for that size is truly overkill. Otherwise the megapixel war would still be ongoing ...

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Jessica Lares

I wonder if I should just go the PDF route instead? Then I could pull them up in the majority of online storage apps.

The online storage apps don't support arbitary file extensions?

Can't you just store them online and manually copy them over to read?

Not sure how easy that might be on the iOS/Mac side, but what I do is keep all my content on my Cloud-enabled external drive (it's a baby NAS, 3TB) and I either mount the drive if the app is network aware or manually copy them with the file manager is it isn't.

[RHWright]

I know Marvel & DC are unlikely to jump on, but one can hope.

Dare I say it, I might even be willing to pay slightly more for a non-DRM version. Something that reasonably covers the "losses" to piracy. (As if there are not plenty of pirate comic sites available, if that is your inclination.) Even if they say "we lose ~25% of sales to piracy." Charge me an extra 25% for DRM-free. On a $1.99 back issue, that's 50 cents. Well worth it to have convenient back ups. Of course, that percentage adds up on new comics or collections, but still, I think, a reasonable compromise.

Personally, I think everything should be DRM free, with ways embedded in the file to track when piracy occurs. It is insulting to be treated like I will pirate something I buy if they don't lock it down on me. My momma taught me better than that.

What about it Big 2? Ready to trust your customers and treat them like responsible adults instead of criminals?

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by RHWright

Personally, I think everything should be DRM free, with ways embedded in the file to track when piracy occurs. It is insulting to be treated like I will pirate something I buy if they don't lock it down on me. My momma taught me better than that.

Embedding mechanisms into the file to track when piracy occurs IS a form of DRM. Careful what you ask for: let a friend borrow a book by giving him a copy, you do the right thing and not read it yourself while your friend has it, but he turns around and puts it on a pirate site. It will be easily tracked back to you - your friend might not even have known since you told him it is "DRM free".

[Stephen OConnell]

Personally, I think everything should be DRM free, with ways embedded in the file to track when piracy occurs. It is insulting to be treated like I will pirate something I buy if they don't lock it down on me.

Indeed. I would prefer a DRM free world too: and yes I would pay a bit extra to have that freedom with my purchases.

Can't ever see Marvel/DC going down the DRM free route, but it's something that I would applaud them for if they did... and back it up by spending a bit more money on their products.

[hardcastle]

I'm not a comics guy, but this is nothing but good news.

[taosaur]

It looks like most of my comics are available for download. I'll still need the unofficial Chrome plug-in for a few titles, but this is a great step in the right direction.

[RZetlin]

How can you tell if the publisher is offering their titles as a download?

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by RZetlin

How can you tell if the publisher is offering their titles as a download?

Example...

Look at Saga #1
https://www.comixology.com/Saga-1/digital-comic/22207

You'll see three icons below the blurb. The first is an age rating, the second says it's available in "HD", and the third shows it's available for DRM-free backup.