RAW processing, batch noise reduction and normalize

[KPAH]

Hi everyone.
Please help me clearify the following issues.

1)
Image->Ajust->Normalize
Is that what is commonly called Exposure?
If not, how can I edit exposure?

2)
When I open my 24bit RAW, a mesagebox appears telling that the image whould be converted to 8bit per channel RGB.
Does that mean I'm not actually processing RAW, but some other image format?

3)
I've got a feeling that Image->Ajust->Normalize gives better results than batch processing several images with Normilize option. Is that true?

4)
Beside exposure, a big advantage of RAW is the possibility of powerful noise reduction on a computer.
How does XNview reduces noise? What happens when I put some *.raw in batch processing with Noise Reduction, then Normalize and output to JPG?

5)
How do I setup XNview to "recognize" RAW format of a particular camera and is that necessary?

Thanks in advance

[xnview]

Image->Ajust->Normalize
Is that what is commonly called Exposure?
If not, how can I edit exposure?

You means Exposure in photoshop?

When I open my 24bit RAW, a mesagebox appears telling that the image whould be converted to 8bit per channel RGB.
Does that mean I'm not actually processing RAW, but some other image format?

RAW are in 16bits per component, when you load it the component will be downscaled to 8bits

I've got a feeling that Image->Ajust->Normalize gives better results than batch processing several images with Normilize option. Is that true?

No it's the same

Beside exposure, a big advantage of RAW is the possibility of powerful noise reduction on a computer.
How does XNview reduces noise? What happens when I put some *.raw in batch processing with Noise Reduction, then Normalize and output to JPG?

There is no noise reduction on RAW

How do I setup XNview to "recognize" RAW format of a particular camera and is that necessary?

No special settings

[KPAH]

Thank you for the other answers. Does that mean XNView could not currently substitute a "proper" raw editor?

I didn't quite get the 8bit thing. My camera shots 24bit raw. That could be converted to RGB with 8bit per channel (R G B), that is 24bit (8x3).
Where does the 16 bit comes from?

Yes, exposure as in Photoshop or Bibble. How is that called in the XNview?

[KPAH]

I've got a feeling that Image->Ajust->Normalize gives better results than batch processing several images with Normilize option. Is that true?

No it's the same

Well, I've done an experiment.
Get a bunch of JPGS. Batch process them with NORMALIZE filter selected. My JPEGs compression option is set to 80.
After processing, the image is changed, but very slightly.
Then open one of the file, and press Image-Adjust-Normalize. The change is drastic. If you try to normalize it once again, the image doesn't change.



I uploaded all 3 images here:
http://depositfiles.com/files/7xeua48ck

[JohnFredC]

Hello KPAH!

Does that mean XNView could not currently substitute a "proper" raw editor?

XnView has some rudimentary image adjustment capability, but makes no claim to be a complete image workflow tool, and does not address raw image editing in the manner that Lightroom (for instance) or Bibble does. It is more of an image manager and jack-of-all-trades utility, IMO.

[KPAH]

Ok, I found the answer to the Normalize issue.
The Normalize in single image mode equals not to Normalize but rather to Normalize EX in Batch processing.