Uncategorised Archives - DVD Conversions

Transferring Film

What’s the best method for transferring film?

In this post we will discuss the different methods of converting film and touch on some of their disadvantages.

There are basically 3 different methods of film transfer.

Point and Shoot
Telecine
Frame scanning

Point and Shoot

The point and shoot method is the most basic. This method involved setting up a projector and screen and filming the image directly from the screen. This is a very clumsy method as it’s near impossible to get the camera and projector correctly aligned, and due to variations in frame rate between film (24fps or less) and video (25fps for PAL and 30fps for NTSC) it is likely that there will be black bars scrolling through the picture. This phenomenon is caused by the stroboscopic effect or differences in speed between the projector shutter and camera shutter speeds. Some video cameras (generally the semi pro cameras) have the ability to adjust the shutter speed which minimized this problem. A lot of resolution is lost using this method.

Telecine

The Telecine method is similar in concept to the point and shoot method. The major difference being that the camera and projector are aligned in such a way that the projector projects directly into the lens of the camera. A series of lenses invert the image. There are similar issues to the point and shoot method in that there are speed differences between the two devices and this also leads to black bars and incorrect film speeds. Resolution is slightly higher than the point and shoot method depending on what camera or imaging device is used.

Frame Scanning

The frame scanning method is by far the best option when compared to the above. Frame scanners scan each individual frame and the accompanying software reconstructs the individual frames into a video clip. This method allows you to output a file at the frame rate the film was initially shot at and also totally eliminates the stroboscopic effect. There are numerous other advantages to frame scanning as the film is transported through the machine by direct drive servo motors, there is no other mechanical handling of the film, no claws or sprockets which could damage the film. In addition a cold light source (LED) eliminates the risk of burn through.

DVD Conversions specialize in frame by frame scanning of the following film formats.

Regular 8 Film.
Super 8 Film.
9.5mm Film.
16mm Film.

There are a lot of film scanners available however very few can scan at Full HD (1920 x 1080P). Our scanner scans film at 1920 x 1080 and outputs files up to 1080P resolution.

We can offer file types such as

HDMP4
HD QuickTime
Image sequence files.

More information can be found by going to this page. Film Scanning in Full HD

Watch this short video for a demo on our frame scanner.

Below are some samples of film scanned on our full HD frame scanner.

Contact DVD Conversions to discuss your film transfer.

MP4 Files

MP4 is probably the most common file type we convert to. Whilst it is a very popular format there are limitations and disadvantages to the file type. The most common issue being compatibility between smart TV’s, BD players and other devices that support USB playback. In most cases it’s due to these devices only being able to support the FAT32 file system. So, what does that mean?

USB devices formatted as FAT32 only support files up to 4gb in size. Short duration videos are not a problem, however, longer video clips and their resulting files either need to be split into separate files or the compression ratio / data rate needs to be dropped to ensure the rendered file is less than 4GB. Typically, a 1h30 minute file with a data rate of 6mb/s will be around 4GB. Lowering the data rate will result in a loss of quality. As always with digital files it’s a tradeoff between file size and quality.

Files larger than 4gb can be copied to external flash storage however the external storage device needs to be formatted as NTFS or exFAT and these file structures are generally not compatible with smart devices.

If you are streaming your files from a computer, then typically the above is not an issue as most PC’s are formatted as NTFS and MAC’s generally support exfat or MAC OS Extended file data systems.

If you would like us to convert your videos to MP4 files, consider where the files will be viewed and on what devices. Let us know your preference and we will do what we can to ensure that your files are compatible with most devices.

Due to variations in manufacturer specifications we cannot guarantee that the files will play on all devices. If for any reason the files do not work on your computer we suggest downloading VLC Player, we have found VLC Player to be one of the best media players and it’s free.

If you have any concerns regarding the various file types and format options, please call or email us.

SP vs LP recording modes

We often get asked how SP and LP modes differ.

SP – Standard Play
LP – Long Play
EP – Extended Play

Most if not all manufacturer’s of domestic tape based recording systems such as VHS and Hi8 offered different recording speeds to extend the duration of the tapes. In basic terms the speed of the tape while the machine was recording was reduced, this offered longer recording times. There was however a trade off. Image and sound quality suffered in most cases.

A 3 hour VHS tape in LP mode would have the capability to record for 6 hours. Some VHS decks offered an EP mode which further extended the recording times. Most camcorders also offered LP modes to extend the recording times of cassettes which only offered relatively short recording times. A 45 min VHS C could record for up to 90 minutes in LP mode. Professional decks did not offer LP modes and as such cannot play tapes recorded in LP. Domestic VCR’s that offered LP modes automatically detected LP modes by monitoring the control track and adjusting the playback speed accordingly.

8mm to VHS Adaptor

8mm to VHS Cassette Adapter

Does such a thing exist? Short answer – NO

VHS and 8mm video formats are vastly different and are not compatible with each other. VHS is half inch tape while Hi8 / video 8 is 8mm wide. The recording formats also differ hugely in terms of the way the information is recorded onto the tape. The 2 formats were launched to compete with one another in the domestic camcorder market.

VHS C / VHS Compact

VHS has a smaller cousin – VHS C (Compact). VHS C or Compact was introduced to compete against 8mm / Hi8 in the consumer video camera market.

VHS C had one advantage over 8mm video formats in that one could use a VHS cassette adaptor. The VHS C cassette adaptor would allow the smaller or compact cassette to be played in a normal VHS VCR. Only VHS C tapes fit into the adaptor.

There is no adaptor to allow an 8mm video tape to fit into a VHS machine.

VHS C Adaptor Cassette to adapt VHS C to VHS full size

Some of the obvious differences between 8mm video and VHS C

Apart from the obvious differences in physical appearance and size, other factors such as tape / video head speed ratio, FM vs longitudinal audio recording and synch signal recording, make the formats technically incompatible.

VHS C tape (left) compared to a Video 8 tape (right). The tape width 12.7mm for VHS C vs 8mm for the Video 8 range of formats.

This in itself makes the 2 formats totally incompatible with one another.

Video 8 vs VHS C – the cassette sizes vary slightly.

VHS C (left) vs Video 8 (right).

VHS C measures 22mm high

Video8 measures 15 high

VHS C (left) and Video8 (right)

VHS C has a geared drive system on the take up reel. The reel hubs are different sizes and require different drive systems.

Close up of the inside of a VHSC Cassette adaptor.

The little gear on the side of the internal compartment engages with the gear on the take up reel of the VHS C tape.

When a VHS C tape is inserted into the cassette adaptor, the tape guides extract the magnetic tape and position the tape such that it is identical to a normal VHS tape.

Pros and Cons

I would argue that 8mm / Hi8 was a better format, image and audio quality was superior to the VHS C format.

VHS C

1/2 inch tape.
45 or 60 minute tapes – longer if the LP mode is selected.
Can be played in a VHS VCR with a cassette adaptor.
Poor image quality – when compared to Video 8.
Poor audio recording – when compared to Video 8.
Larger mechanism.

8/Hi8

8mm tape.
30, 60, 90 and 120 minute tapes with LP options.
Cannot be played in a VHS VCR.
Playback via the camera or dedicated 8mm VCR.
Superior image recording – when compared to VHS C.
Better audio recording – when compared to VHS C.
Smaller mechanism.

Convert 8mm video to digital files

Sony Hi8 video tape in original packaging

DVD Conversions are specialists in tape and media transfer, having been in the professional video market for 30 years. We have all the equipment to playback all the popular video formats.

Damaged tapes

VHS C and 8mm video tapes are very susceptible to moisture and mould damage. DVD Conversions offer a tape repair and cleaning service for tapes we are converting.

Visit this page for more information.

DVD Conversions convert professional and domestic video formats to digital files for archiving, viewing or editing.

Call us today to discuss your tape transfers. For more information got to our video to digital files page.

DVD Conversions Limited also trades as Digital Mix and Kodak Express Botany

Video to file transfer

Video conversion to digital file types

In a previous blog we explained the video to DVD process and the pros and cons of DVD. In this blog we will explain the video to Digital file process.

The file type is generally determined by what it will be used for.

For editing and archiving purposes we suggest files that have minimum or no or very low compression ratios, MOV / QuickTime or AVI is generally best suited for SD 720 x 576 video files. These files can get very large, approximately 13GB per hour using the DV codec or 6GB per hour using a high bandwidth MP4 codec

If the files are going to be used primarily for uploading to services such as YouTube, dropbox or other file transfer services then highly compressed files are probably best. There is always a trade off between file size and quality, large files = good quality, small files = lesser quality. MP4 is a good trade off between the two and is compatible with the vast majority of media players and smart devices.

It is best to convert to files that have a low compression ratio (MOV / AVI) or as close to uncompressed as possible. High compression files (MP4) can then be created from the low compression files. Remember that once compressed the files cannot be “uncompressed” without a loss in quality.

DVD conversions Limited uses a variety of domestic and industrial playback decks in conjunction with video and audio processing and calibration equipment to ensure that the quality of the recording is improved. Once captured on our edit systems we render the file type of your choice. Follow this link to go to our video to digital conversion page, or this link for video to DVD conversions. Contact us for any further queries

DVD Conversions Limited t/a Kodak Express Botany

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