Phone: 1-602-438-4381
8mm film to DVD
Learn more about 8mm 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. 8mm 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 8mm projectors can be obtained and why using a projector can be potentially harmful to your film. Most people have only one copy of their 8mm 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 8mm 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 8mm 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.
8mm Film History
The format, initially known as Cine Kodak Eight, was developed by Kodak to provide a portable and cheaper alternative to 16mm film format introduced a decade earlier.
Standard 8 mm film stock consists of 16 mm film reperforated to have twice the usual number of perforations along its edges, but using the same size holes. This film was executed by the camera, exposing one side of the film only (the image size of standard 8 mm film is 4.8 mm x 3.5 mm). The coil was then reversed, and the film through to run again, exposing the other side. After processing the film was cut and spliced in the middle to give a roll of film 8 mm wide. The coil size standard for amateur use contained 25ft of film, making a total of 50 feet available for projection, the usual shooting speed of 16 frames per second, which would amount to about three and a half minutes of film.
The format was an immediate success, but has retained a number of inherent problems and quirks, mostly related to the fact that the coil must be removed and reversed half of shooting. This procedure was difficult for the inexperienced user and should be carried out in subdued light to avoid fogging of the edges of the film. In addition, the center of six feet from the finished film would include a characteristic burst of light corresponding to the inversion point (unless the film was again published and grafted).
In the early 1960s, a new standard filming and projection of 18 frames per second has been introduced, although many cameras and projectors include a multi-speed.
The standard 8 mm format was quickly replaced by the Super 8 mm film format - which offered cartridge loading, 50% larger image cameras and electrical - from mid 1960 onwards. However, the standard 8mm retained certain advantages compared to Super 8: in particular, the latter to the use of cartridges with a film pressure plate leads to an image less stable than the previous format, in which the pressure plate is part of the device itself. More sophisticated cameras standard 8 mm film entitled Backwind - not possible with one cartridge of Super 8 - to enable double-exposure and effects to dissolve in the device. Super 8 holes, while allowing a larger size, were also inherently more susceptible to tearing.