8mm Forum: Optical and magnetic tracks in 8mm

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Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 22, 2009, 08:49 AM:

The seller of this listing:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170324091772&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123

says

quote:
both optical and magnetic tracks.

after I asked about the sound format.....

Unfortunately it is a faded print according to him.

Anyone wants to take a risk to see how does both optical and magnetic were placed in this tiny cells and also the quality?

cheers

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 22, 2009, 09:04 AM:

This is VERY interesting. I happen to have the super 8 optical print of this film, and it hasn't faded a bit and have a very sharp image, so this 16MM no doubt looks as good and perhaps better.

I have seen a few 16MM prints with both optical and magnetic tracks, but since I don't know 16MM and they're sound capacities, I really can't say anything more.

Too bad its faded.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 22, 2009, 09:48 PM:

Please note: the above link used to be "Ten From Navarone", now it has changed to different film. Seems that the seller pull out the listing for some reason.

quote:
so this 16MM no doubt looks as good and perhaps better

Osi...that movie was 8mm !!!... so that's why it was interesting for me to know how those tiny cells could have both optical and magnetic track... [Cool]

cheers

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on April 22, 2009, 10:12 PM:

I might have mistaken.

I do have it in optical sound as a feature, and it does have excellent unfaded color ...

But it does not have magnetic track as well, just optical.

[Smile]

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on April 23, 2009, 03:02 AM:

Without seeing the original Ebay page, I am guessing that this was originally an optical only film and the owner has added a magnetic stripe where the balance stripe would be. He has then recorded on it from a video or DVD. But you would need a stereo or twin track projector capable of playing the magnetic track. I doubt very much if the magnetic track is on the same side as the optical one. Just a thought.

Graham S

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 23, 2009, 06:23 AM:

The item has been re-listed here

Still there is no picture of the actual item

regards,

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on April 23, 2009, 07:56 AM:

It was common on 16mm to have half the optical track covered with a stripe.

I have a copy of Tron on 16mm like this. The optical track is English and the Mag track is an alternative Lang.

I dont think this was ever done on Super8.

Kev.

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on April 23, 2009, 09:01 AM:

Kevin, do you know if there was ever a balance stripe on 16mm? And does that half-striping affect the optical track? ( I've avoided those prints on 16mm because of concerns about compromising the optical.)

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on April 23, 2009, 01:31 PM:

There were balance stripes on 16mm but never used for recording (no commercial equipment). The 50/50 tracks usually impact the optical track. If it's dual bilaterial area the stripe has to be laid down with precision or the stripe will cut peaks and introduce distortion. Cutting the track to 50 per cent of it's width (whether area or density) increases the noise since you have to turn up the amp to get the same volume.

These prints were commonly used where dual language prints were necessary (such as Fren/Eng for Canada and Span/Eng for Puerto Rico).

The optical track was english and the stripe carried the alternate language. The print could be resounded if the print hadn't been cut and thus would lose sync with the master.

John

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 24, 2009, 12:14 AM:

quote:
I dont think this was ever done on Super8.

Having seen the seller ID, i can be assured he is new to film. Moreover he is selling many movie stuffs.

So, because he listed it as super 8, then it must be super 8.

I'll ask again and want to get close-up photos of the cells.

cheers

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on April 24, 2009, 10:58 AM:

The seller just contacted me and says that the movie is magnetic sound only. He was supplied with wrong info.

Probably that was the reason why he pulled out the list and re-list it.

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