name=large
2048 x 1484
name=orig
4999 x 3622
Change the size value on the same image
A pbs.twimg.com media URL identifies an image separately from the post that contains it. Keep the media ID and format unchanged while comparing name=large with name=orig.
For the NASA moon-and-train photo, compare the large URL and orig URL. The same size parameter also appears in the query form shown below.
If the response is an error or an HTML page, record that result and return to the source post. Renaming the file extension does not convert its format.
Compare two responses for the same media ID.
All 16 results: seven larger, nine matched
The table keeps the post URL and media ID beside both measured files. “Larger” refers to width × height, not a score for visual quality.
The largest increase was 16.00 times the pixel count. Nine assets returned the same dimensions and byte counts at large and orig.
This NASA suit image returned 2048 × 1314 at large and 7783 × 4993 at orig. The same crop has more source pixels in the orig file.
| Sample | Media ID | name=large | name=orig | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASA status 2060452257406005586, image 1 | HJgyaEjXwAAcIAS | 2000 x 1882, 1,152,873 bytes URL | 2000 x 1882, 1,152,873 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2060023465210470621, image 1 | HJasZnzWwAId0bT | 2048 x 2048, 495,862 bytes URL | 2201 x 2201, 1,674,236 bytes URL | Orig bigger (1.15x pixels) |
| NASA status 2060023465210470621, image 2 | HJasaWRWgAQqT1M | 2048 x 1484, 342,945 bytes URL | 4999 x 3622, 2,158,729 bytes URL | Orig bigger (5.96x pixels) |
| NASA status 2060023465210470621, image 3 | HJasa3yXYAE4yRx | 1783 x 2048, 346,510 bytes URL | 2741 x 3149, 2,322,187 bytes URL | Orig bigger (2.36x pixels) |
| NASA status 2059393717111308634, image 1 | HJRvqM9XAAA6hJu | 2048 x 1314, 360,346 bytes URL | 7783 x 4993, 4,368,612 bytes URL | Orig bigger (14.44x pixels) |
| NASA status 2059361540826947808, image 1 | HJRR361WwAA3gah | 2000 x 1125, 249,608 bytes URL | 2000 x 1125, 249,608 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2059280471666671710, image 1 | HJQIrL-W4AECfth | 2048 x 1536, 876,140 bytes URL | 2048 x 1536, 876,140 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2057930920577913249, image 1 | HI89RCbXcAEMT7g | 1920 x 1280, 283,525 bytes URL | 1920 x 1280, 283,525 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2057583566033224072, image 1 | HI4BWWDWAAAsZ8v | 1920 x 878, 179,486 bytes URL | 1920 x 878, 179,486 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2057495565076664418, image 1 | HI2xTJCWUAAkejp | 2048 x 1365, 381,704 bytes URL | 8192 x 5461, 4,310,118 bytes URL | Orig bigger (16.00x pixels) |
| NASA status 2057465317916373326, image 1 | HI2VyxYXgAA8f97 | 2048 x 1403, 467,148 bytes URL | 6406 x 4387, 3,989,847 bytes URL | Orig bigger (9.78x pixels) |
| NASA status 2057195134630928749, image 1 | HIygD2lWkAAIz0w | 1600 x 1165, 27,091 bytes URL | 1600 x 1165, 27,091 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2057195134630928749, image 2 | HIygECGWsAEA9Z5 | 1547 x 1154, 391,963 bytes URL | 1547 x 1154, 391,963 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2057195134630928749, image 3 | HIygEWvXMAAtn3i | 1648 x 1200, 433,588 bytes URL | 1648 x 1200, 433,588 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2057195134630928749, image 4 | HIygElyXEAAVwW5 | 1280 x 1005, 146,971 bytes URL | 1280 x 1005, 146,971 bytes URL | Orig matched large |
| NASA status 2057163010460782722, image 1 | HIyC2nAX0AAaTFY | 2048 x 1152, 314,004 bytes URL | 3840 x 2160, 1,853,633 bytes URL | Orig bigger (3.52x pixels) |
What the comparison measured
The check started from public NASA posts with visible media URLs. For each of 16 assets, it kept the same media ID and requested small, medium, large and orig variants, recording HTTP status, content type, format, width, height and bytes. The results above compare large with orig.
The sample used one posting account. Its observations concern returned public CDN files, including cases where orig was unchanged. They do not identify the uploader’s untouched camera file.
Check the file you actually saved
Start from the image downloader when you have a post URL. It separates the photos and shows returned dimensions. Use the variant check when you have an exposed media URL and need to compare it.
- Keep the original post URL and identify the photo’s position in the set.
- Save the large response and inspect its width, height, bytes and actual format in your file viewer or image editor.
- Request orig for the same media ID and format. Save it separately and inspect the same fields.
- Compare dimensions first. If both files have the same dimensions, compare the byte counts and the image itself before keeping a second copy.
- Choose the file that supplies the detail you need, and keep the variant URL with your note.
Record the selected file once
For the moon-and-train example, a compact note would contain the NASA post URL, image 2, media ID HJasaWRWgAQqT1M, name=orig, JPEG, 4999 × 3622 and 2,158,729 bytes. Use the values returned by your own check when saving another image.
To keep several downloads identifiable in a folder, use the Tweet ID filename example. The filename records identity and order; this comparison records which file variant was saved.