- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Possibly 25 years ago, I wanted to experiment with a metal detector, and knowing absolutely nothing about them, ended up at my local Radio Shack.
You recall Radio Shacks.
All the bits and pieces of electronics one could desire, along with some interesting odds and ends. And when you brought your purchase to the register, they'd try to sell you a new telephone - or their phone plan.
Long story short, I ended up with some less than stellar unit, that was virtually ineffective at finding anything. By the time I knew that it really needed to be replaced, the inter web, or whatever it's called, had arrived. And I was able to find a review, which pronounced the unit the finest metal detector in existence for locating exposed manhole covers.
That about sums up the experience.
Keep that in mind because we'll come back to it.
The "Kodak" Film Digitizer is a lightweight, attractive unit via which one can digitize all of their 8mm and S8mm films. It works simply, with few controls, and overall does a very decent job of scanning.
Had whomever designed it (remember, Kodak has nothing to do with it except licensing their name, which was really dumb) didn't seem to understand that scanning is only a part of the problem.
Ever see a new 4k or Blu-ray disc emblazoned with the words "New 4k Scan of the Original Negative?"
And then the final disc looks like garbage?
That's pretty much what occurring here. There's a cute little screen for reference as the scans are being done, and the image appears to be something that will turn out well.
And then you play it back, and there is:
A. No critical focus;
B. Problematic shadow detail;
C. Pixelation and macro-blocking that could win awards.
Problem seems to be - and I spoke with a rep from Kodak, to whom I gave my condolences - that this is all post-processed automatically to a tiny MP4 file. And there is no way to adjust it, or set it up to output a larger file.
Everything (almost) about the unit is well thought out, except the final result.
In a word it's the finest 8/S8 film digitizer made, for locating exposed manhole cover.
It actually does have one use, and that is to create a quick and dirty reference of what's on the reels, but then again, one could use a lightbox.
If anyone is thinking of purchasing said unit, and there are also others like it, think twice, and then run. Unless, of course all you need is a quick and dirty reference. But if it's a "film-like" image that one is desiring... Nope.
RAH
You recall Radio Shacks.
All the bits and pieces of electronics one could desire, along with some interesting odds and ends. And when you brought your purchase to the register, they'd try to sell you a new telephone - or their phone plan.
Long story short, I ended up with some less than stellar unit, that was virtually ineffective at finding anything. By the time I knew that it really needed to be replaced, the inter web, or whatever it's called, had arrived. And I was able to find a review, which pronounced the unit the finest metal detector in existence for locating exposed manhole covers.
That about sums up the experience.
Keep that in mind because we'll come back to it.
The "Kodak" Film Digitizer is a lightweight, attractive unit via which one can digitize all of their 8mm and S8mm films. It works simply, with few controls, and overall does a very decent job of scanning.
Had whomever designed it (remember, Kodak has nothing to do with it except licensing their name, which was really dumb) didn't seem to understand that scanning is only a part of the problem.
Ever see a new 4k or Blu-ray disc emblazoned with the words "New 4k Scan of the Original Negative?"
And then the final disc looks like garbage?
That's pretty much what occurring here. There's a cute little screen for reference as the scans are being done, and the image appears to be something that will turn out well.
And then you play it back, and there is:
A. No critical focus;
B. Problematic shadow detail;
C. Pixelation and macro-blocking that could win awards.
Problem seems to be - and I spoke with a rep from Kodak, to whom I gave my condolences - that this is all post-processed automatically to a tiny MP4 file. And there is no way to adjust it, or set it up to output a larger file.
Everything (almost) about the unit is well thought out, except the final result.
In a word it's the finest 8/S8 film digitizer made, for locating exposed manhole cover.
It actually does have one use, and that is to create a quick and dirty reference of what's on the reels, but then again, one could use a lightbox.
If anyone is thinking of purchasing said unit, and there are also others like it, think twice, and then run. Unless, of course all you need is a quick and dirty reference. But if it's a "film-like" image that one is desiring... Nope.
RAH
Last edited:
