how do you know if your scanner scans good?

#1 celestial.memories

Member

Group: Banned
Posts: 883
Joined: 11-January 06

Posted 08 April 2006 - 10:13 AM

the detail of the scanner/printer/copy i'm planning on getting

the scan resolution says

up to 19,200 interpolated and 48 bit

i don't get that at all.. is the scanning resolution good?? really good? not that great or something??

please help..

i don't wanna buy it if it sucks..

cuts and bruises everywhere.. what else is new...?

#2 awdark

Cookie Monster

Group: Administrators
Posts: 9,591
Joined: 04-October 05

Posted 09 April 2006 - 07:37 AM

Don't look at the interpolated resolution. Interpolation means the scanner takes a picture and fills in the dot between so it can be bigger. (similar to the way you can enlarge a picture in photoshop, enlarged but doen't look nicer)

I haven't touched my scanner for such a long time but if the rest of it seems good, get it.

Why? Because my current scanner is I think 1200dpi. At 600dpi the picture comes out to a HUGE file already so you don't need anymore. (And my scanner was $7 after rebates =P )

In other words, its difficult to go wrong with a scanner now.

#3 DaRkViEt73

Girl groups rule!

Group: Friends of Soompi
Posts: 1,755
Joined: 07-March 06

Posted 10 April 2006 - 05:37 AM

read reviews on cnet.com or other sites and search for scanners in the price range that you wanna spend. The big differences in scanners are how fast it can scan a picture and the QUALITY of the scans. Like some scan in pictures too brightly or dimly (even after you calibrate the scanner). Some look fuzzier than others eventho you're scanning at the same dpi on both scanners or the colors look faded or just generally inaccurate compared to the original. And speed is important if you plan on scanning a bunch of photos at once like for instance a roll or two of pictures you just got developed. Remember the higher the dpi you scan at, the bigger the filesize and the longer it takes to scan in a picture (some scanners take like 2-3mins just for a standard 4x6 photo at maximum resolution!). Research it a bit to find one in the price range you're comfortable spending.

#4 darkmafiaguy

Member

Group: Friends of Soompi
Posts: 257
Joined: 04-October 05

Posted 10 April 2006 - 06:02 AM

QUOTE(celestial.memories @ Apr 8 2006, 11:13 AM)

If it looks good to you? lol

It's all a matter of perspective.

#5 DarkMagician

Group: Members
Posts: 639
Joined: 05-October 05

Posted 10 April 2006 - 08:21 AM

QUOTE

Because my current scanner is I think 1200dpi

Ha! thats nothing compare to my 19200dpi.
My printer has a built-in scanner and copier in one machine! and it only cost me $100.

#6 awdark

Cookie Monster

Group: Administrators
Posts: 9,591
Joined: 04-October 05

Posted 10 April 2006 - 10:03 AM

interpolation != real resolution

Better? no..

#7 DarkMagician

Group: Members
Posts: 639
Joined: 05-October 05

Posted 10 April 2006 - 02:29 PM

so what you are saying is a scanner that has a lot of dpi is more worst?

#8 darkmafiaguy

Member

Group: Friends of Soompi
Posts: 257
Joined: 04-October 05

Posted 10 April 2006 - 02:33 PM

QUOTE(aznboi387 @ Apr 10 2006, 03:29 PM)

so what you are saying is a scanner that has a lot of dpi is more worst?

No not at all. If the real DPI is 800 for example. It definately produces higher resolution scans than one of, say, a 500 DPI scanner. (And thus in better in that sense.)

However, keep in mind that all scanners are different. Two 800 DPI scanners are not neccesarily equal.

DPI can be thought of as resolution. Resolution is only one factor in determining a "good" scanner.

Oh and like awdark said, 600 DPI is actually pretty large and high res. Normally you dont need more than that unless you are into scanning your old photos and retouching/reprinting them.. I usually scan at 300 or 200. lol