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| Registered: January 11, 2009 |  Posts: 23 |
| | Posted: | | | | I'm very new at this and it looks like to submit any cover images, I'll need some kind of image scanner in order to follow the rules. I'll be honest, at this point I just copy and past images as long as they're clean images just so I'll have an image in my local database if there is non to begin with . So, I was just wondering what the best, least expensive scanner is? Thanks. |
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| Registered: March 14, 2007 | Reputation:  |  Posts: 6,741 |
| | Posted: | | | | I have a standard flatbed scanner in the 50€ range and as long as I clean the glass plate regulary I get good results. I scan at 600 DPI. Then I check the scan for dirt or smaller anomalies which I then retouche with an image editor. Then I reduce the picture to 700 by 500 (keeping the original aspect ratio of course). The resizing and JPEG compression will make the retouched parts basically invisible. | | | Karsten
DVD Collectors Online
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| Registered: May 20, 2007 | Reputation:  | | Posts: 2,934 |
| | Posted: | | | | I have a Lexmark x5340 all in one that I got from Walmart and it works fine |
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| Registered: May 19, 2007 | Reputation:  | | Posts: 6,730 |
| | Posted: | | | | Hewlett Packard has some good offers in their "All-In-One"-series too.
Just make sure you're buying a recent model because otherwise you'll be in trouble when you run a 64-Bit operating system. The driver support for older low-budget products is really bad from many manufacturers. | | | It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?
Registrant since 05/22/2003 |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 20,111 |
| | Posted: | | | | I have two seperate Canon scanners, and would recommend them to anyone. You can get a LiDE model quite cheaply. 300dpi usually obtains a nice detailed image.
My experience with those "All-In-One" models, especially Hewlett Packard has been disappointing scanning and printing quality. Even at higher DPI settings, that brand offered poor image quality and had serious problems with artifacts and unwanted moire patterns. | | | | Corey |
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| Registered: January 11, 2009 | | Posts: 23 |
| | Posted: | | | | The only thing that I don't understand though is if you need an image scanner to contribute box covers, then how is it box covers to pre-released dvd/blu-rays can appear and not be copied and pasted from Amazon or DVDEmpire, since, I know that would be the only way for me to do so.
For example
http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99366488880235&item_id=1452392&searchID=240823 | | | | Last edited: by Guyver2005 |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 20,111 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Guyver2005: Quote:
The only thing that I don't understand though is if you need an image scanner to contribute box covers, then how is it box covers to pre-released dvd/blu-rays can appear and not be copied and pasted from Amazon or DVDEmpire, since, I know that would be the only way for me to do so.
For example
http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99366488880235&item_id=1452392&searchID=240823 Because they have "Copyrighted Material" watermarks on them. See the lower right corners of the images on DVD Empire. | | | | Corey |
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| Registered: January 11, 2009 | | Posts: 23 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Katatonia: Quote:
Quoting Guyver2005:
Quote:
The only thing that I don't understand though is if you need an image scanner to contribute box covers, then how is it box covers to pre-released dvd/blu-rays can appear and not be copied and pasted from Amazon or DVDEmpire, since, I know that would be the only way for me to do so.
For example
http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99366488880235&item_id=1452392&searchID=240823
Because they have "Copyrighted Material" watermarks on them. See the lower right corners of the images on DVD Empire. Not every site would have them do, though. Plus, with dvdempire it's not always transparant. I don't see anything out of place in the link below. Anyways, it still doesn't explain how a pre-release like the Chronicles of Riddick BD 2 Pack or Quantum of Solace front cover images can be on dvdprofiler two months before release day. Unless those adding them is really close to the business, or the image was clean when copied and contributed or they cut off the watermarks somehow, if only partially. http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99366488880235&item_id=1432105&tab=5&anchor=1#topoftabs |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 20,111 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Guyver2005: Quote:
Not every site would have them do, though. Plus, with dvdempire it's not always transparant. I don't see anything out of place in the link below. Anyways, it still doesn't explain how a pre-release like the Chronicles of Riddick BD 2 Pack or Quantum of Solace front cover images can be on dvdprofiler two months before release day. Unless those adding them is really close to the business, or the image was clean when copied and contributed or they cut off the watermarks somehow, if only partially.
http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99366488880235&item_id=1432105&tab=5&anchor=1#topoftabs Not all pre-release images on websites contain "watermarks" and are sent out from the studios to the various online stores and movie websites as such. Those which do not have "watermarks" on them can be added in the program for pre-release profiles, and that is how they get into the Profiler program early. The problem with DVD Empire covers is that they all add "Copyrighted Material" watermarks on them, and no matter how small or transparent those appear on the scans, they are not allowed by the rules: "Images must not contain extra watermarks, autographs, or site links." | | | | Corey | | | | Last edited: by Katatonia |
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| Registered: January 11, 2009 | | Posts: 23 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Katatonia: Quote:
Quoting Guyver2005:
Quote:
Not every site would have them do, though. Plus, with dvdempire it's not always transparant. I don't see anything out of place in the link below. Anyways, it still doesn't explain how a pre-release like the Chronicles of Riddick BD 2 Pack or Quantum of Solace front cover images can be on dvdprofiler two months before release day. Unless those adding them is really close to the business, or the image was clean when copied and contributed or they cut off the watermarks somehow, if only partially.
http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?userid=99366488880235&item_id=1432105&tab=5&anchor=1#topoftabs
Not all pre-release images on websites contain "watermarks" and are sent out from the studios to the various online stores and movie websites as such. Those which do not have "watermarks" on them can be added in the program for pre-release profiles, and that is how they get into the Profiler program early.
The problem with DVD Empire covers is that they all add "Copyrighted Material" watermarks on them, and no matter how small or transparent those appear on the scans, they are not allowed by the rules: "Images must not contain extra watermarks, autographs, or site links." Not to start a witch hunt or get anyone in trouble, but the Riddick 2 pack image was added and the watermarks are present but just cut off the bottom right slightly. UPC: 025195057196. Just thought I'd say something for those interested. |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 20,111 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Guyver2005: Quote:
Not to start a witch hunt or get anyone in trouble, but the Riddick 2 pack image was added and the watermarks are present but just cut off the bottom right slightly. UPC: 025195057196. Just thought I'd say something for those interested. Then those somehow got past the screeners, and should be replaced in the database. You'll see DVD Empire images slip into the database every now and then. | | | | Corey |
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| Registered: January 11, 2009 | | Posts: 23 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Katatonia: Quote:
Quoting Guyver2005:
Quote:
Not to start a witch hunt or get anyone in trouble, but the Riddick 2 pack image was added and the watermarks are present but just cut off the bottom right slightly. UPC: 025195057196. Just thought I'd say something for those interested.
Then those somehow got past the screeners, and should be replaced in the database. You'll see DVD Empire images slip into the database every now and then. Yeah, smeg happens every now and then, sometimes bad material can fall through the cracks. I'll definitely have to get me a scanner that won't cost me an arm and a leg and will get good results. I just don't see how box sets can fit, like the Star Wars Trilogies. Wouldn't you have to close a lid? I've never used one of those things in my life, so I wouldn't know the right ones from the bad. And what about the discs inside the cases? |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 20,111 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Guyver2005: Quote:
Yeah, smeg happens every now and then, sometimes bad material can fall through the cracks. I'll definitely have to get me a scanner that won't cost me an arm and a leg and will get good results. I just don't see how box sets can fit, like the Star Wars Trilogies. Wouldn't you have to close a lid? I've never used one of those things in my life, so I wouldn't know the right ones from the bad. And what about the discs inside the cases? Box Sets are a little harder to scan at times, since they're often larger in size and dimension. You really can't close the lid fully with them, but I've found that if you drape a dark sheet or towel over the top of the scanner it should block out most of the light from outside sources. Sometimes they won't even fit on the scanner fully, or are of the "3D case" variety without flat surfaces on the front. Those usually just have a stock front image in the database since they're pretty much impossible to scan. We don't really scan the actual discs inside the cases, but you can always keep local images of anything you want. If you meant the seperate case covers included inside the box sets, those can often be scanned and added to the child profiles. You won't need to spend a fortune on a scanner to get good results. Canon's LiDE line of scanners only runs about $55-$90 at most stores. And unless you plan on scanning film slides, they're ideal for scanning DVD covers. | | | | Corey |
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| Registered: January 11, 2009 | | Posts: 23 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Katatonia:
"We don't really scan the actual discs inside the cases, but you can always keep local images of anything you want. If you meant the seperate case covers included inside the box sets, those can often be scanned and added to the child profiles."
No, I mean is it safe scanning the covers with the disc still inside the case or do you have to remove the disc from the case? |
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| Registered: March 13, 2007 | | Reputation: | | Posts: 20,111 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Guyver2005: Quote:
No, I mean is it safe scanning the covers with the disc still inside the case or do you have to remove the disc from the case? To get the best scans, remove the covers from the case before scanning. Don't scan the cases themselves unless necessary...or you'll get reflection issues, unwanted artifacts/noise, etc. | | | | Corey |
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| Registered: May 18, 2007 |  Posts: 232 |
| | Posted: | | | | Quoting Guyver2005: Quote:
No, I mean is it safe scanning the covers with the disc still inside the case or do you have to remove the disc from the case? Don't be afraid, we're not talking about x-ray here. It's only light, and you don't need sun block  I've never had any problems scanning with the lid open either. Either I close it as much as possible, or I just have it completely open. Maybe I add a weight to press the box down on the glass. |
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