The High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIC) is a container format that can store images using the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard. HEIC offers several advantages, including better compression and support for advanced image features like high dynamic range (HDR) and alpha channels. However, web browsers' initial support for this format was limited, and users had to rely on third-party tools or plugins to view HEIC images in their web browsers. In this article, we will discuss the evolution of HEIC picture support in popular web browsers, including Firefox, VLC, and libmpv.
Firefox: HEIC Picture Support
Firefox, one of the most popular web browsers, initially did not support HEIC images natively. Users had to install add-ons or use third-party tools to view HEIC pictures in Firefox. However, in 2019, Mozilla announced that HEIC image decoding would be integrated into Firefox 71, allowing users to view HEIC images directly in the browser without any additional plugins or tools.
// Sample code to display a HEIC image in Firefox using HTML and CSS
VLC: HEIC Video and Image Support
VLC, a free and open-source multimedia player, has long supported various video and audio formats, including HEIC. However, it was initially designed for media playback and did not provide a web interface for viewing HEIC images directly. In 2018, the VLC development team announced that they had added support for HEIC images in the media player's web interface.
libmpv: HEIC Image and Video Support
libmpv is a free and open-source media player library that is used by various media players, including VLC and mpv. It supports a wide range of video and audio formats, including HEIC. In 2017, the libmpv development team added support for HEIC images and videos. This support was later integrated into media players that use libmpv, such as VLC and mpv.