Kodak and Cintel Join Forces to Improve Film Scanning

Continuing in its efforts to support the advancement of high quality scanning within the motion picture industry, Kodak has recently collaborated with Cintel to provide Cintel’s diTTo customers with key Kodak scanning technology. Through this new initiative, Kodak will be providing factory calibration support for all new diTTo motion picture scanning systems.

This factory calibration is an extension of the professional service offerings provided through Kodak Motion Picture Services. The factory calibration consists of customized color patches and film stocks that will characterize each scanner. Data generated via the characterization will be analyzed and used to generate a color transform that will ensure that each scanner is calibrated to accurately record the vast color gamut associated with color negative films.

In addition, every diTTo will optionally feature a built-in version of Kodak’s Display Manager (KDM) software within each on-scanner host computer display — Cintel's 'Realtime' Image Viewer. Utilizing patented film emulation technology, this custom version of KDM will allow diTTo customers to pre-visualize what their scanned film will look like when printed.

"The addition of KDM software into our 'Realtime' Image Viewer should materially increase customer confidence," says Simon Clark, business manager for Cintel. "This tool helps customers pre-visualize final output, and ultimately reinforce their assurance that they will obtain superior scans from the diTTo."

The diTTo scanner from Cintel also features the D/SCO option which provides optical correction of dust and scratches within the scanner. The D/SCO-equipped diTTo also provides an output defect file generated by the scanner, which allows highly efficient additional downstream dust-busting.

As part of the overall agreement, Cintel has licensed Kodak intellectual property associated with Cintel’s production of the D/SCO output map and the use of the map by Cintel’s end user customers.

"This licensing agreement allows us to more fully offer our customers the full use of the output map," says Phil Bousfield, CEO of Cintel. "The combination of Kodak's IP with our D/SCO in-scanner correction technology enables even greater efficiencies within the postproduction workflow."

“This agreement is another example of our industry efforts to harness the power of digital equipment, and to fully advantage a film-friendly production and post production process,” says Kim Snyder, general manager, Worldwide Origination Products, and vice president for Kodak’s Entertainment Imaging Division. “We are providing technology to committed partners that meets the needs of our mutual customers.”