General Questions
Regular 8 and Super 8 differ by the type of reel they are on. The center hole on a reel of Regular is too small to fit a pencil. On Super 8 film, the center hole is almost as large as a dime. If your Super 8 has sound, it will have chocolate brown stripes along one or both edges of the film.
8mm has holes on only one side of the film, and isn’t as wide as a man’s index finger. 16mm has holes on both sides of the film and is slightly wider (though holes on only one side indicate it is silent 16mm film).
Results vary based on the process used to transfer the image.
The least desirable process, yielding the poorest quality result, is running the film on a projector and simply videotaping the screen. Telecine transfer, which captures the image at the lens, is better, but still yields a vague image.
We use the best quality process. We clean and recondition the film, using the same technique that motion picture studios use to restore archival footage and master prints. We then scan the film frame by frame, using a high definition 1080p optics system, working to capture color, contrast, and clarity.
And then we burn the results onto either a Gold Archival DVD or a Blu-Ray disc. The product is not copyrighted, which allows you to make copies for yourself later, if you want.
This is an attractive option for those who like to edit the footage themselves. Provide us with an external hard drive, and we can give you your avi/qt files for your own use.
Remember, though, that hard drives crash; be sure to back up your files.
Our services are conducted in-house, and your film will be handled only by our competent staff. No one takes a reel out of the office, and no one touches the film except one of our qualified video technicians.
In addition, we work on only one film in one space at a time, so there’s no chance of mixing up tapes. When your film is not being worked on, it is tied in a bag with your name on both the outside and the inside.
Our systems are very slow and gentle. There are no bright or hot bulbs, no sprockets or gears in our capture systems so your film cannot be damaged by the process.
The entire process can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the quality of the film and the time of year. We pay attention to detail and quality, so please be patient, but rush orders are always available at an additional cost.
It’s possible. We do use a gentle frame-by-frame scanning method, which can yield better-than-expected results, but the physical condition of the film will determine what we can actually do with it.
You can assess the quality of the film yourself by unrolling a spool and pulling the end straight out. If your film can withstand that simple test, it can probably survive the transfer process.
But also, look at the film across the width (from side to side). As film ages, it curls into itself. Is the film flat or curled? If it’s curled, pinch the film between your thumb and forefinger. Can the film be flattened without breaking? Is so, the film will transfer fine.
Please note that we never charge for films we cannot transfer.
Transferring sound is a two-step process. First, we capture the picture through our frame-by-frame method, and then we run the film through a projector to capture the sound. We then match sight and sound in our editing room. There is a slight risk of damage to the film, since the process requires running the film through a projector.
Absolutely. Once your film is transferred, we can edit it in whatever you like, add chapter buttons and titles, even add a special soundtrack, if you like. Do not hesitate to call us and discuss the look and feel you desire for your project.
We think so. Check out the samples available on our website and compare them to what “the other guys” are doing. Additional samples are available on request, when we first meet to discuss your project.