A film scanner scans originalfilm stock: negative or positive print or reversal/IP. Units may scangauges from 8 mm to 70 mm (8 mm, Super 8, 9.5 mm, 16 mm, Super 16, 35 mm, Super 35, 65 mm and 70 mm) with very high resolution scanning at2K,4K,8K, or16Kresolutions. (2K is approximately 2048×1080 pixels and 4K is approximately 4096×2160 pixels).[1]
Some models of film scanner areintermittent pull-down film scanners which scan each frame individually, locked down in apin-registeredfilm gate, taking roughly a second per frame.Continuous-scan film scanners, where the film frames are scanned as the film is continuously moved past the imaging pick up device, are typically evolved from earliertelecine mechanisms, and can act as such at lower resolutions.[1]
The scanner scans the film frames into a file sequence (using high-endcomputer data storage devices), whose single file contains a digital scan of each still frame; the preferredimage file format used as output are usuallyCineon,DPX orTIFF, because they can store color information asraw data, preserving the optical characteristics of the film stock. These systems take a lot ofstorage area network (SAN) disk space. The files can be played back one after each other on high-end workstationnon-linear editing system (NLE) or avirtual telecine systems. The playback is at the normal rate of 24 frames per second (or original projection frame rate of: 25, 30 or other speeds). Each yearhard disks get larger and are able to hold more hours of movies on SAN systems. The challenge is toarchive this massive amount of data on to data storage devices.[1]The scanned footage is edited and composited on work stations then mastered back on film, seefilm-out and digital intermediate. Scanned film frames may also be used indigitalfilm restoration. The film may also be projected directly on adigital projector in the theater. The data film files may be converted toSDTV (NTSC orPAL)videoTV systems.[1][2]Film recorders are the opposite of film scanners, copying content from a computer system onto film stock, for preservation or for display using film projectors.Telecines are similar to film scanners.
Alamp is used as the light source in aCCD imaging front end. The CCDs convert the light to the video signals.
In acathode-ray tube (CRT) imaging system the CRT (also called aFlying spot tube) is used as the light source and part of the scanning system. Photomultipliers oravalanche photodiodes are used to convert the light to electricalvideo signals.
The three color signals (RGB) areelectronically processed andcolor graded. A3D look up table (3D LUT) is usually applied to the RGB values before it is coded into theDPX output files.
Modern motion picture film scanners many have an option for aninfrared CCD channel for dirt mapping, that can be used to automatically or in post manually remove dirt-dust spots on the film. The IR camera channel can be used withIR dirt and scratch removal system or made output on a four IR channel for downstream dirt and dirt and scratch removal systems. Popular downstream dirt and dirt and scratch removal systems are PF Clean andDigital ICE.[3][4][5]
HDR orhigh dynamic range is a new system, using a compositing and tone-mapping of images to extend the dynamic range beyond the native capability of the capturing device. This may be done by using a triple exposure for the film and then compositing the three back together. Compositing can be done in a workstation in none real time or in the scanner inreal time.[6][7]
Cintel's C-Reality/DSX and ITK - Millennium/dataMill. Under ownership ofBlackmagic Design, theCintel Scanner was released, with the current 3rd generation capable of up to 4K scans at 30 fps.[11]
MWA Nova Vario series with patented laser-based, sprocket and claw free transport for 16/35mm for realtime (24/25fps) scanning with sensors for either 2K+ 2236 x 1752, or 2.5K+ HDR High Dynamic Range at 2560 x 2160, direct optical and magnetic sound on and 16 and 35mm.
MWA Nova Choice 2K+ patented laser-based, sprocket and claw free transport for 8/Super8, 9.5mm, 16mm realtime (24/25fps) scanning w at 2K+, 2236 x 1752 with direct optical and magnetic sound on 16mm, magnetic from main and balance stripes on 8, Super8. Faster than real time scanning at lower resolution.
P+S Technik - SteadyFrame Universal Format Film Scanner
^"Compositing Multiple Pictures of the Same Scene", by Steve Mann, in IS&T's 46th Annual Conference, Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 9–14, 1993
^Reinhard, Erik; Ward, Greg; Pattanaik, Sumanta; Debevec, Paul (2005).High dynamic range imaging: acquisition, display, and image-based lighting. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Morgan Kaufmann. p. 7.ISBN978-0-12-585263-0.Images that store a depiction of the scene in a range of intensities commensurate with the scene are what we call HDR, or "radiance maps". On the other hand, we call images suitable for display with current display technology LDR.
