1Scan
Memories from photos, slides & home movies
FAQs
Your questions answered.

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  • Photo Scanning

  • We can scan your photos in a particular order. Just make sure they're safely batched up and mailed to us with a note explaining the order you want them kept in.
  • What print scanning equipment do you use?
    Our print scanning is done on Kodak scanners, which we believe are the best print scanners available; along with Epson for larger images.
  • Do I need to mail my photos in order?
    No, just pack them securely. We'll turn them the right way round, scan them, then get them on their way back to you.
  • Are there sample scans I can look at?
    Yes, we have some sample scans here.
  • Why should I have my photos scanned?
    We can think of many reasons, five reasons to scan your photos are here.
  • Do I get my photos back?
    Yes, your originals photos will be mailed back to you along with the CD or DVD with your digital photos.
  • Scanning resolution - must it be 600 dpi? Can I have 300 dpi?
    If you would like your photos scanned at 300 dpi just let us know. This is sometimes a requirement of online printing services, we are happy to oblige.
  • Slide & Negative Scanning
  • What negative scanning equipment do you use?
    We scan 35mm negatives on Nikon Coolscan 5000 scanners, larger negatives such as medium format are scanned on Epson.
  • What slide scanning equipment do you use?
    35mm slides are scanned on Nikon Coolscan 5000. We use Epson for medium format or larger.
  • Can my scanned photos be used to make photobooks?
    Yes. There are no copy controls or other restrictions placed on the scans we create for you from your photos. You can therefore use them to create photobooks just as you would your own digital photos or if you scanned the photos yourself.
  • How can I convert slides to photos?
    Simple - just us your slides (35mm or medium format). We'll scan them and send you a CD (or DVD) with your photos on it in digital form. Just take this into Boots, Currys or any photo shop and they'll be able to produce photo prints for you. In Boots the cost can be as low as 10p per print. Alternatively use one of the many online services - upload our scans, they print your photos and mail the results to you. You start with slides and end up with prints.
  • Do I get my slides back?
    Yes, we'll return your slides along with your scanned images on CD or DVD.
  • Can I print large images from your scans?
    Yes. There's an explanation of how you can resize our scans using Photoshop commands here.
  • Projector Data
    LCD projectors are becoming increasingly popular, and of course they can be used to show slides and negatives scanned by 1Scan. Our advice is to buy the best unit you can afford, but go in particular for the unit with the highest resolution because (all other factors being equal) that will give the most detailed image. Several terms are used to describe projector resolutions:
    SVGA - 800 x 600 pixels
    XGA - 1024 x 768 pixels
    SXGA - 1280 x 1024 pixels
    If you set your PC monitor to the lower resolutions you'll get a comparative idea of the quality each can display.
    The other key term is lumen. This is a measure of the brightness of light, and therefore the relative darkness you'll need to view the image.
  • Camcorder to DVD
  • Video formats.
    All videos must be European PAL format; we can't handle NTSC. More on video formats.
  • How can I identify my camcorder tapes?
    We have put some pictures of VHS-C, Hi8, Digital8 , Video8 and MiniDV tapes here.
  • What video tapes can you convert?
    Hi8, Video8, Digital 8, VHS, VHS-C and Mini-DV.
  • What video tapes can be converted to computer files?
    We can convert all Hi8, Video 8, Digital 8, VHS, VHS-C and MiniDV tapes into editable computer files.
  • DVD copying?
    We can convert your original videotapes into DVDs and make additional copy DVDs. We also work for many solicitors, accountants and private enquiry agents to make copies of DVDs. More details here.
  • Which computer file formats do you offer?
    We can convert video tapes into most digital file formats including AVI, DivX, MPEG 2, MPEG4, AVI, QuickTime, MOV plus others. If there is a particular file format you need please let us know.
  • Technical
  • I want scanning done to my own criteria, can you do this?
    We'll do everything we can to meet special requirements, just ring us on 01277 222 398 and tell us what you need.
  • Can I have an extra copy of the CD / DVD? Or make my own?
    Yes, we can make more copies of your image disc but there is a charge for this. If you have disc copying software on your PC (or Mac) you can do this yourself.
  • I might want some images done later at higher resolution?
    If we scan at Home level and you would later like that image re-scanned at Professional level, we will just charge you the difference in cost (rather than the full amount).
  • File formats?
    We typically offer jpg or tiff files.

    The Home Service for slide or negative scanning provides scans to jpg files. The Professional Service delivers tiff images.

    Our Print Scanning service creates jpg files.

    If you have a particular file type requirement please contact us.
  • Colour restoration? My images are over 30 years old.
    It is inevitable that slides, negatives and prints fade with age. Our scanners have built in hardware features which will boost fading colours and help turn back the clock. Feedback from clients has been very positive and we're very pleased with what we can do. We don't turn every image into the sunniest of days, with the harshest of colours, but we will surprise you with how good the scans are.
  • Can I edit / print your image files at home?
    Yes, you can. Our digital image files are in standard jpg or tiff so you can open and edit them in any image editing program (Kodak Easyshare, Photoshop, Aperture, Picassa, ACDSee etc). You can also print at home from our files.
  • Contact sheets
    We can create digital equivalents of the old contact sheets you used to get. Our clients have told us these can be very useful when planning slideshows or organising photoalbums. You can use these to see all your images with file names underneath. If you'd like these please ask, at moment we don't make a charge for these.
  • Digital ICE?
    This is a feature built in to our slide and negative scanners which automatically removes dust and scratches from images. It's a hardware device which dramatically cleans your scans, and saves you hours of post-processing. Unfortunately Digital ICE doesn't always work with Kodachrome slides, or black & white negatives that contain silver.
  • How should I mail work to you?
    We'd recommend sending your images and tapes in a padded envelope. Please make sure you enclose return address details, and a contact number or email can be useful.
    Send your photos by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery or Special Delivery; or by courier.
  • Can you handle short negative strips?
    Yes, down to a single frame.
  • Can I put my scans on the internet?
    Yes you can.
  • Optical density
    4.0 DMax
  • Optical resolution?
    Technically we can offer up to 4800 dpi x 9600 dpi, in practice the maximum we'd offer for 35mm slides and negatives is 4,000 dpi.
  • Can I get prints made from your scans?
    Yes, you can. We don't use any type of copy protection so prints can be made directly from the CD or DVD we supply at High Street stores such as Boots or Currys. You can also use one of the many online print services such as Kodak's.
  • Invoicing & Payment
  • How can I pay?
    When your work is complete we will send you an invoice, you can pay by cheque, bank transfer or PayPal.
  • Prints? Negatives? Slides? Cost?
    We charge on a "per image" basis, so your final charge will be calculated on the number of chargeable images we have created for you.
  • European & Overseas Clients
    We have done work for clients in USA, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, Holland and Finnland. If you can mail your photos, slides, negatives or video tapes to us in the UK then we'll do the work and mail it back to you.
    Payment is handled by PayPal, we;ll invoice you in Sterling and you can pay in your local currency.
    If you want to know how much return postage is likely to cost you'll find detailed price guides on the Royal Mail's web site - royalmail.com.
  • General
  • How long does it take? Rush jobs?
    We try to get every job back as quickly as we can, but please allow up to two weeks for longer projects (typically converting multiple videotape conversions). If you need your work completed by a particular deadline please let us know, we'll do our best to get the work done quickly.
  • Do I get my originals back?
    Yes, we will return your original prints, slides, negatives or videotapes. If you wish we can send originals and scans / DVDs in separate parcels.
  • Collection / Delivery?
    If you live nearby, or would like to make the journey, you're welcome to drop your photos, slides, negatives or video tapes into us in person. The address is on the contact page. We get many visitors from Brentwood, Hutton, Shenfield, Billericay, and Ongar - we've even had people from Kent, Oxford, Colchester and London make the journey to Brentwood.
  • Personalised Photoalbums
    We're in the process of building a website to explain all the hows and whys of creating your own, personalised photoalbums. We'd love you to take a look, if there's anything you'd like us to cover in this site please tell us.
© 2009 Jeff Underwood Contact 1Scan