Re: filmscanners: scanning/photoshop workstation (long)

["James L. Sims" <jlsims@knology.net>]

PAUL GRAHAM wrote:

> (Snip)
>
> Basically the new 4000 dpi m/f scanners will output such large files that
> handling them demands a new ball game in desktop systems: files of 500 to
> 700 Mb will be common at 4000 dpi, (in 16bit), and no doubt 6000 dpi will
> come along soon for 35mm. If you do 5x4" - god help you.

I think it comes down to what resolution you need for the intended purpose.  I
think 300 ppi for an 8 X 10 is sufficient for my Epson 1200 printer (2400 X 3000
image size).  I can not discern any improvement with higher resolutions - not
that I would turn down a 4000 or 6000 ppi scanner if I could afford it and I do
work with image files much larger than this.

>
>
> Processing power is not the problem, a high end Mac, P4 or AMD Athlon, will
> all do the job well. All of these have enough power/ MHz. The issue seems to
> be the memory handling of these large files:
>
> Now, the rule of thumb is that you need 3 to 5 times the RAM as your file
> size for efficient PS handling, so... this means maximum RAM on the machine:
>
> (Snip)
>
> ok: from what I understand the max RAM controllable on a windows board is
> set by the chipset, and of course, the physical number of memory slots
> present. Older chipsets/boards are pretty much the same as Mac's (3 memory
> slots (dimms), 1.5Gb controllable) But there are now motherboards out there
> now that have new chipsets (3 or 4 Gb controllable) and 4 memory slots, so 2
> Gb is can easily be dedicated to Photoshop alone.
>
> Newer DDR memory boards (latest Athlon systems) are also out there with 3 or
> 4 slots, as are P4 boards, with Rambus memory RIMMS, but... this memory is
> very expensive, with a 512Mb stick being about $800 in DDR compared to only
> $170 currently in the older SDRAM. so.. if you are buying four of these (to
> make 2Gb) then you can save literally thousands of $ by not buying the
> latest memory types, losing maybe a few % performance. Or put another way,
> you can have 2Gb of SDRAM for the price of 500 Mb or DDR RAM.
>
> It seems a new style Athlon SDRAM board with 4 slots is the way to go for
> best bang per buck at present.

MicroStar's K7 Master is the only mainboard I've see advertised with this
feature (I'm sure there must be others).  More RAM is essential.  I have already
experienced one hard drive crash that seems to have been caused from over
heating. My OS has also lost its way occasionally after working with large image
files - particularly after opening very large Windows Meta Files. I really wish
I knew why this was happening. It happened with Win 98 and now with Win ME (for
me, ME is much more stable than 98).

According to the information from MicroStar their K7 Master will accept both DDR
and SDRAM with a 4 gig capacity.  From the standpoint of economics I think
installing 2 gig of SDRAM would be a big improvement over what most of us have
now.  Also, while AMD's Irongate 761 chipset is relatively new and is probably
not as mature as the VIA chipset, it is solid as a rock and, in casual
communications with one AMD engineer, they acknowledge most of the commonly
reported issues and have three driver updates pending certification that should
resolve most of these issues.

> (Snip)
>
> So that is where I am at, and about to spend my hard earned dosh.
> Sorry if this is geek-speek to some, but others will (hopefully) point out
> some mistakes or oversights in my thinking, and advise another way...
> please.
>
> I know this sounds crazy high-end stuff, but I really think its coming in
> thick and fast... there will be plenty more pro-photographers out there
> doing this same m/f scanning, and all coming up against these issues.

Very good points Paul, and with the higher resolution scanners coming on line
the computer resources will be required to meet the tasks.  From the information
I've seen about Microsoft's new OS, Windows XP, better management is in the
future - I just hope all the CPU and device manufacturers are on board with the
new system.  Drivers were a major issue with ME.

Jim Sims

>
>
> regards to all,
>
> paul