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  1. Member
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    I wasn't sure where to post this.

    I am looking for a very high quality telecine tranfer service for OLD 8mm and Super 8mm film to high quality video, I am not looking for your run of the mill projector to camcorder type setup. I can do that or get it done locally. I want the best archival quality possible.

    I had a link at one time of a company that used professioinal broadcast quality equipment and telecine setup to HD or D1 master but I can no longer find it. They also did some exposure and color correction and artifact cleanup

    Any help is appreciated,
    Thanks,
    Mike
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  2. Член BJ_M's Avatar
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    you may be thinking of cinepost -- they are one of the very best

    http://www.posthouse.com
    "Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." - Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
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  3. What about those outfits that scan each frame & put them together? Sounnds like the quality would be nice.
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  4. Член BJ_M's Avatar
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    see above ---
    "Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." - Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
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  5. Member edDV's Avatar
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    I'm in the process of doing the same thing for family 8mm films. I'll post my research when I get to my other computer and I'd appreciate other ideas. So far I've come up with two acceptable options to get full frame transfer to MinDV tape. Do not use MPeg for this, you want to save every film frame in high quality. MiniDv tape is an acceptable format for 8mm film transfer if done right.

    Highest quality approach, contract for dead time work at a post house that uses Broadcast quality level equipment (e.g. modified Ranks with DaVinci color correction). Expect to pay in the $100's per hour.

    Or, select the best of the prosumer level transfer houses that do full frame transfers with older or TV station type telecine systems. Some record directly to tape using automated color correction, others capture frame by frame to a computer, color correct on the computer and then output to MiniDV or author to DVD. Prices range around $0.20-0.35 per foot plus setup costs.

    Most of the consumer transfer houses just stream a projector-camcorder to a DVD recorder with inferior results. Beware the tricks where they offer a MiniDv copy of the low quality MPeg2 DVD.
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  6. Член BJ_M's Avatar
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    i forgot to mention this place -- they are suppose to do a really good job and offer features no one else has (preview your tapes on line and edit on line)

    they can send you a DV or dvd of the final output

    http://www.homemoviedepot.com/film/index.php
    "Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." - Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
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  7. I can do that for you.
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  8. Member edDV's Avatar
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    This guy has failed to return my calls but details the sleeze that exists in the consumer film to tape transfer industry.

    He makes the case for frame by frame original masters in his rambling tutorial but doesn't discuss his own frame capture technology. But he does cover the basics.

    http://www.film-to-video.com/tutorial.html
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  9. edDV

    Could you please repost to clear up any misconceptions that the one you are referring to is not I...
    It just appears that way because you posted right under me...


    Thanks
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  10. Member edDV's Avatar
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    schematic2, do you have a webpage describing your process?

    No, I wasn't refering to you, I was refering to the guy in the link, Bruce Mayfield.
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  11. I don't have a website yet, as I'm busy enough from locals.
    Each image is direct to the hard drive at 720X480. I then add in frames from 15/18/24 to get to 29.97 for NTSC viewing. There is no blending of frames as so many do on the fly. The result is no blurring, flicker or hot spots. Yes, the camera is mounted internally in the projector. No off the wall or shooting through prisms here!
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  12. Schematic2, are you using one of those Video Workprinters that moviestuff.tv sells?
    No, I'm from Iowa. I only work in outer space.
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  13. I have a Workprinter XP and can do the transfer for you if you would like. It is a frame by frame process. drop me a line if you are interested.
    Mark
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  14. Член BJ_M's Avatar
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    man you guys coming out of the woodwork -- i got loads of 8 and super 8 going way back ,, and 16mm films going back the late 20's someday i want it all transfered ...
    "Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." - Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
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  15. Schematic2, are you using one of those Video Workprinters that moviestuff.tv sells?
    No.

    Send me one 50' roll and I'll transfer it for you. If its not as good as I say it is....its yours free!!

    (Proof is in the puddin')
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  16. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Here is an example of a high end transfer house offering rock bottom prices for night shift 8mm single pass to MiniDV transfers on a Rank!!. Top equipment with minimal service it looks like.

    http://www.3516.com/

    Has anyone used them?

    Here is an example of a high service mid level outfit.
    http://www.videoconversionexperts.com/Film_to_DVD/default.htm
    http://www.videoconversionexperts.com/Film_to_DVD/Film_Restoration.htm
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  17. Wow..... that first link is cheap for a rank transfer if its lagit (no hidden charges)

    I can't see how anyone can compete!!
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  18. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Yeah, I just checked their links, they are a small transfer house near Pittsburgh airport. You never know who you are dealing with. They need checking out further before I would trust my original family films there.
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  19. Member edDV's Avatar
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    schematic2,

    Do you see any holes in the second post above? I called the guy and he says he transfers 800x600 square pixels in component frame by frame to a computer where he color corrects, rescales to 720x480 and then outputs to tape or does DVD authoring.

    8mm film is ~16 frames per second so a 29.94 fps MiniDV transfer should allow at least one frame to be deinterlaced per film frame right?.

    Is there anything I should ask him?
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  20. I would be interested to know if he color corrects/contast adjusts per "scene change". Does he "color correct" sectional clips that may have had incorrect filtering, or does he "color correct" on a per roll basis? Does he edit out the unuseable sections? Does he sharpen up the slightly out of focus clips? Does he resize the image to allow for overscan?

    Having the equipment is one thing, but its how you use it that determines the final result

    I spend up to 3 hours editing/enhancing on a one hour DVD. Every scene change is individually color corrected and enhanced as necessary.

    The rank equipment of today is hard to compete with, but unless proper editing is performed, its not all its chalked up to be...

    If he does all this...he's untouchable for that price!!
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  21. "http://www.3516.com/"

    Those examples on that site are nice but they don't say what they are generated from-- 8mm or 16mm or whatever.
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  22. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by schematic2
    I would be interested to know if he color corrects/contast adjusts per "scene change". Does he "color correct" sectional clips that may have had incorrect filtering, or does he "color correct" on a per roll basis? Does he edit out the unuseable sections? Does he sharpen up the slightly out of focus clips? Does he resize the image to allow for overscan?

    Having the equipment is one thing, but its how you use it that determines the final result

    I spend up to 3 hours editing/enhancing on a one hour DVD. Every scene change is individually color corrected and enhanced as necessary.

    The rank equipment of today is hard to compete with, but unless proper editing is performed, its not all its chalked up to be...

    If he does all this...he's untouchable for that price!!
    Those are all excellent examples of the service side of the project.

    Added>> Just to be clear, I was talking to videoconversionexperts.com not the 3516.com Rank guys. So the questions were focused on that process not the Rank. I'm also developing a question list for 3516.com. I'd welcome help.

    Other issues to consider:

    - do you have to splice all your film segments onto big reels with leader or will they do it and will they charge if they do it. If you don't have leader, you loose several seconds from the beginning of each spool.

    - understand clearly the "extras". Like a new car, they will make their money from extras like tape media cost, DVD authoring, useless online "previews", shipping and handling .... I for one just need a quality color corrected raw transfer. I'll make my own DVD.

    - do they maintain a complete copy of the project on their hard drive in case your film and tapes are lost in return shipping?

    - other fine print. Common practice is to demand payment up front although a VISA payment can still be challenged after delivery (check with your bank). The practice of demanding payment by check in advance is their way to prevent you from challenging a credit card later.

    I'm heading home now and will post the other transfer houses that made my first cut later.

    schematic2, I'm trying to approach this project more globally. You may be providing an excellent product, I hope you can continue to help with issues and criteria for vendor selection.
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  23. handyguy:
    Those examples on that site are nice but they don't say what they are generated from-- 8mm or 16mm or whatever.
    I think its safe to bet that the samples are 35mm


    edDV:
    I'm trying to approach this project more globally. You may be providing an excellent product, I hope you can continue to help with issues and criteria for vendor selection

    I'll help all I can. Hell, I'll even do a free sample for comparison!!
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  24. Член BJ_M's Avatar
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    super 16 blown up can look real good also ... when transfered to digital ... very common for HD
    "Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." - Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
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  25. Member edDV's Avatar
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    Well here is my first cut short list of 8mm film transfer houses grouped type. Prices and services vary and this list far from complete. These tend to be the ones favored by the Google search engine filtered by my opinion of credibility. Additions and comments welcome.

    High end houses doing 8mm using Rank Cintel flying spot scanners and primary-secondary color correction.

    · CinePost, Atlanta, GA
    http://www.posthouse.com/TELECINE_PAGE.html

    · Super 8 Sound, Burbank, CA
    (no web page found) referred by Wood-Land

    · Debenham Media Group, Pittsburgh, PA
    http://www.3516.com/


    Specialty 8mm to MiniDV “Prosumer Masters” with high quality equipment.* (random list)
    *typ. Broadcast grade 3CCD cameras and aerial image telecine system

    · Video Conversion Experts, AZ
    http://www.videoconversionexperts.com/Film_to_DVD/default.htm
    http://www.videoconversionexperts.com/Film_to_DVD/Film_Restoration.htm

    · Film to Video, NM
    http://www.film-to-video.com/tutorial.html

    · Wood-land Film Transfer, IA
    http://www.wood-land.com/Pages/faq.html

    · Todd Video Productions, MO
    http://www.toddvideo.com/transfer.html#Pricing

    · Rainbow Pixels, NC
    http://www.rainbowpixels.com/prices.htm

    · Videotransfer.com, TX
    http://www.videotransfer.com/movietransfer.html


    Add schematic2 to the list (no web site)

    Wood-land has a particularly good FAQ. Film-to-Tape has a good tutorial on the basics and what kinds of vendors to avoid.

    PC Magazine did a good overview article
    http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1618829,00.asp
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  26. Член BJ_M's Avatar
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    you forgot http://www.homemoviedepot.com/film/index.php

    which has a description of thier equipment there also -- plus offers on-line proofing and editing
    "Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." - Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
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  27. Video Restorer lordsmurf's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by edDV
    This guy has failed to return my calls but details the sleeze that exists in the consumer film to tape transfer industry.

    He makes the case for frame by frame original masters in his rambling tutorial but doesn't discuss his own frame capture technology. But he does cover the basics.

    http://www.film-to-video.com/tutorial.html
    If this is the guy I'm thinking of (a friend used him), then his quality sucks and he charges far, far too much. I mean, just pitiful work. It was all done onto DV, and it simply ruined it. A place with a Philips DVD recorder did a better job than he did.
    Want my help? Ask here! (not via PM!)
    FAQs: Best Blank DiscsBest TBCsBest VCRs for captureRestore VHS
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  28. Member edDV's Avatar
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    He did contact me later. He was on vacation in early January. I've heard he does good work. Your friend must have used someone else.

    DV transfer is the way to go for your master so that you capture all the frames. DVD can be used later for viewing but does not make a good archival medium. The way the low end transfer houses do it is pitiful forcing 3+ hours onto a DVD.

    The links I provided above give a good review of the issues.
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