Uncompressed

Referring to data or files that have not undergone compression, meaning they retain their original size and format without any reduction in storage space or file size. This lack of compression allows for direct access and manipulation of the data without requiring any decompression process. uncompressed files typically have faster read/write speeds but require significantly more storage capacity compared to their compressed counterparts. The term can also describe physical materials that are not pressed or compacted.

Uncompressed meaning with examples

• When archiving audio recordings for archival purposes, many sound engineers prefer using uncompressed WAV files. Although they occupy a large amount of storage space, this format preserves the original sound quality without any data loss or artifacts. The ease of access and lack of processing is preferred over compressed formats like MP3 which will sacrifice some sound quality.
• During video editing, it's often crucial to work with uncompressed video footage initially. This ensures that every frame is available without any quality loss. The uncompressed data allows for precise editing, color correction, and special effects without compression artifacts that would impact the final output.
• Medical imaging equipment produces vast amounts of data, often stored in an uncompressed format like DICOM. This preserves all details for diagnostic accuracy, allowing doctors to examine any part of the image with no loss. The substantial storage requirements are a necessary trade-off for optimal detail when making important medical assessments.
• A digital photograph, captured in RAW format, represents an uncompressed state of data, holding all the captured pixel information from the camera sensor. This offers maximum flexibility during the post-processing stage. Users can make adjustments to settings like exposure, white balance, and color without introducing image degradation.