CPU Usage

[raydeon]

I am scanning slides using a Nikon CoolscanV.
During the scanning process, the CPU usage is 100%, and all operations are very slow, almost to a standstill untill the scanning is complete, which lasts several minutes.
Is there anything I can do, like upgrade something on my computer?
I have a Dell, Pentium 4, 2.26 GHz with 768 MB Ram.

 

[benstt]

I am scanning slides using a Nikon CoolscanV.
During the scanning process, the CPU usage is 100%, and all operations are very slow, almost to a standstill untill the scanning is complete, which lasts several minutes.
Is there anything I can do, like upgrade something on my computer?
I have a Dell, Pentium 4, 2.26 GHz with 768 MB Ram.

Assuming you're using USB 2.0, and that is working fine, the thing to watch for is the cleaning settings.

If you're using a cleaning process like digital ice, this is done in software. The scanner will make at least two passes on the picture (regular, and infrared I believe), then compare these two copies of the image to try to clean up dust specks, etc.

So, it is very memory intensive, especially if you try to scan at high resolutions. I'd look at cranking down the resolution, turning off cleaning, etc, to see if it makes a difference.

 

[loco2.0]

I am scanning slides using a Nikon CoolscanV.
During the scanning process, the CPU usage is 100%, and all operations are very slow, almost to a standstill untill the scanning is complete, which lasts several minutes.
Is there anything I can do, like upgrade something on my computer?
I have a Dell, Pentium 4, 2.26 GHz with 768 MB Ram.

I'd also suggest seeking support from the OEM or a forum dedicated to similar products. LOL I was about to make suggestions, but then we'd just be shooting blanks for a while.

 

[Cobster]

Ummm, not much really, depending on the resolution you're scanning them at.
Coolscans film scanners are quite thorough in their job.
You won't be spitting them out like an assembly line.
Also, are you putting that ICE technology to work on every scan?
If so, that'll also add to your scan times.
Don't remember, but does this scanner do one neg at a time, meaning you have to feed it one neg?
Or does it take multiple negs at a time?

 

[raydeon]

I am aware of the increased in memory demand when using ICE and/or ROC/GEM, but most of the time I am scanning on 8 bits, without ICE or DEE, ROC/GEM and that is the basic condition I was refering to in my question.

I guess I have to live with the low processing speed. This is my winter project, scanning and cataloguing 2500 slides. A first pass selecting the most important ones, about 800 followed by the rest later.

 

[Cobster]

That is one big ass project, have fun with that.
I have a few slides I'd like to get scanned, but that's just something I'm avoiding to do. Even with a pretty fast setup that I have running now, no thanks. lol

 

[Never Compromised]

More RAM. You can never have enough RAM.

 

[Cobster]

Yep there is such a thing as too much RAM.
Never get more than 2 on XP.

 

[benstt]

I am aware of the increased in memory demand when using ICE and/or ROC/GEM, but most of the time I am scanning on 8 bits, without ICE or DEE, ROC/GEM and that is the basic condition I was refering to in my question.

I guess I have to live with the low processing speed. This is my winter project, scanning and cataloguing 2500 slides. A first pass selecting the most important ones, about 800 followed by the rest later.

How big are the output files ending up? I was doing a project with relatively small output files (1.5MB JPG's, 7MB TIF's) and that was workable speed-wise with a PIII 1Ghz with 1GB RAM.

I figured I would scan this way, store the negatives in sleeves, and go back if there was something special I ever wanted to try to capture finer.

 

[MarkII]

I am aware of the increased in memory demand when using ICE and/or ROC/GEM, but most of the time I am scanning on 8 bits, without ICE or DEE, ROC/GEM and that is the basic condition I was refering to in my question.

I guess I have to live with the low processing speed. This is my winter project, scanning and cataloguing 2500 slides. A first pass selecting the most important ones, about 800 followed by the rest later.

Are you by chance storing the images to something like a lacie HD? That can slow the process down quite a bit. Other than that, get more ram and trun off all system processing that doesn't need to be on in the background.

Btw..not sure how pricey this is to have done off site. I had a whack of them done a few years back and it wasn't that expensive.

M2

 

[Cobster]

...where?
I know of one place near the DVP (forgot the name), near John St. and DVP.
Very pricey.

 

[somedude]

quad core

well if you feel like changing your motherboard and cpu, you can always get a dual or a quad core

quad core? is there such thing available in the market? where is it available?

 

[Cobster]

Just by doing a search, http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/26/amd_ruiz_revelations/

 

[raydeon]

That is one big ass project, have fun with that.
I have a few slides I'd like to get scanned, but that's just something I'm avoiding to do. Even with a pretty fast setup that I have running now, no thanks. lol

A huge project....which I have avoided for many years. It has to be done, I have a whole family life history on those slides, and I want to pass it on before it gets too late. Having it done commercially is out of my reach, like $ 1.50 and up per slide.

 

[raydeon]

well if you feel like changing your motherboard and cpu, you can always get a dual or a quad core

I am considering that option. The problem is I have a DELL comp. Not easy to substitute.

 

[Cobster]

Out of sheer curiosity, exactly how long is each scan taking (dpi maxed?), ICE settings in play?

 

[raydeon]

How big are the output files ending up? I was doing a project with relatively small output files (1.5MB JPG's, 7MB TIF's) and that was workable speed-wise with a PIII 1Ghz with 1GB RAM.

I figured I would scan this way, store the negatives in sleeves, and go back if there was something special I ever wanted to try to capture finer.

I am scanning positives, not negatives.
My output files are 67.5 MB at 8 bits depth (TIFF format), and 133 MB at 14 bits.

 

[Cobster]

67.5MB???!!! TIFF FORMATS??? then 133 14BITS??? lol
Errr, I'm hoping you're going to store these on an external harddrive and not DVD.

 

[raydeon]

Are you by chance storing the images to something like a lacie HD? That can slow the process down quite a bit. Other than that, get more ram and trun off all system processing that doesn't need to be on in the background.

Btw..not sure how pricey this is to have done off site. I had a whack of them done a few years back and it wasn't that expensive.

M2

Storing on a slave HD.
All other processing is off.
Very expensive, and subject to the individual interpretation of the person doing the scanning as to what the end result should be. Not a viable proposition for me.

 

[raydeon]

Out of sheer curiosity, exactly how long is each scan taking (dpi maxed?), ICE settings in play?

It depends on the slide; details, colors, complexity.

Average time at 14 bits with SIE and ICE (SIE is pretty well mandatory and does not add any significant time) is 7 to 10 minutes including the preview scanning and the time to save the results on HD. I have not decided yet on the final storage form. CD's is out of question, only 5 slide per CD at 14 bits and very slow to burn.
Maybe DVD's where I could store 30 to 35 slides, but extremely slow to burn.
I am leaning towards an external USB HD.