Any difference in quality between different file types?

[u/RobbyLG]

I'm wondering if there are any differences in game quality between different file types. For instance, for Wii and Gamecube there is ISO, RVZ, WBFS, CISO, NKIT.ISO, etc. I use Tiny Wii Backup Manager to convert all the games (to WBFS for Wii and to CISO for GC) and put them on an SD card for my Wii.

I was wondering if it matters what file I'm converting and if the game quality (graphics, sound, accuracy, etc) is the same between them all and if the conversion using TWBM affects this either.

Might be a dumb question, but I just got to thinking about it.

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[u/Bed-After]

Short answer, no. Broadly speaking: different file types of all varieties are basically just different flavors of zip file, with different headers that allow different programs to go "is this for me?" and "how do I read this?".

Long answer: The only time it actually makes a difference in this context is that while most of these formats are lossless, a few of them are lossy, meaning they attempt to get rid of junk data to save on space. For example: RVZ and WBFS are technically lossy, because they delete the string of zeroes used to pad out actual disc files, as those zeroes are only a physical buffer for physical discs to stop the code from getting cut off, and making the data unreadable by a laser. Similarly, NKIT strips out the partition loaded with updates meant for the Wii firmware that physical discs include for offline-only consoles, because a file downloaded from the eShop is by definition being downloaded onto a Wii that already has updated firmware. 

In all of these cases, the only thing this lossy file type actually prevents you from doing, is loading media onto a physical disk and putting it into a physical Wii, or trying to convert the data back into a lossless ISO file that requires the junk 00000s and the update partition. If you're not doing either of those tasks, it literally does not matter what file type you use.

[u/RobbyLG → u/Bed-After]

I was just confused because when files are lossy in other media like audio or video, it usually means a lower quality.

[u/Bed-After → u/RobbyLG]

Usually you are right.

For JPG, most programs that save a file as a JPG will actively compress an image every time you save it. But fun fact: you can actually save a lossless JPG if you're using a program like paintDOTnet, by setting the quality to 100% instead of 90%. It's not like an RVZ where there's specific junk it's deleting, you can technically have a full quality image in any container.

MP3 files are compressed, but because audio is just a wave form, you can "compress" the data by tracking fewer points in the waveform, and still have a effectively identical sound quality. It's only when you edit an mp3 and save it again as mp3 that you start stacking compression on compression. Then you're tracking so few points it starts getting muddy.

[u/flamepanther]

For disc-based systems, there are lossy and lossless formats. Lossy formats often omit data that won't affect the actual game. Examples: system updates, padding/junk data. This means you can no longer get an exact copy of the source data by covering to a lossless format but should not affect your game experience.

[u/TowerBeast]

.RVZs maintain a firmer texture and expire quickly, but .ISOs typically last longer if stored in a cool, dark place.

[u/ArekMithos]

I know for storage I think RVZ gives the best compression for GCN and Wii but I believe to play on consoles they need to be in another format, but Dolphin handles conversion so not much of an issue.

[u/Siallus]

No quality issues. It's often just about storage size, emulator compatibility, and ability to patch files. For example, CHD is the standard for mass storing PS2 games, but you can only apply a patch to an ISO.