The Reflecta Super8 film scanner to avi conversion thread

[mickmc1]

Now, it does cause a little less engagement with the gear fro the take up reel. (see below)


But still seems to be enough to drive it fine.

I scanned a few reels successfully, but now have been getting the old 'film stuck' message anywhere from 100 frames to 1000 frames. And it's not really stuck as I can just push the capture button again and it continues fine (until the next stuck message.)

Maybe it has something do with my flip or maybe not. Maybe I'll see if the take up gear can be move dout slightly to more fully engage.

Anyone have a tried and true method for fixing the 'film stuck'?

Thanks!

[mickmc1]

My arm drop issue continues to be fixed. But my 'film stuck' continues to haunt me. Trying to get through a 400 foot reel. On my 3rd day. Keeps stopping with the film stuck warning. I click off and just click capture again and it proceeds for anywhere between 100-1000 frames before another message. Inb reading the above thread this sounds like it may be a software issue. I am running this:

This is the version I should be running yes?

Thanks in advance!

[camera8mm]

Does anyone know if the reflecta uses a take up claw in the gate? I'd like to buy a unit and covert it to an 8mm scanner. Replacing the sprockets wouldn't be so bad, but a claw would.

[ddearmont]

I have this film scanner. Has anyone else had problems with the Capture button not enabling? I have threaded the film through the converter, and see the first image on the screen, but the capture button doesn't enable, so I can't capture anything.

[mickmc1]

ddearmont,

I have noticed the same thing. Seems to me the scanner needs to get itself on a good 'start frame'. When this happens (the non select able capture button). I push the down (or sometimes up) button until it 'locks in' on a frame. Then the capture button becomes available.

Hope this helps!

m

[Capwell]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and to Reflecta so apologies if my question has already been answered but I couldn't find it.

I just received my machine from Conrad / Germany and I wanted to share my experience with just the set up so far. First the software disc supplied was completely blank, but no matter, I was able to get the latest software from www.reflecta.de. As advised by a document included, I immediately tried to update to the latest firmware (ver .13). There is an Update button on the first screen of the latest version of the software. I downloaded the firmware from the same site and set it going. It completed successfully (message on screen) but the scanner immediately became unresponsive and wouldn't boot up anymore. I had it all packaged up ready to go back when I found this forum.

Thanks to Neutron for posting the manual firmware update procedure and the Dropbox link which I followed and successfully recovered the machine. So I guess I now have Software version .14 and firmware version .12.

What I would like to know is how to update the version .13 firmware using the manual method. There isn't the equivalent of SUPER8_V1.012_20140819.img type file on www.reflecta.de. Does anyone know where I can get the .13 version or how to use the file 20150309124042_update.tar (which is on the www.reflecta.de site) using the manual procedure. A post earlier this year from Litemkr indicates that he/she might have done this.

I haven't done any scanning yet and may post later about my experiences with that.

Many thanks

[Frankv]

I just receiced my scanner and am encountering problem using Mac program. I get message that film is mounted (not true), and will not calibrate. I downloaded and installed latest software, no help. Scanner works with old windows netbook, but not my desired tool. Anyone have suggestions? Thanks. This thread discusses lots of good information, and I look forward to using it.

[kszo]

This is a really long thread, just could read the first half, really interested on buying the Reflecta but worry about all the problems mentioned, specially about the scratching and destroying films...
Where is this machine made? since the vendor is German it should be really high quality, but stories is telling different thing.
Just really wondering on buying it...
Hope don't have to go this way...

[Frankv]

Scanner only has Germany marks on it. I have only been using it for a short time, and agree the arms for film spools are rather fragile, but I have not encountered scratching or failure to advance film.
I originally had problem with software on the Mac, but is scanning now. I am having problems with computer going to sleep mode, which aborts scanning. Still working on that, have tried various settings in energy saving panel.
Images seem good, comparable to some films I had digitized commercially.

[Blackout]

i am fairly confident with the terrible build quality that the unit was designed in Germany, MADE in China.

mickmc1 in regards to your "stuck" film problem with a 400ft reel, i think you know what the problem is....THE REEL IS TOO LONG/ BIG.

the clutches on both arms (that regulate the tension of the film) are so primitive, they are a couple of screws that squash a spring against some plastic. Ive seen better product design in my kids LEGO builds.

halve your 400ft reel into two (or even 4) reels. then they will all scan. On top of it, you can start and finish a scan in around 24-36 hours per reel instead of 5 days, only to find that some frames skipped and messed up half way. Remember that reversing film in the Reflecta is a NO NO. it just shreds the surface. Youll see all this dust around the gears building up...thats your film surface...say bye bye to it.

so if you have a problem....continue to move forward with your film to the end, then rewind the film on another machine (i use an old silent projector i picked up at a garage sale for $10 bucks to do the reversing... directly between the reels holding the film gently with a record cleaner cloth).

Cheers,
Blackout

[mickmc1]

Thanks for the feedback.

It's not the reels though. As I'm only using a 50 foot reel. Had one or two go through with limited issues. The rest have been nothing but problems. I don't think I have the patience for this device. Shame... as the quality is good when it works. But that is so seldom.

[Blackout]

hi mickmc1...I totally understand. if you have the money and not the patience, buy a better unit with less hassle, there is no doubt.

just keep in mind that the next closest equivalent unit on the market is DOUBLE the price.

This is why so many of us tweak this unit and persist with its "quirks". But if I had $4k or so then yeah...for sure I would be going for another product.

im sure all of us on this forum would prefer the Retro-8. that is the next equivalent and a far superior (and expensive) unit but essentially the same thing, single frame scanning, USB, etc.

http://www.retrothing.com/2013/02/retro-8-sleek-new-8mm-film-digitizing-system.html

Cheers,
Blackout

[fmilos]

Hello everybody, I am Fabio and I am writing because I want to contribute to this forum with my little help.

First of all, I'd like to thank all the contributors for their efforts; all the tips and hints you posted really turn this forum in a must-read for Reflecta users (I hope Reflecta guys are reading this to improve their product).

I just bought a Reflecta Super 8 scanner and started acquiring my footage, but the effort started to look endless because of "Film stuck" error messages; bypassing the lower sprocket did not improve things, the film looks tight enough on the take-up reel but I can't figure out why I keep on getting the "Film stuck" error message; the scanner cannot work unattended because of the errors.

I decided to write a dumb visual basic script to simulate the necessary keypresses to resume capturing and it's working 90% of the time, so I am getting closer to the "unattended" idea and I can be away from the scanner; if anybody thinks this could be useful I can share the script and the instructions.

Cheers,
Fabio

[Blackout]

Hi Fabio..

thank you for contributing also! sounds interesting.

I don't experience this "film stuck" problem. I am starting to think it is a combination of firmware in the Reflecta and software capture version. If you are able to bypass this problem with some keypresses and it soldiers on and continues scanning, then its possibly not a hardware problem. It could still be a sensor or something but it would be a good idea I think to call for anyone with the "Film Stuck" problem to post their firmware and software versions. maybe we can nail down the issue.

Cheers,
Blackout

[Frankv]

Blackout- good idea. I have only had one "Stuck Film" message, so can't contribute much. Running V 1.1.2.14 with Firmware 1.012 on an old HP Netbook and Windows 7.

I found the "Stuck Film" situation during an overnight scan of a 400 foot roll (about 30 yr old film). I restarted, and it finished scan. The reconstruction of the avi file was not successful, and about the last 6-8 minutes was a frozen image. I rescanned without any problems, and movie is ok.

I have noted some side to side movement, showing sprocket holes on old film with some stretching, as well as film with sound stripe in place.

Overall few problems, now have scanned about 4-5000 feet of film which was mostly on 200 and 400 foot reels. Images a little less saturated color than ones I had done commercially, but overall good quality.

[Peeter]

Hello

I have had the Super 8 Scanner since last December. In that time was possible to download old software CyberView S8 ver. 1.1.2.14. With my unit was new software 1.1.2.14m and you could download the same software form Reflecta homepage also now.
With the new version of software I have the same problem as others - after a few (3-4) frame scanning it stopped with notise „The film is stuck!“ And it is systematic.
The previous software working without any problem. I tryed the last version on several PC – WIN XP, WIN Vista, WIN 7 (64bit) – no different.
What is the problem?
I asked that directly from Reflecta also, but now reply.
Who have had the same observation? What could be the problem?

With regards
Peeter

[fmilos]

Hi Fabio..

thank you for contributing also! sounds interesting.

I don't experience this "film stuck" problem. I am starting to think it is a combination of firmware in the Reflecta and software capture version.

Blackout, that's what I thought in the first place, but I came up with the script solution instead that going for the most straight forward one, i.e. trying with a different computer.

Yesterday evening I installed CyberView on my Macbook and voilà, no more "Film stuck" messages.

Maybe this is because of the two different versions that came with the scanner:
CyberView S8 1.1.2.14m for Windows
CyberView S8 1.1.2.14 for OSX

BTW: I bought the scanner from Amazon Italy and the item is now marked as "Under review", I guess many other customers are experiencing this software issue, I think I should link this thread in my review.

Cheers,
Fabio

[Peeter]

....
Maybe this is because of the two different versions that came with the scanner:
CyberView S8 1.1.2.14m for Windows
CyberView S8 1.1.2.14 for OSX
.....


Cheers,
Fabio

CyberView S8 1.1.2.14 had 2 versions, for OCX and for Windows. You can download these separately.
The same for CyberView S8 1.1.2.14m, but this Windows version is not working correctly!

[Jeremy75]

Hello everyone

Thanks for all the information in this thread, if it hadn't been for all your ideas and insight, I probably would have sent the unit back the first day. The CD-ROM could not be read on any of my machines, firmware update made the machine non-responsive, calibration failed like five times before completing. After having finally gotten the scanner to work, it would scan the first 15m roll without any glitch, no missed frames, no hanging. On the next 15m roll, I got a "film stuck" error about every 15 or so frames. The film was in top condition. I restarted using a different take-up reel. It scanned two more films with no hanging. After that, the "film stuck" message returned and now occurs all the time, sometimes after only 4 or five frames. Mind you, all the films are in excellent condition.
I will experiment a bit further and contact Reflecta, although it seems they have no solution yet (or ever). Software and firmware are the latest versions. Will also be trying to set it up on a Mac.
I am looking forward to using this thread!
Thanks,
Jeremy

[fmilos]

Yesterday evening I installed CyberView on my Macbook and voilà, no more "Film stuck" messages.

Hello everybody, I want to update you on my... er... "progress".

The scanner firmware is v.1.0.13 and I am using it on two different machines, with different issues on each one.

Machine 1, Windows 7 x64, CyberView S8 1.1.2.14m
I get a "Film stuck" message every 5 - 10 frames; I had to write a script to simulate keypresses to resume capturing (but the script does not trigger when the capture box shows a red frame: in that case I have to adjust the film with the "Up" and "Down" buttons and resume manually)

Machine 2, OSX 10.9, CyberView S8 1.1.2.14
The capture process runs smoothly for about three hours (about 1500 frames) and then it stops showing a red frame surrounding the picture. When I check the machine (I run captures overnight, so I check the machine approx. eight hours after starting the capture) I cannot resume the capture because the film has been completely wound on the take-up reel.

I tried to capture the same film on different machines and different films on the same machine, but the issues showed up each time as I described (btw we are talking about 4 minutes reels).

I contacted Reflecta and asked for support; maybe a downgrade (firmware and software) could help but I cannot find links to previous firmware or software versions.

I will keep you up-to-date.

Cheers,
Fabio

[fmilos]

My arm drop issue continues to be fixed. But my 'film stuck' continues to haunt me. Trying to get through a 400 foot reel. On my 3rd day. Keeps stopping with the film stuck warning. I click off and just click capture again and it proceeds for anywhere between 100-1000 frames before another message. Inb reading the above thread this sounds like it may be a software issue. I am running this:

[Attachment 34408 - Click to enlarge]
This is the version I should be running yes?

Thanks in advance!

Dear mickmc1, I couldn't help noticing your total scan time and frames: 28:36:46 hours for 40097 frames gives about 1400 frames/hour, if I am not mistaken, whereas I cannot capture more than 500 frames/hour.

The only difference is that I am running CyberView S8 1.1.2.14m but I'd really like to downgrade to CyberView S8 1.1.2.14 to get that performance!
Unfortunately, I cannot find it on Reflecta website.

This is getting really frustrating.

BTW: thank you for the arm drop fix hint, I had the same issue and flipped the gear as you suggested, now it seems to be fixed.

Cheers,
Fabio

[Jeremy75]

Hello everybody, I am Fabio and I am writing because I want to contribute to this forum with my little help.

First of all, I'd like to thank all the contributors for their efforts; all the tips and hints you posted really turn this forum in a must-read for Reflecta users (I hope Reflecta guys are reading this to improve their product).

I just bought a Reflecta Super 8 scanner and started acquiring my footage, but the effort started to look endless because of "Film stuck" error messages; bypassing the lower sprocket did not improve things, the film looks tight enough on the take-up reel but I can't figure out why I keep on getting the "Film stuck" error message; the scanner cannot work unattended because of the errors.

I decided to write a dumb visual basic script to simulate the necessary keypresses to resume capturing and it's working 90% of the time, so I am getting closer to the "unattended" idea and I can be away from the scanner; if anybody thinks this could be useful I can share the script and the instructions.

Cheers,
Fabio

Dear Fabio
I would really like to try your workaround with the vb script, since I'm getting "film stuck" messages all the time. If you could share your script I would be most grateful. Cheers, Jeremy

[mickmc1]

Fabio,
Glad I could be of help (with the arm drop). As for 1400 frames an hour. Maybe on that capture it did that. But quite honestly. The film stuck and dropped frames did me in.

As I have quite a load of films to transfer, I actually sucked it up and just ordered a moviestuff retro universal. Yes. It's more than twice the price of the reflecta (i do have about twenty reels of regular 8 - so I can justify that at least a little) but I just couldn't take the slow speed coupled with never really making it through even a single fifty foot reel successfully.

Haven't received the unit yet. But if I remember I will post my thoughts/comparisons and some examples here...

Cheers to all...

Fabio, Would like to see that script you wrote though. If for anything just to see if i can get the reflecta to work.

Thanks!

mick

[fmilos]

Dear Fabio
I would really like to try your workaround with the vb script, since I'm getting "film stuck" messages all the time. If you could share your script I would be most grateful. Cheers, Jeremy

Hello everyone, I am sharing the script, I hope it can be helpful.

The code is pretty dumb:
- it looks for a window titled "Message", i.e. the window that pops up with the "Film stuck!" message and if the window is found
- sends ENTER key to make it go away
- waits in case the scanner has to advance/rewind
- sends the keys to press the "Capture" button
- sends ENTER to append frames to current session
and then the loop starts over.

Please note that the machine that is capturing the film should not be used for anything else while the script is running (but there is no point in running such a script when you are in front of the machine and you can resume capture manually); I disable the screensaver to avoid any problem with keypresses being sent to the wrong application.

Paste the code in a text editor, save it as script.vbs on your desktop, open a command prompt, cd to the desktop and type "script.vbs", then switch to CyberView via ALT+TAB; I suggest you watch it in action a couple of times before letting it go on its own.

To stop the script, switch to the command prompt and type CTRL+C

I hope the explanation is clear, but feel free to ask for further details or suggest improvements.

PS I don't mean to be rude, but I take no responsibility for whatever damage the script may cause. It works for me, if you are not sure just don't run it.

Cheers,
Fabio

Set wshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

'Start the infinite loop
Do
    'Look for a window titled "Message"
    ret = wshShell.AppActivate("Message")

    If ret = True Then
        'Make it go away
        wshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
        'Pause 7 sec in case the scanner advances or rewinds
        WScript.Sleep 7000
        'Highlight the "Capture" button
        wshShell.SendKeys "+{TAB}"
        'Pause, just in case
        WScript.Sleep 2000
        'Press the "Capture" button
        wshShell.SendKeys " "
        WScript.Sleep 2000
        'Answer "Yes" to append frames to current session
        wshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
        WScript.Sleep 3000
        'Move to the "Back" button, ready for the next round
        wshShell.SendKeys "{TAB}"
    End If

    'Wait 5 sec before starting over
    WScript.Sleep 5000

Loop

[Jeremy75]

Dear Fabio
I would really like to try your workaround with the vb script, since I'm getting "film stuck" messages all the time. If you could share your script I would be most grateful. Cheers, Jeremy

Hello everyone, I am sharing the script, I hope it can be helpful.

The code is pretty dumb:
- it looks for a window titled "Message", i.e. the window that pops up with the "Film stuck!" message and if the window is found
- sends ENTER key to make it go away
- waits in case the scanner has to advance/rewind
- sends the keys to press the "Capture" button
- sends ENTER to append frames to current session
and then the loop starts over.

Please note that the machine that is capturing the film should not be used for anything else while the script is running (but there is no point in running such a script when you are in front of the machine and you can resume capture manually); I disable the screensaver to avoid any problem with keypresses being sent to the wrong application.

Paste the code in a text editor, save it as script.vbs on your desktop, open a command prompt, cd to the desktop and type "script.vbs", then switch to CyberView via ALT+TAB; I suggest you watch it in action a couple of times before letting it go on its own.

To stop the script, switch to the command prompt and type CTRL+C

I hope the explanation is clear, but feel free to ask for further details or suggest improvements.

PS I don't mean to be rude, but I take no responsibility for whatever damage the script may cause. It works for me, if you are not sure just don't run it.

Cheers,
Fabio

Set wshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

'Start the infinite loop
Do
    'Look for a window titled "Message"
    ret = wshShell.AppActivate("Message")

    If ret = True Then
        'Make it go away
        wshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
        'Pause 7 sec in case the scanner advances or rewinds
        WScript.Sleep 7000
        'Highlight the "Capture" button
        wshShell.SendKeys "+{TAB}"
        'Pause, just in case
        WScript.Sleep 2000
        'Press the "Capture" button
        wshShell.SendKeys " "
        WScript.Sleep 2000
        'Answer "Yes" to append frames to current session
        wshShell.SendKeys "{ENTER}"
        WScript.Sleep 3000
        'Move to the "Back" button, ready for the next round
        wshShell.SendKeys "{TAB}"
    End If

    'Wait 5 sec before starting over
    WScript.Sleep 5000

Loop

Dear Fabio

Thanks so much! Will give this a try...

Cheers,
Lucas

[OneIron]

Actually, there is no real comparison between the Reflecta and the Retro-8 units. The Retro-8 units all scan in full 24 bit and each frame is stored as a codec free individual hi resolution still frame while the Reflecta is scanning to a highly compressed interframe video codec. The Retro series also lets you scan uncompressed and output uncompressed; something the Reflecta will not do. Also, regarding "chroming", the degree of edge enhancement (the actual term) is totally controllable by the user. On the sample noted, I have no idea how the footage was set up on the Retro unit or the degree of post processing of the image which can lead to over enhancement. But still, the sample holds up pretty good to the Millennium. When you consider the cost of the Retro-8 wouldn't even cover shipping and installation of a Millennium, I'd say there are more similarities between the two transfers than there are differences, especially for someone working on a limited budget that wants to scan both reversal and color neg, which is just one more thing that the Reflecta can't do.

Here are a couple of other examples of color and B/W neg and reversal:

http://vimeo.com/78660128

http://vimeo.com/72364968

http://vimeo.com/80020829

http://vimeo.com/13875976

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DLnR00FKSo&list=UUlnTd886ytLSsTNpbXfeoIw

Make no mistake, the Retro series was never meant to be a replacement for a high end Spirit or Millennium. However, the thing to remember is that, even on "big iron" transfer units from classic Ranks to Spirits, etc, there is ALWAYS downstream image processing to sharpen the image, reduce grain and noise, adjust gamma, etc. Send the same film to 5 different Spirit houses and be prepared to get 5 different results ranging from soft to over-enhanced. In that sense, the Retro units are no different than its larger cousins; user input makes all the difference. The Retro-8 units have modest built in color and gamma controls and some degree of grain reduction but, to get the best results, you will need to attenuate the image downstream of the capture. That can be done in real time by programming in the changes on high end scanner units like a Spirit or a Millennium or you can do it in post on your NLE from uncompressed captures on the Retro series. But, either way, some degree of interaction is required to get the desired results.

These videos are absolutely gorgeous! Makes me even more happy I ordered the Retro-8 Universal. I've been struggling with real time transfer for about a year using a system purchased on eBay. The setup has been difficult and time consuming and the quality not up to my standards.

I've posted several links on my FB page to YouTube videos digitized by the Retro-8 Universal. As a result, I'm getting tons of requests from future clients.

Hopefully, my unit will be in soon. I'm now getting inquiries about digitizing 16mm film (just received a reel yesterday). Looks like I need to order the 16mm gate.

Well done, MovieStuff!

[fmilos]

Will give this a try...

Cheers,
Lucas

Hello everybody,
I want to share a tip, that is actually proving very helpful to me: try with different USB ports, especially if you are using a laptop. I think that the Reflecta has to be connected to a powered USB port and not every one is.

I changed the port on my laptop and now I am running smooth capture sessions, no messages, no need to use my script... It's just working as it's supposed to (except for the arm drop that I fixed as Mick suggested); so far, so good.

Try all the ports you have, or try to use a powered USB hub.

Plus, I found (with a quick googling for "CyberView S8") CyberView S8 1.1.2.14 for Windows and I am using it with no problems, but now I am convinced that the issue was the USB port.

I will finish capturing my reels (ca. 28 x 600 ft), then I will dedicate my efforts to restoring, with avisynth.

Cheers,
Fabio

[Peeter]

...
Plus, I found (with a quick googling for "CyberView S8") CyberView S8 1.1.2.14 for Windows and I am using it with no problems, but now I am convinced that the issue was the USB port.
...

Cheers,
Fabio

Hello Fabio
Did you compared the CyberView S8 1.1.2.14 with 1.1.2.14m in the same USB port? I'm afraid, that the new one is not working (my opininion).

Regards
Peeter

[OneIron]

ok i have uploaded a HD comparison...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDIPbpOASnw&list=UUgFQnyoeRl8-0_al10CNXOg

Cheers!
Blackout

Interesting. I'm seeing a fair amount of CA in the optical version. The frame by frame version is pretty impressive with the exception of some jitter. I assume it can be stabilized pretty easily in post processing.

Mike

[fmilos]

(ca. 28 x 600 ft)

Oops! 28 reels x 200 feet