FAX to PCD Converter

Transform fax documents to PCD format online free

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Format Migration

Migrate FAX files to PCD for better accessibility — modern viewers and editors handle PCD natively.

Any Device Works

Access the FAX to PCD converter from desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones — fully browser-based.

Data Protection

Your FAX files are removed immediately after processing. Converted PCD output is purged within 24 hours.

How to convert FAX to PCD

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose pcd or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your pcd file right afterwards

About formats

FAX is a generic image file extension associated with facsimile transmission formats standardized by the ITU-T (formerly CCITT), with the underlying Group 3 compression standard ratified in 1980. FAX files typically contain monochrome (1-bit, black and white) image data compressed using the Modified Huffman (MH) encoding defined in ITU-T Recommendation T.4, which assigns variable-length codes to run lengths of consecutive white or black pixels along each scanline. The standard resolution for Group 3 fax is 204x98 dpi (normal mode) or 204x196 dpi (fine mode), reflecting the capabilities of thermal and laser fax machines of the era. FAX files encountered digitally are often raw Group 3 encoded bitstreams or TIFF wrappers with CCITT Group 3 compression (TIFF compression tag 3). The Group 3 encoding scheme is highly efficient for typical business documents — pages with mostly white space and black text — achieving compression ratios of 10:1 to 20:1 compared to uncompressed bitmaps. One advantage is universal fax system compatibility: Group 3 encoding is the mandatory baseline for all fax machines worldwide, meaning FAX files contain data in exactly the format transmitted over telephone lines, preserving the original fax data without transcoding losses. The format's role in business communications history provides another dimension — billions of fax transmissions using this encoding moved legal documents, medical records, and business correspondence for decades, and archived FAX files represent an important documentary record. FAX images can be viewed and converted using LibreOffice, ImageMagick, GIMP, and standard document management systems.
Developer: ITU-T
Initial release: 1980
PCD (Photo CD) is a proprietary image format developed by Eastman Kodak in partnership with Philips, launched in 1992 as a system for transferring 35mm film photographs to compact discs for digital viewing and printing. Each PCD file stores a single photograph at five different resolutions in a hierarchical structure called an Image Pac: Base/16 (192x128), Base/4 (384x256), Base (768x512), 4Base (1536x1024), and 16Base (3072x2048), with optional 64Base (6144x4096) on Pro Photo CD discs. Images are stored in Kodak's proprietary YCC color space (a variant of CIE Lab via the Photo YCC color model), which captures a wider gamut than sRGB, at 8 bits per component in the luminance channel and subsampled chrominance. The multi-resolution pyramid is encoded using a progressive scheme: the Base image is stored directly, and each higher resolution is stored as a residual (difference) that refines the upscaled previous level, keeping the total file size manageable. One advantage is the exceptional scan quality: Photo CD scans were performed on Kodak's professional PIW (Photo Imaging Workstation) scanners by trained operators, producing consistently excellent results from 35mm negatives and slides — often better than what contemporary consumer flatbed scanners could achieve. The multi-resolution structure is another notable feature: a single PCD file serves needs from thumbnail browsing to high-resolution printing without separate file versions. PCD files can be read by Adobe Photoshop, ImageMagick, GIMP (via plugin), IrfanView, and XnView, ensuring continued access to the millions of Photo CD images created during the format's commercial peak in the 1990s.
Developer: Eastman Kodak
Initial release: 1992

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert FAX to PCD?

Digitizing fax files to PCD format enables easy viewing, sharing, and embedding across modern platforms.

What can open PCD format?

View PCD files with IrfanView, XnView, or Adobe Photoshop — all handle this format natively.

Does converting FAX degrade quality?

The PCD output faithfully reproduces all content from the FAX source — quality is not compromised.

Can I use this converter at no cost?

Free for regular use. Premium plans unlock faster conversion speeds and larger batch processing limits.

Is multi-file FAX conversion supported?

Yes, batch processing works. Upload as many FAX files as needed and each becomes a separate PCD output.

What platforms support this converter?

The converter works in any modern web browser — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. No installation required.