Tag: generation imaging

January 21, 2021

How Do You Scan 16mm Roll Film?

16mm roll film (also called microfilm) can be read under a microfilm viewer. However if you want a copy of the actual documents contained on the film, they have to be digitized. 16mm roll film can be scanned using a reader printer- which is usually performed one image a time and every time consuming. The quicker way is to use a roll film scanner. Microfilm scanners are a product in which the cost is in proportion to the quality of its output. In other words, if you buy an “affordable” scanner ($10,000 USD) the speed and quality can’t match a high end model ($50,000+). There are used microfilm scanners on the market, but they rarely come with a warranty. And like printers, scanners have shelf lives.

The old way- using a reader printer.

The solution Generation Imaging offers is a roll film scanning service. For pennies or a fraction of a penny, depending on the microfilm type, volume, and format, we can convert your 16mm roll film to PDF, TIF, or JPG files. The speed and quality are top notch because NextScan roll film scanners are used.

The thing you have to realize how microfilm scanning is that it is a specialized technology. It’s not plug and play, nor is it an off the shelf solution if you are a newbie. If you work for a company, organization, government agency, or are an independent researcher, nine times out of ten it is more cost effective and less of a headache just to send Generation Images your 16mm roll film to get if converted to digital images.

Once you have the images, you can upload them to your PC, server, make backups, or import them into your imaging software.

September 18, 2018

Generation Imaging’s Microfilm Scanning Services

Generation Imaging is your one-stop microfilm scanning service company which can convert all types of roll film. Here is a list of the different types of roll film scanning services we offer:

16mm Microfilm Scanning

The most common type of 16mm rolls have around 1800-2400 images contained on a spool of film. However, some reels contain duplex images, are on thin film, or have odd images. Some rare ones even wrap around in a serpentine order (duo roll film). With that said, a 16mm roll of film could contain anywhere from a handful to 20,000 images (sometimes front and back, other times very small checks, receipts, or index cards to have such a large number.)

35mm Microfilm Scanning

35mm reels contain wider images- usually drawings, blueprints, charts, newspapers, and maps, but also journals, registers, Official Recorder (County) records. They usually have around 350-600 frames on them, however they could also fit 1000-1200 images at times.

Other Microfilm Digitization Services

Generation Imaging offers standard shipping services (USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex) and secure packing methods for your microfilm. Before the microfilm is digitized, we will check the microfilm status and determine if the film has any abnormalities like microfilm vinegar syndrome.

We can name rolls by their labels and roll match to databases if you have one. Additional services include indexing at the image level, OCR to create searchable PDFs, creating a spreadsheet or text file, cropping, rotating, and deskewing. Don’t worry about negative or positive polarities: we invert from negative to positive.

File formats include PDF, PDF/A, JPEG, TIFF, and other types.

Please contact us for a free estimate with no pushy sales tactics or selling your personal info. All work is performed in the United States of America.

January 3, 2018

Generation Imaging’s Microfilm Scanning Workflow

Microfilm Scanning Steps

Generation Imaging has years of experience handling microfilm scanning projects. Here is a brief outline of our microfilm scanning workflow process.

-Gather Information: We will confirm the client’s requirements (DPI, file format, naming structure, delivery media, shipping, price, etc.) Suggestion: A greyscale PDF would probably eliminate the need to worry about poor quality documents. If the film is good, a bi-tonal tiff will do fine.
-Location: Generation Imaging will perform the microfilm conversion at our Florida office. There will be no subcontracting.
-Receive the microfilm. Either ship or drop off the microfilm to our office.
-Scan and name the microfilm by roll number.
-Quality Control, where we verify the project was scanned correctly.
-Creating an index is an optional step if the client needs images to be named by fields.
-Perform a Final QC Check so verify that the images were indexed correctly.
-Upload the completed images to an external hard drive, USB, burn to DVDs, or transfer via filesharing.
-Return the media via shipping company or pickup.

Utilizing high production/high quality scanners, Generation Imaging will convert the microfiilm to digital images in sequence order and name them by the roll labels. Each roll be checked to guarantee all images are captured using Nextscan’s Auditor software. Basically, a ribbon is created which contains a snapshot of the entire microfilm in a image. The experienced operator will then verify the frames detected and separated properly- and if they did not- the operator will manually select them. This guarantees no missing or duplicated images.

Regarding optional indexing: Generation Imaging can index specific fields from the images, if required. We can go over the specific details during the initial test.
The roll film will remain in our custody at all times. At no time will the microfilm be unattended during transport. We have a secured storage location area within their facility where the film will be stored when not being processed. Our office has an alarm system, password to enter the office, and video surveillance.

Contact Generation Imaging for a free quote, you will not regret it.

January 27, 2016

Florida Microfilm Scanning Service

Generation Imaging, a Broward County microfilm scanning company located in Florida, can handle projects from all around the world. However, local federal, state, county, city, or town governments should be aware that we can handle their projects with ease. Individuals in the following areas should also know that Generation Imaging is their local microfilm scanning service bureau:

Broward County Microfilm Scanning

City of Sunrise

Coconut Creek

Cooper City

Coral Springs

Dania

Davie

Deerfield Beach

Fort Lauderdale

Hallandale

Hollywood

Inverrary

Lauderdale Lakes

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Lauderhill

Lighthouse Point

Margate

Miramar

North Lauderdale

North Ridge Annex

Oakland Park

Parkland

Pembroke Park

Pembroke Pines

Plantation

Pompano Beach

Port Everglades

South Florida

Sunrise

Tamarac

West Hollywood

Weston

Westside Branch

Wilton Manors

Dade County Microfilm Scannning

Aventura

Bal Harbour

Bay Harbor Islands

Brickell

Carl Fisher

Carol City

Coconut Grove

Coral Gables

Flamingo Lodge

Florida City

Goulds

Hialeah

Hialeah Gardens

Homestead

Kendall

Key Biscayne

Ludlam

Medley

Miami

Miami Beach

Miami Gardens

Miami Lakes

Miami Shores

Miami Springs

Normandy

North Bay Village

North Miami

North Miami Beach

Ojus

Olympia Heights

Opa Locka

Perrine

Pinecrest

Princeton

Quail Heights

Seybold

Snapper Creek

South Miami

Sunny Isles Beach

Sunset

Surfside

Sweetwater

Trail Annex

Uleta

September 2, 2011

Florida Microfilm Scanning

There are quite a few Florida microfilm scanning companies. It goes without saying that the state is big and has many different regions and cultures. The bigger the city, the more digital conversion bureaus. Generation Imaging is a Florida microfilm scanning company situated in Dade County.

What factors go into making a decision about which Florida microfilm scanning company to use?

1- Location. For many Floridians, to be within driving distance is an important factor. In fact the first thing organizations who need roll film digitized check is for conversion companies in their area. The mentality is usually based on the fear of lost shipments, shipment costs, or having the film nearby.

Although these seem like valid concerns, much of the fear in not justified. First, USPS has tremendous competitive rates compared to Fed-Ex and UPS. More and more clients use and request USPS than ever before.

The risk of losing film in the mail may be pretty much the same of having an airplane crash. The chances of getting into a car accident on the way to the local company may be greater.

As far as having the film nearby, well there are many services people use that aren’t nearby and require sending things in the mail. Converting roll film is not like bringing your automobile into the mechanic.

2- Arguably, price is the most important element of choosing a Florida microfilm scanning service bureau. Generation Imaging has the lowest price structure for various reasons, including knowing the market, keeping overhead low (you know, like not spending an $8,000 monthly rent), and not engaging in corporate waste (such as paying employees to “keep them busy” or buying lunch for upper management every day. Generation Imaging is a wholesale Florida microfilm scanning company: no middle-men, no subcontracting, and no mark-up costs.

3- For clients that have been through the ringer of using multiple conversion companies, reputation of quality of service may actually supplant pricing. If you are tired of missed deadlines, poor quality images, bait and switch quotes, lack of communication, and up front money demands, give Generation Imaging a try for Florida microfilm scanning. Dan Gandul and Damian Hospital’s faces, phone numbers, and e-mails are all over the internet. They have nothing to hide. Their company is G.I. Partners, LLC, which handles Florida microfilm scanning. Dan and Damian will either supervise, manage, quality control, or in some cases actually digitize your roll film project. G.I. is 100% accountable and takes full responsibility for your project.

What exactly do you have to lose by switching Florida microfilm scanning companies by at least giving Dan and Damian a chance? Loyalty or habit? If you are truly satisfied with your current Florida microfilm scanning company- that’s fine. But if you’d like to at least see if you can save money on a Florida microfilm scanning quote, please feel free to contact us.