By Grace Rivas


A microfiche scanner is used to scan thin transparent films that store information. The films are miniature, and the most common method of reading the films is to use the machine to magnify the film and its information. These things are commonly found in libraries and museums. Any place that is interesting in preserving documents and images would benefit from the films because they have a longer life span than digital formats do.

Storing documents via microform is basically embedding documents on flat sheets of film made from polyester base. A film can store multiple small pages and the standard is one-hundred five millimeters by one-hundred forty-eight millimeters. That is about four by six inches.

Microfiches are difficult, if not, impossible to view with the naked eye. You must place the films in a scanner that will magnify and project your document for your viewing ease. The machines are basically simple scanners and projectors.

The viewer machines are quite expensive, and they can be commonly found in large institutions that like to preserve documents and historical context. Optical scanners can be utilized to convert the documents to digital formats that can be used on a computer. A small storage cabinet would be sufficient space to hold thousands of microfiches, which can contain around upwards of 10,000 pages of materials.

A good quality machine can be expensive, but surprisingly they are straightforward to operate. The machines require no software or digital formats. They operate as a standalone machine for a specific material. The materials which film is built of are stable, and if stored in a temperature controlled room, they films can last up to 500 years.

Opposed to compact discs, which only have an estimated life span of 75-100 years, the films are a much safer bet when it comes to storing data for endurance. Compact discs can last longer depending on the materials they are made of and how they are handled and stored. Computer based storage media is typically more delicate than films. Microfiches are typically easier and cheaper to replace when films are damaged.

The main disadvantages to using microfiches are that special equipment is required to view pages, and for this reason, it is not always practical to use these. The equipment required to view the pages are bulky, and are less common in the market than computers. Microfiches and the relative equipment used are considered unique and a rarity.

Microforms are best viewed in black and white contrast. For example, a professional photographer would not be complete in his profession using microforms and the machines for professional photography quality images. Microfilms with deep concentration in color would have fading damage over time with exposure to bright lights.

While the films are near impossible to view accurately without a microfiche scanner handy, the machines can be integrated with digital devices such as computers and data formats. Without a microfiche scanner, one has to travel to a location that has one for easy viewing, access, and control. With the right scanner, digital interchange is straightforward to use.




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