Conversion of 16mm film to DVD
May 23, 2019 14:55:50 #
Maybe a bit off topic for UHH but does anyone know of reputable source to have 16mm movies converted to DVD's. I have a number of industrial films (some with sound others not) that I'd like to have digitized for archival purposes.
Looking for source that knows what they are doing.
Looking for source that knows what they are doing.
May 23, 2019 15:06:31 #
cruise4two wrote:
Maybe a bit off topic for UHH but does anyone know of reputable source to have 16mm movies converted to DVD's. I have a number of industrial films (some with sound others not) that I'd like to have digitized for archival purposes.
Looking for source that knows what they are doing.
Looking for source that knows what they are doing.
I used COSTCO and was more than pleased with their vendor.
May 23, 2019 15:11:50 #
By any chance do you know where Costco sends the film out to for digitizing ? Some of the films could probably use a cleaning and repair of any splices before conversion.
May 23, 2019 15:13:59 #
cruise4two wrote:
By any chance do you know where Costco sends the film out to for digitizing ? Some of the films could probably use a cleaning and repair of any splices before conversion.
Sorry, I don't.
May 23, 2019 16:33:08 #
Bear in mind that 16mm film frames are close to HD (1920x1080, also known as 1080P) in resolution (up to 1800 horizontal lines of resolution for 16mm film frames) and a DVD is SD resolution (720 x 480, also known as 480P), so a DVD may not display all the resolution and details of the 16mm film. It would be better if you can get it scanned to HD as mp4 files. If it were me I would get a projector and record the projected movies with my digital camera as HD or 4K mp4 files. Mp4 files would also give me the chance to edit the digital recordings and improve their color, contrast, and sound.
May 23, 2019 23:48:40 #
Good thought but some of the 16mm films are not in best of shape...don't know if "filming" them with HD video cam would improve them all that much.
May 24, 2019 06:58:18 #
I would be careful about projecting older film, it can be brittle and there is usually some shrinkage in older film and sometimes the projector pull down claw does not register properly in the sprocket hole and it causes film damage and stoppages where the film will actually melt in the film gate.
I agree that DVD's are 720x480, but if film is transferred properly, DVD's can appear to be sharp and clear, any current commercial DVD of recent movies appear sharp on most TV's, its all in the compression. Also when capturing film with most 8,super8 and 16mm projectors directly to a video camera, there may be all kinds of artifacts as well as flicker and ghosting and hot spots on the captured video . It is best to have the film transferred one frame at a time and reassembled as a video file and saved in mp4 format or transferred to either DVD or Blue-Ray disk. If captured this way as sequentially numbered files, the images can be restored and all scratched and blemishes can be removed and the film stabilized and if required color corrected before creating the final product. I hope this helps, feel free to get back to me with any questions you may have. Al Cassista, acassista@comcast.net
I agree that DVD's are 720x480, but if film is transferred properly, DVD's can appear to be sharp and clear, any current commercial DVD of recent movies appear sharp on most TV's, its all in the compression. Also when capturing film with most 8,super8 and 16mm projectors directly to a video camera, there may be all kinds of artifacts as well as flicker and ghosting and hot spots on the captured video . It is best to have the film transferred one frame at a time and reassembled as a video file and saved in mp4 format or transferred to either DVD or Blue-Ray disk. If captured this way as sequentially numbered files, the images can be restored and all scratched and blemishes can be removed and the film stabilized and if required color corrected before creating the final product. I hope this helps, feel free to get back to me with any questions you may have. Al Cassista, acassista@comcast.net
May 24, 2019 08:07:19 #
I wonder if the fact that it's commercial would be a problem. It's probably copyrighted. You have lots of businesses willing to do that.
https://www.google.com/search?q=digitize+16mm+film&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=digitize+16mm+film&aqs=chrome..69i57.7342j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
https://www.google.com/search?q=digitize+16mm+film&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=digitize+16mm+film&aqs=chrome..69i57.7342j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
May 24, 2019 08:23:26 #
If the film is not to be used for commercial purposes but simply a digital conversion effort for your own use, it may be Ok, most of the films I digitize are private home movie types or old commercially produced films from companies that have not existed for many decades, and are digitized for archival use.
May 24, 2019 12:39:47 #
Bobspez wrote:
Bear in mind that 16mm film frames are close to HD... (show quote)
16mm has far more resolution than lousy HD, heck, HD can't even hold a candle to super 8!
May 24, 2019 13:05:35 #
You are right about possibility of ghosting, artifacts,etc. if trying to use video cam. Not the route I want to go. Some of the films date back to the 30's. From a now defunct company that had been in business for 130+ years.
May 24, 2019 14:34:29 #
If you plan on using the digital copies in non commercial applications, there should not be a problem, I am not a lawyer so not sure about copyright law. Many old films are in the common domain.
I agree 16mm film in many ways is far superior to HD video as is regular 8 and super 8mm films if digitized correctly.
I digitize 8mm and Super 8 film for people all the time and the people are usually stunned by the quality of the video files I submit to them, the old projectors had plastic lenses and were cheaply designed and built with much of the film gate area obliterated or masked, and they usually were projected on to glass beaded screens that gave the illusion of brightness at the expense of sharpness. I digitize they film frame by frame , then stabilize the image and remove scratch marks and artifacts, I then color correct the images and add appropriate period sound tracks and the people love it, I deliver the end product on Archival quality DVD's and also present them with a higher definition (1080p) .mp4 version on USB stick that they can place in the cloud and share with their friends and family. If I can assist you , don't hesitate to get a hold of me anytime.
I agree 16mm film in many ways is far superior to HD video as is regular 8 and super 8mm films if digitized correctly.
I digitize 8mm and Super 8 film for people all the time and the people are usually stunned by the quality of the video files I submit to them, the old projectors had plastic lenses and were cheaply designed and built with much of the film gate area obliterated or masked, and they usually were projected on to glass beaded screens that gave the illusion of brightness at the expense of sharpness. I digitize they film frame by frame , then stabilize the image and remove scratch marks and artifacts, I then color correct the images and add appropriate period sound tracks and the people love it, I deliver the end product on Archival quality DVD's and also present them with a higher definition (1080p) .mp4 version on USB stick that they can place in the cloud and share with their friends and family. If I can assist you , don't hesitate to get a hold of me anytime.
May 24, 2019 15:21:53 #
cruise4two wrote:
Good thought but some of the 16mm films are not in best of shape...don't know if "filming" them with HD video cam would improve them all that much.
I Googled "vintage film convert to DVD" and the first few hits were big reputable companies. Check it out. >Alan
May 24, 2019 15:35:01 #
You might contact Tempe Imaging Center. I know they do that sort of work. They are part of Tempe Camera Repair.
--Bob
--Bob
cruise4two wrote:
Maybe a bit off topic for UHH but does anyone know of reputable source to have 16mm movies converted to DVD's. I have a number of industrial films (some with sound others not) that I'd like to have digitized for archival purposes.
Looking for source that knows what they are doing.
Looking for source that knows what they are doing.
May 26, 2019 17:22:07 #
You're getting into a messy area here. I shot 16mm film for a living for a while in the seventies, and in no way did any of it top even SD. And shooting a projected image is insane.You want to find someone that uses at the very least, what in broadcasting was known as a film chain. It projects directly onto an image tube. Better would be someone that uses a flying spot scanner, if any of those still exist.
And I'm sure there are plenty of places in NYC or LA that do an all digital wet scan process.
Good luck, but remember, anything thats too cheap isn't any good. this is an area that requires guys with great equipment, education and experience.
And I'm sure there are plenty of places in NYC or LA that do an all digital wet scan process.
Good luck, but remember, anything thats too cheap isn't any good. this is an area that requires guys with great equipment, education and experience.
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