PVR Encoder/Decoder
PowerVR Texture Format
PVR is PowerVR's native texture container format, supporting multiple compression algorithms including PVRTC, ETC, ASTC, and high-precision uncompressed formats. Optimized for iOS and cross-platform mobile development.
About PVR Format
PVR (PowerVR Texture) is Imagination Technologies' native texture format for PowerVR GPUs. Version 3 provides a flexible container supporting multiple compression formats, making it ideal for cross-platform mobile development with format flexibility.
Multi-Format Support
Single container supports PVRTC, ETC, ASTC, and uncompressed formats
Flexible Architecture
Choose optimal compression for each texture based on platform and quality requirements
PowerVR Native
Optimized for PowerVR GPUs found in iOS devices and many Android phones
Technical Specifications
File Structure (Version 3)
PVR v3 files consist of:
- Header (52 bytes) - Version, format, dimensions, and metadata size
- Metadata (variable) - Optional metadata and texture properties
- Texture Data (variable) - Compressed or uncompressed texture data
Supported Compression Formats
PVR containers can store multiple compression types:
- PVRTC: 2bpp/4bpp RGB/RGBA compression (iOS optimized)
- ETC: ETC1, ETC2 RGB/RGBA, EAC R11/RG11
- ASTC: All block sizes from 4x4 to 12x12
- Uncompressed: R8-RGBA32F including HDR formats
Format Considerations
- PVRTC requires square, power-of-2 dimensions
- Container overhead is minimal (52-byte header)
- Requires WebAssembly for in-browser processing
Common Use Cases
iOS Development
Native format for iOS games and applications using PVRTC compression
Cross-Platform Mobile
Use ETC/ASTC in PVR containers for Android and iOS with single pipeline
Format Testing
Test different compression formats in one container to optimize quality/size
Asset Archiving
Store high-precision uncompressed textures with HDR support
Format Comparison
| Feature | PVR | KTX2 | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression Format Support | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent | ○ pvrHub.comparison.values.limited |
| iOS Optimized | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Mipmap Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Typical File Size | Medium | Medium | Small |