RE: Proposal for Scanner Comparison

["gary" <gsellani@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You could take it a step further and learn how to tweak various scanners to
get better than factory service. [This business model was done successfully
by Sonic Frontiers in the high end audio business.] An alternative is to
offer design services to the manufacturer regarding improving their product.
Mosaid did this as a design service for memory manufacturers, basically
finding bugs in their product then holding them hostage to get the fixes.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-scan@leben.com [mailto:owner-scan@leben.com]On Behalf Of
> Phil.Lippincott
> Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 5:59 PM
> To: scan@leben.com
> Subject: Re: Proposal for Scanner Comparison
>
>
> Hi Carl,
>
>     We obtained the URL today the test comparison web site will be titled
> "ScannerForum.com".  As you can see I'm also hoping to arrange
> for a forum and
> to allow multimedia viewing of some of my scanner technology and "Scan
> Technique"  papers and training materials there as well.
>      The Scanner Comparison Test Criteria is basically to
> physically scan the
> Kodak T-34 Optical Density Scanner Calibration and the U.S. Air
> Force Optical
> Visibility Resolution Targets.  The Kodak target goes between ISO
> Status A clear
> substrate .02 density to 3.4.  The Air Force target goes between
> line pairs per
> millimeter of about 30 to 8000 ppi or dpi. I first started doing
> these test in
> 1992 because I needed to find out in detail where the sources of
> scanner quality
> problems originated for a very important client.   I presented the test
> methodology at a PMA conference session in 1999.
>      On some of the 40 scanner tested the scanner manufacturers
> have been very
> helpful.  Companies like Epson, Scitex /Creo, Heidelberg, Howtek,
> Umax have all
> helped.  Because I have been doing this for about 10 years most
> manufacturers
> scanner product managers, know that I am doing it and a few
> thousand people have
> viewed the results at trade shows.  Many of the manufacturers who have not
> assisted but who have been tested;  had representatives come to
> see the results
> at PMA / DIMA this year.  These included Kodak, Nikon, Polaroid
> and Imacon for
> instance.  They wanted to see how their product performed,
> because frankly many
> of the companies aren't really sure.  They don't all perform
> these tests and
> some of them aren't sure how they should be conducted. Also
> generally nothing
> about the available product specifications directly relate to the
> scanner actual
> optical quality performances.  So well meaning employees of these
> companies
> appreciate being able to judge the performance for the first
> time. In all cases
> even when the manufacturer is performing the tests, I have personally been
> present to assist them in a proper conduct of the test procedures.
>      I hope to offer this web site to the industry for both
> scanner users and
> manufacturers to collaborate.  This means if a manufacturer wants
> to submit
> scanners for testing or re-testing etc. they can.  It means also
> if individual
> owners of scanners want to run the test procedures in a
> controlled fashion and
> submit results they also can.  Perhaps with time these kinds of
> activities we
> can improve the products, knowledge and general state of affairs
> of the scanner
> industry.  Also if someone owning a scanner doesn't get the same
> performance
> comparably to the test results, they can know that there is a
> maintenance or
> manufacturing problem.
>       We'll see how it goes and if people want to get behind this
> in a positive
> way.
>
> Best Regards,
> Phil Lippincott
> www.aztek.com
>
> Carl Grohs wrote:
>
> > From: "Phil.Lippincott" <phil.lippincott@worldnet.att.net>
> > Subject: Re: Proposal for Scanner Comparison
> >
> > (snip)
> >
> > I personally am also planning now on a new web site where
> > over 40 scanner comparisons , with objective benchmarks will be
> online for
> > people to see first hand what they do versus the marketing claims.
> >
> > Phil Lippincott
> >
> > *************************
> >
> > Wonderful idea, can't  wait. A source for unbiased information
> with which to
> > make an informed decision-what a novel idea! Just curious, if you don't
> > mind, what will be the source of the scanners tested? I would
> find it hard
> > to believe that the manufacturers themselves would be willing
> to participate
> > in holding their equipment up to independent testing.
> >
> > Warmest Regards,
> > Carl Grohs, Jr.    Design Directions    Eden, NC
> >
> > Good scan info site:
> > www.scantips.com
> > List archives:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scan
> >
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