[Reelyator]

From time to time i used to backup my Kodi Library using the export fuction under Settings->Media. This exports the Posters and Fanarts. I had to realize that Kodi seems to apply some EXTREME Compression on the exported pictures. This looks really bad, esp, nowadays with HD und UHD Displays.

For reference see some examples below. On the left the original poster lfrom TMDB, on the right the *-poster.jpg after exporting the Movie Library.


Could this compression come from a historical export setting is from a time when storage space was much more limited? Should this not be adjusted to better suite to the capabilities of current display resolutions??

[Karellen]

While the facility is available to export artwork, we never recommend doing so. Cached artwork is modified to ensure fast loading times, especially for artwork intensive views (think poster wall with 50+ posters)

If you want local artwork, then install Artwork Dump and have it download the original images. This assumes you have a correctly scraped library, and not nfo files from a media manager which strips out all artwork links.

[Reelyator]

Thank you for your quick feedback Karellen!

But may i ask: What is the reason for implementing a feature that you do not recommend??

Not sure in how far Artwork Dump can help me as usually i do not use the first artwork initially loaded by the scraper. Usually i adjust the artworks after initial scraping to my preferences. But maybe i simply do not fully get the features of this addon....

[Karellen]

But may i ask: What is the reason for implementing a feature that you do not recommend??

It may have had some uses a decade ago but now there are other ways to achieve the same, which result in better images. One of those ways is Artwork Dump.
We tend not to remove features from Kodi for a few reasons- 1. Some users may be satisfied, or have a legitimate use for it; 2. The spaghetti code makes it difficult to remove features, which usually results in unintended consequences; 3. Nobody has volunteered to make the change.

All Artwork Dump does is download the original artwork that is scraped. It does nothing else, unlike its predecessor Artwork Beef. Make sure you also set your Movie Information Folder.

[Reelyator]

...

All Artwork Dump does is download the original artwork that is scraped. It does nothing else, unlike its predecessor Artwork Beef. Make sure you also set your Movie Information Folder.

Thank you for letting me know, Karrellen!
Unfortunately in this constallation Artwork Dump does not work for me as in most cases i selcct another Poster+fanart than the originally scrape ones.

Stupid Question; Would it not be possible to simply remove the "compressing" part from the export module to arrange each poster and fanart is exported in the original resolution?
Pls bear with me, you might be able to guess from my unprofessional wording that i have no clue about programming something....

[Dumyat]

But may i ask: What is the reason for implementing a feature that you do not recommend??

We tend not to remove features from Kodi for a few reasons- 1. Some users may be satisfied, or have a legitimate use for it; 2. The spaghetti code makes it difficult to remove features, which usually results in unintended consequences; 3. Nobody has volunteered to make the change.

@Karellen 
Apologies for jumping in, but I wonder if it might be easier to remove this option from the Yes/No dialog when exporting video artwork, but have the same option on the video library section above the 'Export Library' heading as a radio button that is defaulted to 'Off'. The benefit of this, is the option would physically have to be switched 'On' for users who need it. There is also text help at the bottom of screen explaining the ramifications of enabling the option. Maybe even do the the same for the over wright previous NFO files option as well. 
What do you think? Is worth me asking as a feature request? I guess it would still require somebody to volunteer making such a change, but maybe it would be easier to implement, as the feature is not actually being removed, more like being relocated.
I would certainly volunteer to do the job, if I had the skills to do so...

[Karellen]

Unfortunately in this constallation Artwork Dump does not work for me as in most cases i selcct another Poster+fanart than the originally scrape ones.

Its best you report that in the Artwork Dump thread so the developer can check for the problem. Also provide a Debug Log which captures your workflow.

Would it not be possible to simply remove the "compressing" part from the export module to arrange each poster and fanart is exported in the original resolution?

It is not the export that compresses the image. The compression occurs during the scraping process before the image is saved to cache.
Removal of the feature requires changing the core code. It won't be changed as the artwork needs to be "normalised" so Kodi can display lots of images quickly. Imagine the Poster Wall view in some skins that display 50 posters on screen. These need to be loaded extremely quickly.

Is worth me asking as a feature request? I guess it would still require somebody to volunteer making such a change, but maybe it would be easier to implement, as the feature is not actually being removed, more like being relocated.

You could make a feature request, but I am pretty sure none of the developers would consider it. There are so many other bugs and features to be implemented they won't waste time on a change like this.

[Dumyat]

 

You could make a feature request, but I am pretty sure none of the developers would consider it. There are so many other bugs and features to be implemented they won't waste time on a change like this.

Nah, you're probably right....Like you said, bigger and more interesting things for developers to tackle.
I only took a personal interest in this thread and making the suggestion, as I had this exact same thing happen to me about 3-4 years ago. Took absolutely ages to fix all the custom artwork I had in my library. Pretty sure I wasn't the first to experience this happening and I'm pretty sure many more will come across the same thing in the future as well....