# Need help with computer- picture formats **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 13, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-computer-picture-formats/506250 "2009-08-13T03:07:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-computer-picture-formats/506250/1 "2009-08-13T03:07:51Z")
Leaving the doctor, I requested a copy of the xrays that were taken. They gave me a CD, but now back at my PC, I can’t see them with any program - they don’t have any extension name, like jpg or bmp. In addition to the 3 pics, there is a small document, when I look at it with notepad, it is mostly gibberish except for my name, what was x-rayed, and this name: DCMTK media demo. I did a search and found it looks like some hospital-based program. How can I see or translate these pictures? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-computer-picture-formats/506250/2 "2009-08-13T03:12:19Z")
It’s probably in DICOM format: [http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/mkanell/](http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/mkanell/) ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-with-computer-picture-formats/506250/3 "2009-08-13T04:32:44Z")
Brilliant. Works like a charm. Many thanks!