[IPOL discuss] 16 bits images

[Miguel Colom]

Dear all,
currently the IPOL conversion mechanism is converting the input images to
8 bits before processing them with the algorithms.

Unfortunately, some applications (like noise estimation or denoising,
among others) need almost noise-free images as their input.

When encoded with the PNG format, a quantification error is added, and it
interferes with the noise in the image.

This quantification error can't be avoided, but it can be minimized is the
images are encoded with 16 bits instead of 8 bits.

My opinion is that IPOL should implement the 16 bits conversion as soon as
possible, because the quantification error in the input images is too high
for many applications.

At least, for noise estimation/denoising, it's a requeriment.

Best,
Miguel