Why are there 2 completely different 8mm formats??

[impmon2]

A local video store was offering video to DVD transfer and they included "all 8mm" support. So I took a bunch of my old family video and ended up with 3 very clueless looking employee who never heard of 8mm film. They couldn't do film, only the magnetic tape version which shared the same common name: 8mm

8mm film: 1932
8mm tape: 1985

So it got me wondering, what idiot called the 8mm tape 8mm, when the 8mm film have been out for over half a century earlier? And is there a reputable 8mm *film* (standard, no sound) to DVD transfer that you can recommend? Most of the 8mm films I have are 30-50 years old and includes some of my early life.

[Cornucopia]

2 Different words that have the same root don't necessarily have the same meaning or etymology.

For example this phrase contains 2 heteronyms:

Tell the Polish cleaners to polish the floor

Are we supposed to ban one or the other, or call people idiots because the things somehow got made alike?

Better to put pressure on people to be more clear in their speech, or understanding thereof.

**********************

In this case there is SOME reason for the connection...
In the film world, the 8mm film arose from being a compact (1/2 size), consumer version of 16mm film, itself a compact version of professional 35mm film. It was followed by the last consumer film format: Super8mm.

With video, first came 2" tape, then 1", then 3/4", then 1/2" consumer tape (in the form of VHS & Betamax). 8mm video - more correctly called "Video8" - was the next shrinking tape size iteration. So called as to remind people, who might remember the "fun and convenience" of using 8mm film, that Sony could pull out another portable consumer video winner. They continued in that vein with Hi-8 and Digital-8. Notice the lack of the "mm"? That's because it's implied, and then assumed by the consumer.

I would say that the place you visited isn't nearly knowledgeable or professional enough, so don't use them (for this and maybe other things). There are plenty of good post houses that do "film-to-video transfer", which is what you really want to be looking for. There are a number of good threads on this site referring to the best methods/techniques (both for post houses and DIY) and to suggestions of good agencies to try. Check 'em out.

I would also suggest that you get busy VERY QUICKLY in transferring these. Time is ticking, and every second those reels fail to get transferred increases the likelihood that the reels will be irreparably deteriorated and un-transferrable. Particularly prone are assets that are over 40 years which aren't stored in optimal environments. I can't stress this urgency enough!

Good luck,

Scott