8mm Forum: Good screen material for video transfer

This is topic Good screen material for video transfer in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Mike Carro (Member # 933) on November 04, 2008, 11:35 AM:

I want to make some film to video transfers. However my projector does not have enough brightness to light a normal sized screen. So I want the image to be only about a foot wide so it's nice and bright. Trouble is with that small width I can "see" the screen in the transfer. Is there a material that will virtually disappear?
Thanks

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on November 04, 2008, 11:36 AM:

Formica has always worked very well for me.

Posted by Mike Carro (Member # 933) on November 04, 2008, 12:13 PM:

Even at such a small size?

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on November 04, 2008, 12:55 PM:

Some folks swear by a sheet of white paper like used in a copy machine or computer printer. They tape it to the wall and bring the projector in close.

I've always used my matte projection screen for transfers and had no problems, but the surface of this screen is very smooth.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on November 05, 2008, 12:06 PM:

A couple of options cheaply had at our local CVS Pharmacy (which has oddly enough replaced the old 5 & 10 concept): white posterboard at $1 per sheet, 22 x 28 inches; even whiter and more opaque is the "foam" board, which is coated with a plastic white surface meant to receive lettering, and is about $5 per sheet and much brighter.

The trick on any of these is to find a sheet with zero surface flaws. Then you'll never see a surface texture again.

Posted by Mike Carro (Member # 933) on November 05, 2008, 01:16 PM:

Size "does" matter in this case. I will try the poster board. I probably should get a bigger projector so I can use a larger screen. I've been trying some semi-opaque material from an art store but again I can see the texture. I like the ease of using the semi-trasparent material because I can get dead on, although it takes a little bit more room. What I would really like to get is the prism type deal so I can focus right on the frame through lenses. Can't seem to find a supply house for this or even a schematic to make one. Anyone have any leads?
thanks

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on November 05, 2008, 04:17 PM:

It's interesting how there are so many variables to take into consideration, even with a topic like this. I'm learning everyday!

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on November 08, 2008, 02:20 PM:

Yes, a piece of formica mounted to a flat board (so it can't bend) is ideal. Get a piece about 4x4, zoom the projector to make the smallest image possible and physically move the projector until you use most of that 4x4 screen surface. You will get the best focus this way and it permits you to sit your camera right beside the projector (mine usually sits just to the left of the reels and just slightly over...as close as possible) so that you don't have any keystoning.

The results are quite impressive. I used a Panasonic DVX-100 set at 24P with a 2 bladed shutter.

Posted by Mike Carro (Member # 933) on November 08, 2008, 06:08 PM:

Yeah, but that's my problem. If I go out to say 4x4 then I have too little light and the transfer looks like crap. I'm trying to get an approximate 1 foot picture for brightness - and therein lies my dilemma.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on November 09, 2008, 05:08 PM:

Well Brad, being the consummate professional that he is, knows what he's talking about. My 2c is that I wouldn't go any smaller than a 2-foot wide picture. Sorry, Mike, but if your equipment isn't able to handle that for brightness, you'll probably have to come up with a brighter projector or a 3-chip video camera if you want quality results. See, rats, there is no free lunch after all...

Posted by Mike Carro (Member # 933) on November 09, 2008, 10:14 PM:

Three chip cameras I have. But you're right about the brighter projector.
For standard def I'm currently using an XL2.

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