How to Scan Computer Output Microfilm

Computer Output Microfilm is THE most advanced, most difficult, and most technical roll film to scan. Why? For normal roll film, high production microfilm scanners capture each frame based on edge detection algorithms, which include setting sense areas and black/white pixel formulas. It helps if the frames are fixed, but variable length frames can be captured with no problems.

However, for Computer Output Microfilm there may be no edges of frames. Indeed, the scanner operator will be lucky to find a consistent and detectable edge (YES, even with ribbon scanning- don't believe the hype from scanner manufacturers). The easiest way out of this jam is if the Computer Output Microfilm has blips for each frame. Then, the scanner could be set up to detect on the blip.

So as you can see there are at least three general types of Computer Output Microfilm in roll film scanning, and one of them requires post-processing: the images would have to be scanned as strips- with a backup overscan- and then the frames would have to be manually cropped/clipped. Suffice to say the costs are very high to digitize Computer Output Microfilm in this way.

Therefore it is very important for you to know and identify if you have this type of film instead of standard 16mm roll film. Generation Imaging is a scanning company that can these types of roll film conversions. Please contact G.I. if you need to have COM reels converted to digital image. Generation Imaging will perform a sample for you.