8mm film to DVD -TFG Film & Tape

[cerburus]

Hello!! I have a large group of home movies I would like to transfer to DVD. Awhile back someone posted their experience (a positive one) with TFG Film & Tape; a transfer company in Wetherfield, CT. Has anyone else used their service? Would anyone reccomend another service? These movies are going to need a lot of cut & paste editing. So, getting them all onto a good quality MPEG is the first step.

[divingbuddy]

I have transfered thousands of feet of old 8mm film. I can do the same thing at home and not pay by the foot just to get a lot of black, faded and just plain bad film.

The process is done in real time:

1. Setup your 8mm movie projector with movie screen.
2. Setup your DVCAM camcorder, 8mm video or VHS recorder.
3. Record your movies.
4. Download your recording to your computer.
5. Edit to your hearts content.

If you want to adjust for any color shifting then I would add a Sima Color Video Corrector and stream your recording from your camcorder using analog out to your color corrector and then to your computer via a video capture card, you can adjust color and light and dark in real time. You can choose what quality to capture your recorded film using whatever program you use to capture with. I use ATI AIW.

Later I added titles, fades, special effects and music. The quality from 8mm varies widely. The longer you put off the transfer the more the film will fade and be gone forever.

Yes you can pay if you don't have the time and lots money. But what's the fun in that. And you can enjoy all the memories over again with the family and make something that means more to you and a job well done.

Also I know you can transfer in many different ways, use the tools you have available to you and your end results will speak for themselves, even if you did wear bellbottoms and silk shirts.

Enjoy

[edDV]

Quality 8mm film conversion is dicussed extensively in these threads:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275314
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=222267&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlig...20film&start=0

[BJ_M]

not news - moved

[cerburus]

Thanks all, for the comments a & links. I would like to do the conversions for the fun of it. The main sticking point seems to be the flickering problem. One of edDV's links talked about using a projector with a real shutter as opposed to the whirling disk type (with speed control). The projector I have (GAF) produces not a flicker but a slow pulse from bright to almost black. Any comments on the shutter and/or a brand/model of projector that would be optimal for this type of work? eBay has many projectors at a reasonable price.

[mysts]

Projectors are not too hard to find but the lamps are. Where does one find replacement projector lamps.

[BJ_M]

lamps are easy to find -- many (most) are still being made in fact

http://www.bulb-source.com/8mm%2016mm%20projector%20bulbs.htm

http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/t.pl/equipment.main.html

[mysts]

Thanks BJ_M

I just ordered two lamps.

[cerburus]

Been surfin'. http://truetex.com/telecine.htm has an interesting soution.

[mysts]

To Cerberus,

Wow. This is the kind of info that I have been looking for. DIY is better than paying a fortune to the pros. Thanks again.