Digitization
X-CAGO converts original archives into searchable, structured digital files. OCR, clipping, and tagging make content easy to search while preserving every detail.
Transform Archives into Searchable Knowledge
X-CAGO transforms historical content into high-quality, searchable digital archives. Books, newspapers, microfilm, audio, and video are carefully scanned and optimized, then processed with OCR to convert images into text. Clipping and tagging enable structured JSON or XML outputs, allowing researchers to perform precise, granular searches – finding specific articles, family announcements, or illustrations rather than entire pages – while preserving every detail of the originals.
Digitization of Historic Content
Digitizing historical content is a delicate process that turns physical archives into accessible digital formats while preserving their value as “eyewitnesses of their time”. Historical archives, including books, manuscripts, newspapers, maps, microfiche, audio and video tapes, photographs, slides, and other paper or media formats, can be meticulously digitized using specialized scanning or conversion methods to capture every detail, producing digital files that faithfully replicate and safeguard the originals.
Optimization of Content
After scanning, historical images can be further optimized to improve clarity, usability, and accessibility. This includes leveling or deskewing to straighten pages, cropping to remove borders or unwanted areas, and adjusting brightness, contrast, or color balance to enhance readability. Additional files can be created in different formats such as PDF, JPEG, or TIFF for archival, distribution, or online access. These steps produce clean, accurate digital copies that are ready for analysis, distribution, or multi-channel use.
OCRing and Clipping
To make scanned images searchable, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is employed and the content is clipped. OCR rapidly converts images into text, utilizing internal dictionaries and statistical logic to correct errors common in historical typography. Afterwards the clipping and tagging of content is possible to create JSON or XML output. This post-processing is crucial, as it allows researchers to perform granular searches – locating specific family announcements or illustrations rather than just retrieving a full page or scan.
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Frequently Asked Questions – Digitisation Services
What does your digitisation service involve?
Our digitisation solutions transform physical archives into high‑quality digital files. This includes carefully scanning books, newspapers, microfilm, audio and video tapes, photographs, slides, and other media, then processing them so the content becomes fully searchable and structured for digital use.
What formats can you deliver after digitisation?
After scanning and optimization, we can deliver files in formats such as XML, JSON, PDF, JPEG, TIFF, MP4, Uncompressed or Lossless formats and many more depending on your needs. These formats support digital access, distribution, analysis, or integration with other systems.
How do you make digitised content searchable?
We use optical character recognition (OCR) to convert scanned images into text, and then apply clipping and tagging so individual articles, announcements, and illustrations are identified and structured. This allows precise, granular search across your content instead of only full-page results.
For audio and video content, we can apply speech-to-text conversion, turning spoken words into searchable text. Once transcribed, entity recognition and other AI enhancements can be applied, including translations, summaries, and metadata enrichment, making your multimedia content as accessible and actionable as text-based material.
Can you digitise different kinds of media besides paper archives?
Yes. In addition to printed materials, we digitise microfilm, audio and video tapes, photographs, slides, and other non‑paper formats, preserving their detail and making all content digitally accessible.
What is the benefit of digitising historical or legacy content?
Digitisation preserves fragile originals and turns them into accessible, searchable digital assets. Publishers and researchers can easily locate specific stories, illustrations, or historical data long after the original materials would otherwise deteriorate.
What happens if historical content is not digitised?
If historical content isn’t digitised, it is at risk of physical deterioration over time. Paper can yellow, tear, or become brittle, and items like books, newspapers, or microfilm may develop mold, water damage, or fading. Digitisation preserves the content digitally, ensuring it remains accessible, safe, and searchable even if the original materials deteriorate.
Do you work with partners for scanning?
Yes, we also collaborate with trusted partners worldwide, especially when content cannot be shipped due to insurance or preservation restrictions. This ensures secure, professional digitisation even for sensitive or fragile content.
How is digitised content optimized for quality and usability?
After scanning, images are optimized by adjusting brightness, contrast, and alignment, and by cropping or deskewing pages for the best clarity. This ensures readability and quality whether the output is for human viewing or further automated processing.
We can also apply complete digital restoration, repairing damaged pages, removing stains, correcting faded text or images, and restoring the original appearance as closely as possible. This guarantees that even fragile or deteriorated originals are preserved in high-quality digital form.