Phone: 1-602-438-4381
16mm film to DVD
Learn more about 16mm film transfer.
Intro
A short intro video from our owner, Phil Thomas. Take the first steps toward getting decades worth of 8mm, 16mm, and Super 8 film transferred to a digital format. All of the information you need about cine film is right here on this page.
FAQs
Take some time to view the plethora of information about film, film transfer, and our business in the videos below.
What do I have?
This is one of the most asked questions in this business. Often the person sending the film is not the person that shot the film, so they have no idea what gauge of film they have. This video shows the difference between 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm film. It also shows an example of sound and silent film.
Is my film still good?
Most of the time we can transfer the film even if it has started to deteriorate. 16mm film that has started to go bad will have a strong odor of vinegar, may be wavy, or even U-shaped. Even if it shows some of these symptoms we highly recommend sending the film to us. We can usually work with it.
What size reels do I have?
This video goes into the sizes and lengths of the film reels giving examples of original boxes and the film reels themselves.
How do I organize my film?
If you have labels or an inventroy thats great, but if you don't there is no need to try to find out what is on them. Running your film through a projector puts your film at risk to damage that is not repairable. It is best to have it transferred in its entirety. Once the film is in a digital format it can be edited and written to a DVD in any order.
What about buying a projector?
This video explains where 16mm projectors can be obtained and why using a projector can be potentially harmful to your film. Most people have only one copy of their 16mm film and using an old projector can pose many problems like burning and chewing up you film.
Why not transfer it myself?
D.I.Y. transfer of 16mm film will never match the quality and reliability of the transfer services we offer. Watch this video and the one below it to learn why.
How do you transfer to DVD?
In this video we show you the equipment we use for transferring 16mm film and film in general to DVD. We are one of the few companies that will show you how we convert your film to digital media. No secrets, we are not hiding anything.
How do I edit the video?
There are many different software packages that allow you to edit the files direct form the DVDs once you have had your transfer done. In addition to different editing programs we talk about compression, quality, online video, competitor's quotes and price matching in this video.
16mm Film History
16 mm film was introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1923 as a cheap alternative to the classic amateur 35mm film format. During the 1920s, the format is often referred to as a subtype of the film by the professional sector. Initially oriented amateur market, Kodak hired Willard Beech Cook's 28 mm Pathescope American company to create the new 16 mm Kodascope Library. In addition to home movies, you can buy or rent movies from the library, one of the main aspects of the sale of this format. As it was intended for amateur use, 16 mm film is one of the first to use film formats acetate safety film base, and Kodak never manufactured nitrate film for the format because of the high flammability of the nitrate. 35 mm nitrate was dropped in 1952.