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

rdesros

New Tinkerer
Aug 24, 2025
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Hey all i've been very busy w/my modded wolverine (it has a 4000x3000 capture capability and is heavily modified.. its a Hawkeye version)
That said, this is what is possible:

These are all scanned on my device and then using my workflow to clean them all up.. enjoy!

Hi. Are you using Topaz video AI ? Starlight model ?
 

rdesros

New Tinkerer
Aug 24, 2025
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This is an example of reduced compression artifact and adding grain similar to original. All done with Topaz Video AI.
Removecompressionartifactsandaddinggrain.png
 
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wnt2fly

New Tinkerer
Dec 23, 2024
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Hi. Are you using Topaz video AI ? Starlight model ?
No. Starlight is not for starting with hi-res; it is for low res. I use a variety of filters in virtual dub, and then I utilize a few settings in topaz...
 

ThePhage

New Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2024
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This is an example of reduced compression artifact and adding grain similar to original. All done with Topaz Video AI.
View attachment 23071
I really like the reduce compression feature of Topaz Video AI. Based on this, I finally have taken a look at it's trial version. I have and like Neat Video NR, but I may splurge on TVAI to help reduce compression artifacting. Even with 0Dan0's work in improving and optimizing the bitrate via firmware, there are still post-processing improvements that I am interested in.
 

rdesros

New Tinkerer
Aug 24, 2025
12
7
3
I really like the reduce compression feature of Topaz Video AI. Based on this, I finally have taken a look at it's trial version. I have and like Neat Video NR, but I may splurge on TVAI to help reduce compression artifacting. Even with 0Dan0's work in improving and optimizing the bitrate via firmware, there are still post-processing improvements that I am interested in.
Don't forget the 24p upscaling. It's really good. It really make a difference when i playback a video with Infuse on Apple TV. My TV switch to 24p playback.
 

ThePhage

New Tinkerer
Oct 30, 2024
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Don't forget the 24p upscaling. It's really good. It really make a difference when i playback a video with Infuse on Apple TV. My TV switch to 24p playback.
Yes, so far I’ve found good frame rate conversion results with the re-time Speed Warp (better) setting in Resolve. I denoise before that, but add grain/texture after so that the texture is unique to each of the 24fps.

Has anyone compared Speed Warp to TVAI’s 24p upscale option?
 

rdesros

New Tinkerer
Aug 24, 2025
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Another test with 6.6 firmware. Sadly, Youtube does not optimize compression with grain.
 
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0dan0

Active Tinkerer
Jan 13, 2025
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Another test with 6.6 firmware. Sadly, Youtube does not optimize compression with grain.
Youtube is really bad with HD resolution sources. So I upscale from 1600x1200 to 3840x2160 with pillar-boxing, the compression is a lot better, just will Premiere (no Topaz.) My most recent reels:
 
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0dan0

Active Tinkerer
Jan 13, 2025
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Vimeo does better. This is a very demanding Tri-X negative scan
Even Vimeo takes the source 252MByte 1600x1200 file down to 44MBytes for 1080.
 
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rdesros

New Tinkerer
Aug 24, 2025
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3
Vimeo does better. This is a very demanding Tri-X negative scan
Even Vimeo takes the source 252MByte 1600x1200 file down to 44MBytes for 1080.
Vimeo. I almost fogot about it. My account still exist and i uploaded videos 14 years ago. Gonna try with my lastest test. I'm really impress by the grain.
 

Asielus

New Tinkerer
Apr 14, 2025
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3
I am successfully running the upgraded firmware. Great work!
Now I have another problem:
When capturing super-8 after some time the image becomes unstable at the bottom. It happens with with all super-8 (big) reels, like the physical film wasn't sitting still during the framegrab. Does anybody know how to solve this problem?
 

0dan0

Active Tinkerer
Jan 13, 2025
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The jitter does vary between units and firmware versions. I have made some changes to may help, coming soon.
 
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Asielus

New Tinkerer
Apr 14, 2025
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3
The jitter does vary between units and firmware versions. I have made some changes to may help, coming soon.
That would be great!

Would it help to just to slow down the machine a bit, to make sure the film lays still during capture? (Am pretty sure you have thought about that already). Also, the jitter happens sometimes, is it random or does it have to do with tension differences depending on the amount of windings left on each spool.
 

omega

New Tinkerer
Jul 29, 2025
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My experience is that the shaking is caused by dried or poorly cut film. The gripper on dried film does not fit exactly into the perforation. On poorly cut film, the gripper does not have the strength to advance the film. Both of these problems are indicated by a loud clicking sound.
 

0dan0

Active Tinkerer
Jan 13, 2025
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1758583972892.png


v6.8 - New firmware hacks for all Kodak Reels versions (A, B & C -- attached)

We now have white balance control for Kelvin and Tint, so full manual. We also have a RGB Histogram to help with you white balancing. The white balance control in pictures settings will only change the red to blue balance (Kelvin) with 9 discrete settings. Out side of the picture settings, even during capture, you can change the tint (green) by a longer press in Left or Right buttons (decrease or increase the green.) The green tint will be remember, even beyond a firmware update.


So many other small changes. I'm no longer seeing jitter on my hardware, but I have some code in there to help, just in case. It seems I skipped v6.7 (or never released it.)

Several of the extensions are now in C code, so let me know if you want to see that.
 

Attachments

  • FWDV280-TypeA-V6.8-0dan0.zip
    5.5 MB · Views: 37
  • FWDV280-TypeB-V6.8-0dan0.zip
    5.5 MB · Views: 36
  • FWDV280-TypeC-V6.8-0dan0.zip
    5.5 MB · Views: 37
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eyeidea

New Tinkerer
Jun 5, 2025
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I see everyone is still here being awesome and helping each other get better film scans.
Can't wait to try the new @0dan0 FW and get back to scanning all my film!
 
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RyPow

New Tinkerer
Sep 25, 2025
1
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3
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Another new member here, brought to the forum by the incredible efforts to make the most of the Reels. So thankful for your work!

6.8 firmware successfully flashed to my Type C unit with no issues, and new lens and hardware are on their way. The results with my family's 8mm films from the 1950s-60s are already fantastic so I am looking forward to the improved optics. My Reels seems to behave quite well with film handling so far (Kodachrome and Kodachrome II), maybe I am one of the lucky ones. I recently bought the unit used locally, the original owner allegedly only used it on about 10 Super8 reels and did not modify it.

0dan0, thank you also for suggesting the Forward2Me service. I've used auction proxy services in Japan before, it is great to have a forwarding option for UK and US purchases (I am in Canada).
 
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