Hardcopy recordings of analog and digital images

The increase in the use of various imaging modalities demands higher quality and more efficacious analog image recordings. Laser electronic recordings with digital array prints of 4K X 5K X 12 bits using laser-sensitive film or paper are being evaluated. Dry silver paper recordings are being improved and evaluated. High resolution paper dot printers are being studied to determine their gray scale capabilities. The authors have conducted a study to evaluate the image quality, costs, clinical use, and acceptability of CT, MRI, DSA, digital radiography, and radionuclide images recorded by the seven different printers (three laser, three silver paper, and one dot) in comparison with conventional film recording. This paper describes the technical developments and instrumentation of digital laser film and analog paper recorders and presents the results of our study.