Modding the Kodak Reels 8mm Film Digitizer (Firmware Hack)

[omega]

Good news, I now have Type-A, Type-B and Type-C Reelz/Reels scanners in my possession. While I intend to find additional extensions, I will catch the other units up first. Also have new lenses arrivng today.

View attachment 20806

 

[omega]

Hi,
how do I know what version of the machine I have? Is it A, B or C? I thought it was the first letter of the serial number I have C1725148BK00237. But when I see numbers starting with H, it must be different.
Thanks a lot for the answer.

 

[ThePhage]

Hello, greetings to all the handy people here on the forum.
Today I picked up the shipment of my Kodak v.2 number C1725148BK00237.
I tried to search for new firmware on the website https://mac84.net, but I got the answer that Your serial number was NOT found. So I don't know whether to upload the recommended version B or wait to see if it appears directly for my Kodak.
But that's not what bothers me so much now.
I started trying it out on old black and white film right away. But I'm embarrassed by the quality of the shift. Some frames jump and some even have a "split" image. There is a dividing line between the frames in the middle.
When projecting, the image jumps and it's impossible to watch.
¨Can anyone advise me how to remove the jumping?
Thank you very much to everyone for the advice.
Please excuse my English, it's just a translator.

Can you share sample video footage that displays the issue?

I've had some older film that is warped/cupped to the point where the sprockets are not properly distanced and the pin is having a hard time advancing the film properly, requiring me to manually "pull" the film through and hope that it's able to grab and advance it further.

Also, an unrelated intermittent issue with the synchronization of film advancing and image shutter is experienced by many users (causing some stutter/jumpiness/distortion visible in the top area of some frames. 0dan0 was reportedly able to address this in one of the more recent firmware versions.

 

[omega]

Can you share sample video footage that displays the issue?

I've had some older film that is warped/cupped to the point where the sprockets are not properly distanced and the pin is having a hard time advancing the film properly, requiring me to manually "pull" the film through and hope that it's able to grab and advance it further.

Also, an unrelated intermittent issue with the synchronization of film advancing and image shutter is experienced by many users (causing some stutter/jumpiness/distortion visible in the top area of some frames. 0dan0 was reportedly able to address this in one of the more recent firmware versions.

Hopefully this piece will suffice as an example.
Edit
I just tried a normal 8mm and it came through fine. No skipping. It looks like a problem with the film.

 

[0dan0]

Hopefully this piece will suffice as an example.
Edit
I just tried a normal 8mm and it came through fine. No skipping. It looks like a problem with the film.


View attachment 22551

If that is happening on stock firmware, on all film reels (without sprocket damage), just seek a replacement. This is not some that is fixed with a firmware change.