Compression in TIF files: disk space vs. performance

[Andreas Neumann]

Hello list,

I have a question on compression in tiff files.

I read that for best mapserver performance it is recommended to store 
tiff files on the server in uncompressed format. We currently have a 
disk space problem and need to serve a large number of raster images. Is 
there any compression technique that allows to save diskspace while 
maintaining a reasonable or good performance? Or is compression not 
recommended at all?

Another question: we need to serve 1bit (b+w) rasterimages that are 
delivered as gray/rgb jpegs later because we want to use resampling. 
What is the best color depth to store the original images. I noticed 
that when keeping them in 1bit color depth one cannot create pyramids 
using gdaladdo. Is it better to store them in 1 bit with no pyramids or 
in 8bit gray value with pyramids?

Thank you for any help on my questions,

All the best,
Andreas

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Andreas Neumann
Institute of Cartography
ETH Zurich
Wolfgang-Paulistrasse 15
CH-8093  Zurich, Switzerland

Phone: ++41-44-633 3031, Fax: ++41-44-633 1153
e-mail: neumann at karto.baug.ethz.ch
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