PHOTO SCAN

Timeless DVD advises that you trust us to do the photo scanning for your slideshow. When we scan photos, we use professional scanning services equipment, as well as settings that minimize dust, hairs, and scratches. But if you prefer to do the scanning, here's what you need to know to ensure that pictures to video project works out well.

Photo Scanning - Essentials

Scanner Setup
• Wipe the scanner's surface with a lint-free cloth to remove dust and smudges.
• Set the scanner's mode as "picture," not "document."
• Turn off any automatic color, contrast, brightness, or sharpening features. Most scanners have features to adjust your photos automatically. We use professional software for this work, which provide superior results.

Resolution Settings
If your photos are:
Smaller than 4"x6" – Scan at 600 dpi
4"x6" – Scan at 400 dpi
5"x7" or larger – Scan at 300 dpi

If possible, check the pixel size (a.k.a. image DPI) of your first few scanned images in a graphics program to make sure you are on the right track. The pixel length of the shorter side of your scanned photo should be at least 1000 dpi. The higher the DPI, the higher the quality.

File Formats
Save your scans as JPEG files (.jpg). If your scanning software allows you to adjust the quality setting of the JPEG, select the highest setting possible. If JPEG is not available, TIFF is fine too, but does entail much larger file sizes.

Organizing your scans
Just like prints, your scans should be labeled according to their positions in your picture slide show. That means renaming each file with a number: 002.jpg, 003.jpg, 004.jpg.

Getting them to us
You may provide your scanned files on a CD-R or Flash drive. Everything is returned.

Slideshow to DVD - additional tips

• Wipe off your scanner's surface throughout the process. Check it every 10 photos to make sure it is still clean.

• Align your photos so they are squared with the scanner (not crooked).

• Scan images as color or RGB images, even if they are black and white.

• Don't worry about a white border around your scan; we can crop it out.

• Remove photos from albums and frames to scan. Do not scan picture through glass or plastic.

Advantages to Timeless DVD's pictures to video scanning

Timeless DVD strongly suggests you trust our expert scanning service to do the photo scan work for your show. We pride ourselves on creating video montage shows with photos that look fantastic onscreen.

To accomplish this, we use a unique process in our photo scanning, including a professional-grade scanner. We constantly clean the scanner with chemicals and brushes to minimize dust. We also scan every photo by hand to ensure its quality. Few people have the time, skills, or scanner to do this level of work when transferring from photo to DVD.

After scanning photos, we optimize every picture with basic photo optimization, including correcting contrast and color, buffing out dust and scratches, and fixing other imperfections. This work is included in our $2 price. Conversely, when photos are provided as scans, we are unable to offer these same benefits (dust and scratch removal is not included in the $1.50 digital price).

Many customers, albeit with the best intentions, opt to do their own scanning, only to find it very time-consuming and tedious. If you have any doubts about your ability to scan your photos, it is best to let a photo scanning service do the job. With us, you are guaranteed the highest-quality images – just like our video DVD transfer work!

Transfer your slideshow to DVD today!