When to Convert vs Compress Images in FastAPI Promo Video Pipelines

In B2B SaaS promo video pipelines, images pass through multiple services — uploaders, object stores, compositors, and export workers — making format compatibility a critical concern at each boundary. The core rule is straightforward: convert an image when a downstream consumer requires a different format, and compress only when all consumers already accept the existing format and payload size is the remaining problem. Compressing an incompatible file does not make it usable, so compatibility must be resolved before optimizing for size. Engineers are advised to test with representative inputs — including logos, UI text, and photographic backgrounds — rather than synthetic samples, since real workloads expose edge cases that polished screenshots do not. Retaining the original asset is recommended so that derivative decisions remain reversible as consumer requirements evolve.