Hacking the Kodak Reels 8mm Film Digitizer (New Thread)

Mikm

New Tinkerer
Nov 27, 2025
4
0
1
I don't understand this one. Can you video what is happening?
Sure, see the video, I just went from recording mode to Frame adjustment mode and when pushing the < > button(s) the frame on screen jump to totally zoom out.

 

0dan0

Active Tinkerer
Jan 13, 2025
314
477
63
Sure, see the video, I just went from recording mode to Frame adjustment mode and when pushing the < > button(s) the frame on screen jump to totally zoom out.
This might be a new limitation. It seems it was broken in V7.4 (v7.3 is okay). So two steps forward, one step back. In three weeks no one else has reported it, as we general frame, then capture, not capture then frame. It is a bug, and worth looking into.
 

sheider

New Tinkerer
Oct 17, 2025
22
8
3
This might be a new limitation. It seems it was broken in V7.4 (v7.3 is okay). So two steps forward, one step back. In three weeks no one else has reported it, as we general frame, then capture, not capture then frame. It is a bug, and worth looking into.
I've seen this bug, but I didn't bother reporting it because it only happened once and I couldn't repeat it. Anyway, the workaround is simple enough: restart the unit. That said, if you are able to find and fix the bug, then you rock, as always!
 

JKCalhoun

New Tinkerer
Dec 25, 2025
1
0
1
Hi, all—

Just picked up the Kodak REELS. I was able to digitize an old 8mm reel my daughter found at an estate sale—with the shipping firmware.

Trying to install various firmware versions I have found in this thread have failed to work on my device. I also am unable to find a default firmware that will restore the device. Any ideas?

FWIW, S/N: H2825148BK00161

It was not recognized by the lookup tool so suggested version B.

A and C give me a messed up display when the machine powers up to the Home Screen.
B looks good (the Home Screen), but the buttons do not function.

Thanks!
 

0dan0

Active Tinkerer
Jan 13, 2025
314
477
63
Hi, all—

Just picked up the Kodak REELS. I was able to digitize an old 8mm reel my daughter found at an estate sale—with the shipping firmware.

Trying to install various firmware versions I have found in this thread have failed to work on my device. I also am unable to find a default firmware that will restore the device. Any ideas?

FWIW, S/N: H2825148BK00161

It was not recognized by the lookup tool so suggested version B.

A and C give me a messed up display when the machine powers up to the Home Screen.
B looks good (the Home Screen), but the buttons do not function.

Thanks!
Do the buttons work with type A or C? If this is a new configuration, it would nice to see what it shares with other configurations.
 

MHreels

New Tinkerer
Nov 28, 2025
3
1
1
Hi, all—

Just picked up the Kodak REELS. I was able to digitize an old 8mm reel my daughter found at an estate sale—with the shipping firmware.

Trying to install various firmware versions I have found in this thread have failed to work on my device. I also am unable to find a default firmware that will restore the device. Any ideas?

FWIW, S/N: H2825148BK00161

It was not recognized by the lookup tool so suggested version B.

A and C give me a messed up display when the machine powers up to the Home Screen.
B looks good (the Home Screen), but the buttons do not function.

Thanks!
Hi JKCalhoun , I have a European version bought in Nov 2025 which works with the attached original Kodak FW for H2324148BK Series. Might work for you too. Good luck.
 

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Mikm

New Tinkerer
Nov 27, 2025
4
0
1
This might be a new limitation. It seems it was broken in V7.4 (v7.3 is okay). So two steps forward, one step back. In three weeks no one else has reported it, as we general frame, then capture, not capture then frame. It is a bug, and worth looking into.
Thanks Odano,
I always start to adjust the frame first however from time to time I need to re-adjust the frame while I'm recording.
(it happens when it moves to another part/scenario of the film (reel consists of several small films, all super-8), do not know why or how this can occur with the same reel, not all my reels have this behavior).
The re-adjustment issue as described is always: Buttons to adjust the frame freeze and 3times out of 5 re-tries it even jump to total zoom-out and freeze.
 

Mac84

Administrator
Staff member
Founder
Sep 4, 2021
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New Jersey, USA
www.mac84.net
Hi JKCalhoun , I have a European version bought in Nov 2025 which works with the attached original Kodak FW for H2324148BK Series. Might work for you too. Good luck.
Oh interesting! Let us know @JKCalhoun if this works for you, if so, this may be a new model "D" variant.

Also, I finally opened the replacement unit I got in January, the serial number is:

K3124148bk00221

I can dump this to see if it's a "newer" version too.
 
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