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A fresh way to view your photos and slides. |
Quality counts. You would be surprised at how many consumer-oriented image conversion services use low-quality scan methods that cannot be used for any other purpose than to view on a TV. Standard TV resolution is only 72 pixels per inch (PPI). The minimum resolution for printing is 240 PPI, while an original slide resolution is the digital equivalent of over 4,000 PPI. Many conversion services offer scanning directly to DVD video. Clients don't realize that they have dropped from 4,000 PPI to 72 PPI and the image is good for ONLY watching on TV, but it is not archived properly. The proper method is to scan images with professional-level dedicated scanning devices to a file size and format that is appropriate for the required end-user needs. This also allows for much better color/exposure correction, image restoration capability and better quality when converting to future formats. For clients on a budget we offer real-time image enhancement, which is done automatically using special processing programs during the scan. This offers a significant improvement to the original image, without additional labor hours/project costs usually required when improving images by hand after the scan CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLES It's not just resolution that's important. When talking image scanning, most conversion companies and end-users compare by resolution. Resolution only determines the final image size. The true quality of the image is also determined by bit depth (the amount of color information in each pixel), density level (dynamic range or highlight/shadow detail that the scanner is capable of capturing) and the quality of the lens system used in the scanner. There is a large difference in capability between consumer-level and professional scanners. If a company is serious about quality scans, they should be able to quote you resolution, bit depth and density levels as well as confirm that their scanner is capable of professional/archival quality scans. Quality image conversion begins with a quality monitor. Simply put, you can't capture and adjust high quality images if you can't see what you're doing. Image work requires a very high-quality monitor. Most monitors only cover a portion of the color spectrum and cannot differentiate between subtle details. Our latest generation still-image monitor is self-calibrating, covers 98% of Adobe RGB colorspace and has both the resolution and contrast ratio's only found in monitors made for high-end still image work. Color Management, the key to tying it all together. Even with the best scanners and monitors available, image quality suffers without following proper calibration and color management practices. Surprisingly enough, these practices are rarely used, even by professional services. Simply put, color management involves calibrating all equipment used in the imaging/output process, with a set of image adjustment directions that are applied to each step. This insures that images converted to digital format, match as closely to the original image as possible. Capability At MTS, we have the capability to convert just about any image format: slides, photos, film strips, negative strips, and monochrome/color positive or negative transparencies up to 8"X10". We also offer different "tier" services depending on both client specifications and end-user needs. We archive images from all types of clients; from the average consumer to images from some of the best in-house photographers Kodak ever had. We also offer custom photo retouching and restoration services upon request. Media Transfer Service, LLC. Rochester, NY . Phone: 585-248-4908 . Email: mtsinfo@rochester.rr.com |