8mm Forum: "Best" Video Transfer System

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Topic: "Best" Video Transfer System

Alexa Alana
Film Handler

Posts: 15
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Registered: Mar 2016

posted April 14, 2016 12:25 AM

Hi everyone,
I am looking to transfer my 8MM films to video so I may share/view/edit them online. I see plenty of video transfer systems available on places such as eBay, but I am wondering what is the largest difference between systems. I have observed most work the same way, but I would like to get one that does not sacrifice a great amount of the overall quality of the film. I have a projector with a variable speed adjustment, so flickering won't be a problem. I know video transfer systems aren't the greatest, but the prices to transfer film to video + develop it are absurd. What do you all recommend and what have you had the best experience with?

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Will Trenfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 506
From: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK
Registered: Mar 2016

posted April 14, 2016 05:42 PM

Hi. I think the best quality is when the individual frames are captured one by one and then put together with software to produce a digital file. It costs a packet though. A few months ago, I converted all my family films to digital files. I'd bought a couple of Sankyo 1000s which have variable speed controls but ended up using an Eumig 501D without any. I positioned the projector 18" from a piece of white card. My old Panasonic VHS-C camcorder which has a direct video output was set at an angle of 45 degrees to the back of the projector with the lens protruding just before the front of the projector. I fed the output to a device which converted the analogue data to digital. I used VirtualDub to clean up the films and saved them as AVI files. The results have been very good, without flicker, bearing in mind that the footage is up to 50 years old. I've posted screen grabs to Facebook without any complaints.

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Janice Glesser
Film Goddess

Posts: 3468
From: Sunnyvale, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2011

posted April 14, 2016 06:06 PM

The variables involved with film transfer (telecine) are extensive. A specific answer to your question is extremely difficult. You should do research on this site and on the internet and pick a setup that matches the equipment you have and your DIY expertise. With the equipment you have mentioned you'll be looking for a real-time transfer solution. My recommendation would be a mirror and ground glass system.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOME-MOVIE-TRANSFER-TELECINE-Convert-Your-8mm-S8-Slides-to-Video-DVD-Digital-/252352226761?hash=item3ac15d65c9:m:mFVQov7Nk--Mh1S3Wc9UXHQ

Here is a response I made recently to another member asking the same question.

http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010474#000009

--------------------
Janice

"I'm having a very good day!"
Richard Dreyfuss - Let It Ride (1989).

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Will Trenfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 506
From: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK
Registered: Mar 2016

posted April 14, 2016 06:55 PM

Good post, Janice. I have a mirror/ground glass unit. I'll try to use it to capture the same family films again to see if the results from my projection onto a white card are better. I have to say though, that with one's own family films, you're more interested in the content rather than the quality.

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Alexa Alana
Film Handler

Posts: 15
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Registered: Mar 2016

posted April 15, 2016 03:57 AM

Thank you both for the feedback!
Will, I've looked into methods similar to yours, but I'm afraid I do not have enough time to create a set-up that will result in the best quality using your method. I've heard your method (or methods similar to yours if I remember correctly) require careful planning/measurements and a nice area to set it up. Correct me if I am wrong, since I have not done as much research as I would like to have.
Janice, thank you - I actually am not familiar with the mirror and ground glass system, but it looks like it will do what I need. I will read your other forum post, as well!
Hopefully this summer (when I am out of school), I can create a better set-up and figure out an ideal method for my needs. [Smile]

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