DC20 Software Pack

There are two programs written by myself (Oliver.Hartmann@t-online.de):
DC20Term transfers the pictures out of the camera and stores they as raw data files - like the change for a new film.
DC2toTGA converts those raw data files to standard image files - like the development of the film.

So you get the pictures out of your camera as quick as possible and you are ready for the next shots. Later, to get the best results, you can convert the raw data files to standard image files as often you like.

The actual versions of both programs are available for DOS, Win16, Win32 and Linux.
See: http://home.t-online.de/home/oliver.hartmann

Kodak DC20 Terminal: DC20Term

For the first time, you can just plug in the camera and dump all the images out of it - only with one keystroke. No answering millions of questions with the mouse, and all the tedious work in the twain module and the image software, to finally end up the files in one directory.

Features:

very quick and simple to use
runs on any DOS computer (e.g. an old portable)
transfers all images from camera to disk in batch mode
supports all camera functions (e.g. res change, erase, etc.)
stores images in raw data format (like inside the camera) - so you can save a lot of disk space
automatic retry fixes 'Wrong data' errors
works on all DOS machines down to XTs (as HP 200LX)
minimized code size
S command shows shutter speed and aperture
X command for download with exit (batch mode)
V option for time-lapse videos
Version 2.0 or later now works with DC20 and DC25

See the short User's Guide!

DC2-to-TGA-File-Converter: DC2toTGA

After use of DC20Term you want to see your pictures.
DC2toTGA converts the raw data files to a standard image format (Targa).

See the short User's Guide!

Features:

simple to use
can convert all files in batch mode
a lot of options to get optimal images
needs no camera to run
as DOS, Win16 and Win32 application available
provides 375*496 images
you can get better results (compared to the KODAK Twain Module V1.0)!

Tips for DC20Term users

The program reads the data bytes sending by the camera via polling. Since the camera provides no handshake signals, this is a real time job and could go wrong in a multitasking environment. Maybe you must reduce the baud rate to avoid communication problems.

Troubleshooting:

Best environment for the DOS version dc20term.exe is plain DOS
Best interface is a hardware buffered com port (16550 UART with FIFO). Use Option -F with the DOS version.
If there is only a 8250 UART the maximum baud rate depends on your system speed. Use option -B to find the optimum.
If you want to use the DOS program in a multitasking environment (like MS-Windows), run it in a high priority DOS-Box (e.g. through PIF). Full screen mode works much better than a DOS window.
Pay attention to correct parameter settings. If you start without any parameter it works well in most cases (com port parameter is essential if not equal to COM1). See 'Syntax Examples' below.

Syntax Examples:

DC20TERM -B57600 -C2 -F
means:
- baud rate: 57,600
- com port: 2
- looking for a 16550 UART (com port with FIFO)
Option -F:
without this option a FIFO is ignored,
with -F the program test the com port for a FIFO - if a FIFO will be found, it will be used and there is a note 'xxx baud (using FIFO)' on the first line - if no FIFO will be found you get the message 'xxx baud (no FIFO found)' on the first line.
default values are -B9600, -C1, ignore FIFO
In most cases it works well, but with 9600 baud the picture download takes some minutes.
I use the program with these parameters:
DC20TERM -B115200 -F
It works well (also under Win95) and the download of a high resolution picture (124,928 byte) takes about 15 seconds.
Option -V (version 1.43 or higher):
DC20TERM -V100
- takes 100 pictures in time-lapse video mode
- actions: erase, take picture, download, erase, take picture, ... and so on
- frame rate depends on baud rate
batch processing:
DC20TERM <cmd.txt
or
DC20TERM -C2 -B115200 -F <cmd.txt
- cmd.txt should contain the keystroke commands
- D command will not work in batch mode => use X command (version 1.43 or higher)

Tips for DC2toTGA users

Versions before 1.40 convert only high resolution .dc2 files.
Version 1.40 or later now converts high and low res pictures.

The images created with the Kodak software (or the Chinon software) and the output of DC2toTGA often differ. The main reason is the higher contrast of the Kodak images. You can get quite similar results with the parameter -v0.65. But you lose a lot of details in the shadows. That's why I set the gamma default to 0.5. Another difference is the color adjustment: Try changing of red factor (e.g. to 0.7 or 0.75) or blue factor (e.g. 0.9).

Syntax Examples:

DC2toTGA -a
will convert all files stored with DC20term (e.g. DC_001.DC2 to DC_008.DC2)
DC2toTGA my_pic1
will convert MY_PIC1.DC2
DC2toTGA -x25
will convert the file DC_025.DC2
DC2toTGA -x4 -a
will convert DC_004.DC2 and all files up to DC_999.DC2 (if exist)
DC2toTGA -a -v0.7
will convert all files (see above) using a gamma value of 0.7 (more contrast)
DC2toTGA -o0
no finishing (sharpen)

In most cases the default values are good enough. If the resulting image looks bad, start again with different settings for saturation, gamma value or norm_percentage.

Homepage: http://home.t-online.de/home/oliver.hartmann