Hammacher Schlemmer is known for its quirky, unique gadgets. The company seems to have something for everything. It’s latest device, the Digital Photograph Converter, aims to help you turn those old photos laying around your house into digital files on your computer. But does a device used to dummy down the process give you good results?
Design
The Digital Photograph Converter is a lightweight, box style scanner meant to sit on your desk next to your computer. It’s a bit bulky, but I suppose a scanner needs to have some bulk to them to work.
The unit is powered through USB 2.o and needs to be hooked up to your computer. You will also have to install Arcsoft software (which comes with the scanner) in order to make use of all the Digital Photo Converter’s features.
Scanning
Once your scanner is hooked up and the software is installed you’re ready to start. First step, calibration. The process takes about 30 seconds and is done through the Arcsoft software. This basically ensures you get proper colours on your photos. Once calibration has been completed you’re ready to start scanning.
Unlike a traditional scanner, the DPC makes you slide all your photos into plastic trays for scanning. The trays come in three standard sizes, 3.5 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 7. You will not be able to scan any pictures that are not in these standard sizes.
Once your picture has been loaded into the tray, simply slide the tray into a slot in the back of the scanner. Hit the copy button on the scanner and your photo becomes a digital image on your computer. The entire process is quick, taking less than 20 seconds per picture.
Quality
The DPC does a decent job at scanning photos, but not stellar. The device claims to convert 5.0 mega pixel images, but I found some photos looked a bit pixelated. The colour also seemed to be off on a couple of the images I scanned. Although I tried to re-run the colour calibration I just couldn’t get the colours to match the original.
I also had issues with black and white images. The scanner seemed to add a few pinkish tones to some of the black and white pictures we scanned. While it was a cool effect, it was not a true representation of the colours in the original photo.
The interesting thing to note here is this didn’t happen on all my pictures. I tried scanning one of my friend’s wedding photos and they all turned out fine. The colours looked great. I never did figure out why the scanner seemed to favour some pictures over others.
One feature I did like was the fact that photo-editing software was included with the scanner. Arcsoft’s PhotoImpression is pretty bare bones and only gives you access to simple features. Cropping, colour correction, red eye reduction and blurring are all there. This is good for beginners who don’t know how to use complex programs like Photoshop. If you don’t like PhotoImpression you can load your scanned picture into Photoshop or another program of your choice.
Downfalls
One of the biggest downfalls I found with the DPC was the fact that you are limited to only three photo sizes. The scanner only comes with trays to hold 3.5 x 5, 4 x6, and 5 x 7 photos. True, this may be the most popular sizes, but what about 8 x 11’s and the newer panorama formats? Unfortunately you will not be able to scan these.
While the trays make it easy to scan photos, you can also run the risk of damaging older pictures. You have to slide photos into the trays so they rest between two thin pieces of plastic. You have to remember, older photos may have torn edges, and some are even printed on thicker paper. You run the risk of tearing, or scratching your older photos when you slide them into the trays.
Another issues is colour. We simply were not able to get perfect colour matches. One of our test pictures was of a beach with crystal clear water. For some reason the scanned photos showed the water as green. No matter how many times we reran the setup, the scanner just couldn’t replicate the photo properly. As mentioned earlier this only happened on some pictures. Others turned out perfect.
Bottom Line
The Digital Photo Converter is easy to setup, and use. The user interface is basic, as is the photo editing software. This is not a bad thing. In fact this device is perfect for people who are not tech savvy, and may be intimidated by high end scanners.
For everyone else who has used a scanner before, the Digital Photograph Converter may not be for you. The image quality was decent but not spectacular. Colours seemed a bit off on certain scans, and the scanning software itself was limited in terms of options. Even the photo editing software was basic at best. If you want the highest possible scans possible, you will not be satisfied with this device. Great for Grandma and Grandpa, but for $120 price tag, most of us would be better off with a multi-purpose scanner.
The Good
Simple Setup
Easy to Use
Quick scans
Photo editing software included
The Bad
Bulky
Limited to 3.5 x 5, 4 x 6, and 5 x 7 photographs
Sometimes difficult to get accurate colours during scans
Very basic photo editing software
Good morning, Mike Just a quick note to thank-you for providing me an opportunity to “play” with the new scanner. Say hello to Jeff. Thanks for your time and my family enjoyed the segment. Drop by for coffee anytime
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 amSincerely,
Marilyn Gore 7