Drum scanning......

If your responsibility is the preservation by film scanning of an important film archive for posterity, you should bear in mind that any information not in the scan at the moment of scanning is lost forever! Sadly, many digital archives have been unknowingly compromised because this fact has been overlooked.

Drum scanning is the very best method to use to digitise film. Sadly, constant pressure to cut costs, means many scans have been made with CCD scanners, often by staff with non specialist skills. If you want scans retaining every detail the film holds, nothing less than the very best drum scans should be your aim.

Real drum scans come from scanners that use photo multiplier tube technology. Their many advantages include being able to record the film's information far more accurately than any CCD scanner is capable of. So called 'Virtual drum scanners' are simply CCD scanners with a 'misleading' marketing name.

Beware of drum scans made by firms serving the print industry; these usually have unacceptable limitations. Art gallery and museum professionals usually have higher expectations.

If you are interested in learning more about scanning, the next page provides additional insights into this important subject.

Please ring us to discuss how we can help with your film archive.