| Video has several characteristics that determine how | | | | or project the image directly onto a CCD device. |
| good it is. One of the most important characteristics | | | | Reading each frame one at a time ensures that all |
| is the number of lines of resolution. The resolution | | | | the details are captured from the film. A frame by |
| determines how detailed and sharp the video is. If | | | | frame process will result in video that is 30-50% |
| you've ever watched a standard definition video | | | | better than a similarly configured real-time process. |
| channel on an HDTV and then switched to the HD | | | | Be aware, some companies claiming a frame by |
| version, you notice that the HD version is much | | | | frame transfer are doing a real-time transfer and |
| sharper and detailed. The reason is that standard | | | | then are extracting each film frame after the real |
| definition video has 480 horizontal lines while HD has | | | | time capture. Because the capture process is |
| 1080 lines. | | | | real-time, it will still produce video that is 30-50% |
| In a similar way, your old 8mm movie films have a | | | | worse than the current film's quality just like any |
| maximum resolution. The maximum resolution for an | | | | other real-time process. These companies are trying |
| 8mm film transfer is limited by the film grain size and | | | | to capitalize on the "Frame by Frame" slogan and |
| the size of the frame. Research has shown that | | | | price without giving you frame by frame quality. |
| 8mm film has the equivalent of 700 lines of horizontal | | | | So, at this point you've learned that film transfers |
| resolution. So, a standard definition 8mm film transfer | | | | can capture at standard definition (480 lines) or high |
| will only be able to capture 480 out of the 700 lines | | | | definition (1080 lines). You've also learned that a |
| of resolution on your film. A high definition 8mm film | | | | frame by frame transfer can be 30-50% better |
| transfer will be able to capture all 700 lines of | | | | quality than a real-time transfer. So, looking at it this |
| resolution on your 8mm film since it is a 1080 line | | | | way, there are now four 8mm film transfer process |
| video format. | | | | combinations. In order from least to best quality we |
| In addition to resolution, the type of film transfer is | | | | have: |
| equally important to the final video quality you | | | | 1) Real-Time Standard Definition (least quality) |
| receive from your 8mm film transfer. | | | | 2) Real-Time High Definition |
| There are a few basic types of 8mm film transfer | | | | 3) Frame by Frame Standard Definition |
| processes. More than 98% of the companies out | | | | 4) Frame by Frame High Definition (best quality) |
| there today use a real-time transfer. That is, they | | | | You'll find all four processes being used today and |
| capture the film at the same speed that the film | | | | you'll see the price reflect that. Real-time standard |
| normally runs at. So, if a 3 inch reel runs in 3.5 | | | | definition processes go for 10 to 15 cents/ft, |
| minutes, the capture takes just 3.5 minutes. There | | | | real-time high definition for 16-21 cents/ft, frame by |
| are several ways to perform a real-time 8mm film | | | | frame standard definition 21 to 28 cents/ft and |
| transfer. Some shoot the film on a screen and record | | | | frame by frame high definition for 40 to 60 cents/ft |
| it with a camcorder. Some use mirrors and a camera. | | | | Besides these 4 different 8mm film transfer |
| Some transfer the film to VHS first using equipment | | | | processes above, you'll notice that a few companies |
| from the 1980's and then transfer that to DVD. | | | | have started to offer restoration services. The |
| Because of the transfer speed and nature of a | | | | reason is that over 90% of the 8mm film today has |
| real-time capture, the resulting video frames are | | | | colors that have shifted, exposure that is now |
| usually slightly blurry and the colors are faded | | | | darker, is grainy and scratched. These are natural side |
| compared to the film. In general, any type of | | | | affects of the aging process. In addition, there may |
| real-time transfer will result in video that is 30-50% | | | | have been exposure or other types of issues that |
| worse than the film's current condition. | | | | were originally recorded on the film to begin with. |
| A second and much newer 8mm film transfer | | | | Companies will have a wide range of abilities from no |
| process is called frame by frame. A frame by frame | | | | restoration at all, to a limited scene level color |
| process means that each 8mm film frame is captured | | | | corrector, to full frame by frame restoration using |
| like a separate digital picture. Most frame by frame | | | | dedicated film restoration machines. |
| machines are high-end $50,000+ machines that scan | | | | |