A printer driver of a Non-PC controls to quantize image data at
quantization resolution (resolution 1), convert the quantized data into
data resolution (resolution 2), and then transfer the data of the data
resolution to an engine unit of an image output apparatus. The engine
unit converts the data resolution of the received data into recording
resolution (resolution 3) for a recording medium. Here, the quantization
resolution is set to be lower than the data resolution. Thus, processing
loads in the image processing unit can be reduced, whereby it is possible
to provide image output capable of maintaining image quality and speed
even under the circumstance that there is no sufficient memory and
high-speed CPU, and to provide image output capable of maintaining image
quality and speed according to a matrix recording method flexibly coping
with various environments and minimizing the load in the engine unit.