Converting DjVu Files to PDF: A Comprehensive Guide

The DjVu format has been around for quite some time, with its first versions dating back to the late 1990s. Since then, it has undergone significant changes, with various revisions to its file format specification. In this article, we will explore the evolution of DjVu and how it compares to PDF, another popular file format.

Early Development

DjVu was originally developed by Yann LeCun, Léon Bottou, Patrick Haffner, and Paul G. Howard at AT&T Labs from 1996 to 2001. The technology was designed primarily for storing scanned documents, especially those containing a combination of text, line drawings, indexed color images, and photographs.

Version History

Over the years, DjVu has undergone several revisions. Version 23 and 24 were made obsolete due to changes made in subsequent versions. Support for DjVu bookmarks (outlines) was added in later versions. The most recent version of the specification was released in 2005.

One of the key features that set DjVu apart from PDF is its ability to compress files more effectively, especially when it comes to scanned documents. DjVu uses technologies such as image layer separation of text and background/images, progressive loading, arithmetic coding, and lossy compression for bitonal (monochrome) images.

Conversion to PDF

So, how do you convert your DjVu files to PDF? The good news is that there are several tools available that can help you achieve this. Some popular options include Okular, Evince, Zathura, SumatraPDF, and Document Viewer.

Advantages of DjVu over PDF

Prior to the standardization of PDF in 2008, DjVu was considered superior due to its open file format. In contrast, PDF was proprietary at the time. Additionally, DjVu has been promoted as providing smaller files than PDF for most scanned documents.

In conclusion, DjVu is a computer file format designed primarily to store scanned documents. While it may not be as widely used as PDF, it has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. By understanding how to convert your DjVu files to PDF and taking advantage of the various tools available, you can easily share and access your documents across different platforms.

Djvu format to pdf