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

[Erwin]

Here is v7.2, a month more of tinkering. This adds more debugging, Qp level (showing the current encoding quality) and a live frame counter (mainly showing the 25 fps update rate.) When running the English language mode, "Tint" has been replaced with "Saturation".

Hacks relates to jitter, even less is running at encoder start.

Running C v7.2. Took a gamble and put a 50 year old reel in, about 30m super-8. Loaded in PC, start of clip was excellent. Came out with much better colors and detail than the "professional" scan done by my parents years ago (expensive back then).

However, towards the end I see "jitter" in the bottom of the frame. It slowly creeps in, observable after 1 minute or so and at the end is very obvious. I put jitter between quotes, because if I step through it frame by frame, it is NOT random. It has a very distinct pattern that repeats. A frame is shifted up at the bottom about 1/3, then 4 of frames okay, then again about 1/4 up, then 4 frames okay, then 1/8 up... and so forth until it repeats after 52 frames if I counted correctly. I can DM you a link to a clip if interested. This must be something software/electronic related.

 

[0dan0]

Anyone else seeing the jitter appear after the capture started correctly? I have never seen that, so I would like to see examples to understand if there is drift on some units and not others.

 

[Grandson]

Here is v7.2, a month more of tinkering. This adds more debugging, Qp level (showing the current encoding quality) and a live frame counter (mainly showing the 25 fps update rate.) When running the English language mode, "Tint" has been replaced with "Saturation".

Hacks relates to jitter, even less is running at encoder start.


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Hello 0dan0,

I have also tested the v7.2 firmware B.
The boot logo appears clearly visible, but unfortunately all function keys are still not working :-(

Is there anything I can do to help?
I would really like to test the firmware with a better frame rate.

 

[ThePhage]

Anyone else seeing the jitter appear after the capture started correctly? I have never seen that, so I would like to see examples to understand if there is drift on some units and not others.

I messaged you a link to a recent capture file that potentially demonstrates this. (7.1.1, model C, Super8, lens mod)

 

[Xanadude]

Hey all! I’m not as technically inclined with all the code stuff in the firmware I read here. So I was wondering if I may ask for help.

I’m an artist working on my documentary and digitizing 8 mm. I’m hoping to get better results with flashing the firmware

I have the RODREELS V2.0. The serial number is D2825148BK00713. I used the serial tool but it said out couldn’t be found.

i’m not sure if the serial number indicates which firmware to use.

Any help would be super appreciated!

 

[0dan0]

Hey all! I’m not as technically inclined with all the code stuff in the firmware I read here. So I was wondering if I may ask for help.

I’m an artist working on my documentary and digitizing 8 mm. I’m hoping to get better results with flashing the firmware

I have the RODREELS V2.0. The serial number is D2825148BK00713. I used the serial tool but it said out couldn’t be found.

i’m not sure if the serial number indicates which firmware to use.

Any help would be super appreciated!

Does it say "V2.0" on the back, or only in the About screen?

If the back looks like this:

it will be pretty safe to try either Type C (first) or Type B, the two most common "REELS" units. If the display is weird using C, try Type B.

However, if you rear ID plate looks different, maybe there is a fourth variation of the hardware. This would be a far greater risk.