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 (400 feet) or larger, such as 8" reels (600 ft), 10" reels (800 feet) and
12" reels (1200 ft).
How do we do it? To
capture your precious 8mm film, we use the ScanStream Rapid Motion Picture
Scanning System which provides TRUE frame-by-frame scanning in full 1080P
high-definition. 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. Our high
definition capture of each frame provides you with the most resolution
possible. Those individual frame images are collected and turned into
high-quality digital video files which are then used to create your DVD's or
download to hard drive. Since we are capturing frames and not video,
there are no partial frames, which degrade the viewing quality. 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. This is
the single most important aspect of choosing a provider.
As described above, we digitally capture each frame of film using the
best equipment. 8mm film offers the equivalent of 800 lines of
resolution. Since we can capture 1080 lines of resolution, we clearly
are maximizing what your film has to offer.
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. Even if
another provider offers frame-by-frame digital capture, they are most likely
using a 1 CCD or 3CCD camera which maxes out at 480 lines of resolution.
Our frames are 1920 x 1080, those providers can only offer you 720 x 480
frames. 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.