Would you like to travel back in time? Let Memory Keepers help, by converting your old 8mm and 16mm "reel-to-reel" film to DVD! Please read our information below, and visit our FAQs and Pricingpages.
The types of film that can be converted
are:
8mm film - Used primarily from 1932 to mid-1960's
Super 8mm film - Used from April 1965 to the 1990's
16mm film - Introduced for home use in 1923
Movies on processed 8mm or Super 8mm film are
typically found on 50-foot reels, which are 3" in diameter. Movies on processed
16mm film are typically found on 100-foot reels, which are 4"
in diameter. Previously consolidated 8mm or Super 8mm films
are found on 4" reels (100 feet), 5" reels
(200 feet), 6" reels (300 feet) and 7" reels (400 feet). Previously consolidated 16mm films are typically found on 7" reels or larger.
How do we do
it? We use the
ScanStream Rapid Motion Picture Scanning System which provides TRUE
frame-by-frame scanning of your precious movie film. This is the same
equipment employed by the Academy of Motion Pictures Film Archives in
Hollywood. In addition, the robust capabilities of this equipment received
high praise by PC Magazine.
We
capture only a full and accurate image of each and every frame
of your film. Those individual frame images are collected and turned into high-quality
digital video files which are then used to create your DVD's. Since we
are capturing frames and not video, there are no partial frames, which degrade viewing. Also, there are no issues with shutter speed conflicts which cause "flicker". If you have seen other transferred movie film, which appear to have a dominating light that constantly pulses on and off, then you know the value of a flicker-free transfer.
The first step in our conversion service is to carefully examine the film for any defects, such as torn sprocket holes, burns, or otherwise unusable footage. Any such sections of film are carefully repaired, or removed if necessary.
Next, all of your film is cleaned and conditioned by hand. This is one of the most important aspects of the conversion process. Dust, mildew, and other particles will cause significant reduction in image quality. We remove all contaminants in order to give you the cleanest, clearest picture possible.
Finally, your 50-foot rolls are consolidated on to 400-foot reels in order to more efficiently and effectively complete the conversion process. Your footage will be returned to you on these 400-foot reels (7" in diameter).
At Memory Keepers, we value your memories like they are our
own. We ask you to consider the following items should you compare our service
to others:
Your movies never leave our care, custody and control. We
do the work ourselves and do not ship your film off to a transfer house on the
West Coast. Your movies will be expertly transferred by a mature
and extremely competent technician.
The quality of the final product is dependent on the use of superior equipment and processes.
There is only one better transfer process than ours. That transfer
process is referred to as a Rank Turbo transfer. While our transfer process has
been compared very favorably to the Rank
Turbo transfer by PC Magazine, a Rank Turbo transfer is the best. A
Rank Turbo transfer costs many multiples of what we charge.
Other film transfer providers use inferior
services which can include filming a projected image off of a
screen, using fixed-rate capture processes (which typically create video
at a speed different from the speed the film was orignally shot at),
using multiple reflection surfaces between the film and the capture device,
using older analog VHS capture devices (and then transferring to DVD, which still
only yields analog VHS quality), etc. In addition, many other
providers do NOT clean and condition your film.
We know you will be very happy with the quality of our work.