[Feature] Automated conversion to JPEG XL (jxl), using it as the main/default format to save storage space

[xplosionmind]

I have searched the existing feature requests, both open and closed, to make sure this is not a duplicate request.

• Yes

The feature

Since JPEG XL is the newest, most performant and most advanced image format so far, it’s able to compress images much more than other formats by preserving the same quality. Furthermore, images can be converted from “classic” JPEG in a loseless way.

It would be incredibly useful if users had the possibility of choosing to use JPEG XL as their main/default storage format, in order to save precious storage space. I think there are two non-exclusive approaches that could be adopted:

• Client-side: converting to JPEG XL while uploading the images, and avoid uploading the image in its original format, storing in the server only the converted JPEG XL (but with all the metadata preserved, of course).
• Server-side: if a user already has a vast image library in various formats, it would be wonderful if the server could be instructed to convert all the existing images, and have all images stored exclusively in JPEG XL. It would be particularly cool if the server could perform this task in a “smart” way, especially to avoid stressing the machine too much: when the server is stale, or it’s being used less than the average, Immich could autonomously convert some images and then pause the process if other processes with a higher priority are initiated, then get back to it when the machine is stale again.

Related issues

(Sorted by chronological order)

• feat: JPEG XL #2893
• [Feature] Automatic file format conversion #3996
• [Feature] Schedule time for jobs #5498
• [Feature] Convert or share preview images when sharing #6723

Resources and inspiration

• Nextcloud’s Automatic media conversion workflow
• Format: Automated conversion to JPEG XL (jxl), using it as the main/default format to save storage space photoprism/photoprism#5066

Platform

• Server
• Web
• Mobile

[bo0tzz]

#1202