RE: dpi setting for Primax Colorado 600p computer scanner?

Question

I accidentally changed the setting for the dpi on my scanner and now I can't figure out what the setting needs to be. The scans come out grainy at 1200MB. I tried setting it at a higher dpi, 2400, and it states that I am scanning at too many MB. Any suggestions? Could it be something else that is wrong with the scanner?

Answer 1

You are attempting to scan at a resolution that is higher than the capability of your scanner.

The Primax Colorado 600p is only capable of scanning at 300dpi. Above that you get to interpolation the process whereby software essentially "fills in" the gap. This is the equivalent of using a magnifying glass to look at a printed photograph. You get a closer look at it but you're not going to make out the threads and stitches on the clothing nor the hair in the person's nostrils. You get a larger image but don't increase the details = interpolation.

With the Primax Colorado 600P, scan at its maximum hardware capability of 300dpi--anything and everything. BW. Color photos, etc.

The graininess of your pictures could be a result of the scanning optics. Color capture chips (CCD chips) or CIS (LED) circuitry, etc. It's a pretty old scanner and some were simply made that way.

It could also be the matte finish on your photographs. It could also be the moire (dotted patterns) on your print material (magazines, comics, other printed materials use this method).

You can always "soften" out the graininess in your image editing program. Despeckle. Noise removal. Demoire. Gausian Blur. Etc.

Answer 2

DPI settings depend on what you are going to do with the image being scanned. For web applications or any images on a computer screen the max DPI you need is 96. For better quality pictures that you want to print use 200 to 300 DPI. For OCR use 300 DPI.

When you scan at 1200 DPI and higher you are into serious photo reproduction and the scanner uses a process of interpolation to guess what the dots should look like. It also creates huge files (that is why you are getting the too large MB messages ... you may not have enough space on your hard drive).

Also, if you are printing your pictures, the DPI of your printer governs the setting you should use. Anything over the printer's DPI capacity is just wasted file space.

Best bet is to experiment a little and use the lowest DPI setting that gives you satisfactory results.

Answer 3

Right click and click properties. Press tab 4 times and then press the right arrow key 4 times. Push the tab 7 times and press enter. This should bring up a new box. If you can see the DPI setting, change it. If not press the up key and then press enter. If it doesn't automatically change, press windows key, up, and then enter twice. That should restart your computer.

Answer 4

try 200 dpi (dots per inch) is picture quality