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.