After the film has been spliced, cleaned and lubricated it is loaded onto a modified projection unit which operates at 6 fps and is synched to the camera and computer system allowing for timed frame by frame accuracy. With an enlarged gate we can capture the full frame of film with no edge loss and the final result is flicker free, evenly focused and without distortion. To gain the sharpest possible image we use a professional digital 3 chip camera which offers superior colour representation and retention when compared to a 1 CCD camera. Sections which are generally too bright are eliminated using a low wattage light source hence there are no hot spots.

Upon completion of the film to DVD transfer process the digital footage is checked for any leader section and removed accordingly after which the proper speed of your film is applied for the proper playback speed. The final stage is dependant on the output required such as DVD or Mini DV. For DVD your video is compressed into MPEG2 format with a bitrate of 7500 - 8000 Kbps and sharpening and cropping applied. Editable ISO MPEG2 DVD's or set top DVD's can be output as the final format used for tv viewing. Each authored DVD for tv viewing will have a thumbnail for each film reel viewable on the main menu. Optionally you may opt for an uncompressed Mini DV master of your film to edit or ISO DVD with your footage left in DV avi format. Film footage going to Mini DV is not edited though is accurately speed corrected.

The Process (Realtime)

The realtime process uses the same equipment as the frame by frame method above with the exception of the projection unit which operates at 20 fps eliminating flicker common with older projectors. The same film splicing, cleaning and lubricant applies to this type of transfer and is a faster method than the frame by frame and of less cost per foot yet still yields great results.

Pricing is 22 cents per foot (8mm & super 8 frame by frame) and 14 cents per foot (16mm realtime) to have your films spliced, cleaned, lubricated then transferred to DVD for tv or editing. An additional 8 cents per foot is applied to have your films frame by frame colour corrected (Optional) and 6 cents per foot to have audio tracks added to the film sequence (Customer supplied). Audio tracks will play from the start of your sequence to the end, there is no editing due to track and sequence lengths thus a track may end in the middle of sequence and another start. DV avi files may require several DVD's though is included in the price of the transfer. If your goal is to have archival masters on Mini DV pricing per tape is $24.95. Contact us for an estimate on our film to DVD transfers.