Inside NIRMA Fall 2020

Workflow
for a Reason
Understanding the process of
microfilm conversion.
By Matt Anderson,
Vice President of Marketing, nextScan
W
hile you may think microformcapture
is simple: Point,
Shoot, and Capture; TRUE
microform conversion is
complicated. The engineers at nextScan
have decades of combined experience
scanning microforms. Over those years
they have learned to streamline and
perfect the conversion process rather
than cut corners, literally.
First, all data must be captured and
frames must be detected instantly.
When we capture a roll of film we save
it as RAW data allowing for maximum
flexibility during the remaining
operations. Next, a technician audits the
scan to make sure all data has been
Every conversion project is
important, vital even. Your
records are important to us
too. This is why we created a
process that not only scans
your microfilm quickly, but
also delivers perfect images
with all being captured with
complete confidence.
collected properly,
and then makes
any necessary
adjustments before
indexing. And
finally, we create a datafile to deliver a
document when requested. So, why do
we do it this way? When scanning
thousands, or even millions of
microfilm images, you cannot afford to
miss a single one.
One Size Does Not Fit All
nextScan, along with ST Imaging,
make up the microfilm division of
Digital Check, the
world’s leading
manufacturer of
check scanners. Not
only are we experts
in the field of
microform capture
but also check and
other imaging. We
offer many
technologies with
our scanning
solutions, including
Contact Image
Sensors (CIS), Area
Array Cameras, and
Line Scan Sensors.
We use CIS sensors
in our check
scanning products. We offer an Area
Array Camera, which is like the camera
in your cell phone, in our ViewScan 4
microfilm scanner. And we use a Line
Scan Sensor on our high-speed capture
scanners. One image sensor is not the
best solution for all situations. Make
sure you use the right tool for your job.
Advantages of Line
Scanning Technology
For continuous, uninterrupted
scanning of microforms, line scanning
technology is superior. Line scanning
involves precise strobe lighting to allow
the line image sensor to capture every
row of pixels, one at a time, as the film
passes below. This ensures nothing is
missed during the capture process.
And a RAW data file is best for
capturing when using a line scan sensor
because it stores every piece of data as
the microfilm moves beneath the
Continued on next page.
Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2020 5