Regarding RAW & converters

[collin . x . brenemuehl]

RAW
Is it truely raw sensor data or is it an encapsulated TIFF or other
uncompressed format?

Converters
1.  Are they free or do they cost?
2.  Are they components of other applications or stand-alone apps?

The more info the better.

TIA,

Collin
KC8TKA