If there is one thing, we here at Genus know, its scanners, with over 50 years of experience in the industry of capturing we have gained a reputation of reliability and quality. So, we feel more than comfortable introducing you to one scanner that doesn’t just comply with modern imaging standards but exceeds them: The Zeutschel OS Q0
Modular and Versatile Design
The Zeutschel OS Q0 is available as a standard unit and now also as an HQ (which incorporates a gigapixel camera with a larger sensor, enabling higher resolution and image quality compared to the standard model). This is one of the latest scanners from Zeutschel, and moves beyond what was thought technically possible in archival capturing. The scanner is modular and includes a flat-top table with a glass press for flat material, or a complete range of book cradles for bound material. This means the scanner’s configuration can be adjusted to meet your unique handling needs. Whether it’s irreplaceable heritage assets or cumbersome maps and catalogues, the ergonomic design of the OS Q0 allows for safe and effective digitisation of extremely varied media.
Compliance with High Standards
One of the scanner’s most important features is its full compliance with the highest standards and guidelines for digitising cultural heritage materials. It delivers exceptional quality, achieving:
- ISO 19264-1 Quality Level A
- FADGI 4-Star Digitisation Standards
- Full Metamorfoze Rating
The Frontline of Imaging Technology
RGB CMOS Sensor
The sensor in the OS Q0 is a single-line sensor and, for the first time, an RGB CMOS, controlled using 100% of the available pixels. In our last blog, we discussed how area sensors only use 50% of green pixels and 25% of blue and red pixels, requiring the shortfall to be interpolated. Not only is there no colour interpolation with the OS Q0, but also no resolution interpolation.
The OS Q0 offers an optical resolution of 600ppi (7.1 lp/mm), while the HQ model can achieve 1000ppi (10+ lp/mm) both of which being achievable across all sizes of content up to A0, providing a perfect balance between image quality and file size. This makes the scanner flexible for different quality requirements. The sales brochures from all Manufacturers state resolution, however, what they don’t state is if this is optical, interpolated or created by pixel shifting. Always ask and if in doubt ask for an image of a test target chart captured at full capture area. Genus or any reputable distributor will analyse it if you do not have the capabilities to do so. FADGI states ‘’Ask manufacturers and vendors for actual test results, rather than relying on the specifications provided in product literature, as performance claims in product literature are often overstated’’
CMOS Technology and Custom Lenses
Incorporating a CMOS sensor array, the OS Q0 is the first scanner from Zeutschel that gives the operator the ability to adjust F-stops and exposure times, allowing for total control and easy adjustment of depth of field.
The lenses for the OS Q0 and HQ models are custom-made by Schneider Kreuznach. Both units come with a zoom lens as standard, which helps preserve the integrity of the original material.
Exceptional Lighting and Image Quality
To enable fast calibration, the OS Q0 integrates hardware shutters for both black level compensation and automatic white reference. It also automatically utilizes ICC profiles for scanning with or without glass.
As capture areas become larger, achieving consistent illumination can be difficult. The OS Q0’s adjustable intensity focused spectral lighting, with a CRI of >97, ensures near-perfect homogeneity across the entire capture area. The lighting’s spectral characteristics match the sensor’s spectral sensitivity, resulting in low noise values when analysed with software such as the Zeutschel QM Tool.
Moreover, the lighting is only active during the capture process, consuming less than 0.98Lxh during idle times. This, coupled with the lighting system’s back-to-front illumination (as opposed to conventional side lighting), eliminates shadows and reflections.
Highest Standard of Productivity
The Zeutschel OS Q0 also sets the bar for production-scale book scanning. It utilises true parallel scanning in both directions, as well as multi-thread capabilities, allowing operators to scan and save images simultaneously.
Additionally, a Camera Link interface provides fast data transmission between the scanner and PC, further improving processing efficiency while prioritizing quality.
Connectivity and Output Quality
Connectivity is via Camera Link interface, the internationally recognised standard of scientific and industrial video products, essentially guaranteeing rapid and stable internal image processing at 96 (3 x 32) bit depth.
Output is either 48-bit colour (with 24-bit also possible) or 16-bit grayscale (with 8-bit possible). While this sounds impressive, the real difference between 24 bit and 48 is night and day.
The immense increase leaves the user with access to an additional 28112 shades of colour, for reference, that is roughly eight times the estimated number of cells in the human body. Below is also a graphic that demonstrates the visual difference between 24-bit and 48-bit colour.
Large File Handling and Storage
To accommodate the large files that are possible with high-resolution scanning, the OS Q0 has an option to create Big TIFF files. Traditionally, TIFF files have been limited in size to 4GB, but Big TIFF allows much larger files to be saved, supporting higher quality and larger images.
Omniscan Software and Quality Control
To ensure consistent image quality, Omniscan capture/workflow software (supplied with the scanner) allows integration with the QM Tool. This feature monitors quality throughout the entire capture process.
Omniscan can also be complemented with Omnipro for offline work. Not only does Omnipro come with all the essential features required for digitisation projects, but it also includes:
- Metadata creation and ingestion
- Barcode scanning
- Bilateral filters for noise reduction
- Superior OCR module
Intelligent Stitching and New Features
One of the new features in the OS Q0 range is Intelligent Stitching for Oversized Originals. Historical documents may not always conform to modern sizes, but Intelligent Stitching automatically stitches related parts of an image during finalisation in batch mode. It searches for similarities in the different scans created and applies the stitch. Once this is done, automatic brightness and colour adjustments are made, resulting in a seamless and high-quality final image.
Zeutschel OS Q0: The New Benchmark for Quality and Productivity
The OS Q0 range sets the bar for large format scanners, with its outstanding imaging technology, modular design, and quality controls. If you’re looking for a scanner that delivers exceptional quality and meets the demands of modern digitisation, the Zeutschel OS Q0 is the perfect solution.
Join the growing community of OS Q users worldwide and discover how this scanner can transform your digitisation workflow.
For more information, or if you’d like to inquire about purchasing, please contact Genus.
