8mm movies on VHS to DVD

bkthiess wrote on 12/22/2004, 5:42 AM

My parents transferred their 8mm film movies to VHS ten years ago. I want to archive those VHS images to DVD. I've done some color correction, etc. My question is this...is it better to render the movie at 24p or 30 fps? Remember that it's already been put on NTSC VHS. Will that make a difference?

Comments

farss wrote on 12/22/2004, 5:51 AM

8mm is very unlikely to be 24fps, some was shot at that speed but it was very uncommon so I'd stick with 60i. Even if it was 24fps unless it was done on a telecine it's quite likely the pulldown isn't right anyway, many of the processes are more frame merge than anything (the shutter in the camera isn't synced to the shutter in the projector).
Bob.

jsteehl wrote on 12/22/2004, 6:07 AM

I'm in the same situation. But I've decided to go back to original 8mm film and retransfer it myself using a workprinter (www.moviestuff.tv) because the orginal transfer was analog and pretty poor (which I think was the norm for those types of transfers).

I'm able to get a better transfer by digitizing frame by frame (at about 8fps). Also, I get more of the frame, all the way to the sprocket holes actually :).

Then I do color correction and the whole 9 yards with better starting media.

But if you are sticking with the VHS you should not have to do any speed conversion as it was already done at the telecine (assuming they did it correctly).

Funny, I was going to sell the WorkPrinter and rig after my transfers were done but this has turned into a little side biz :)

Do a search here on "WorkPrinter" and you will get more info that is good even if you are not re-transfering the film (filters, Vdub, flicker etc.).

-Jason

pb wrote on 12/22/2004, 7:20 AM

most 8mm / Super 8 is 16 or 18 fps. You can use an ordinary projector to get the film on to video BUT after that you will spend hours fiddling with Virtual Dub flicker removal to make the transfer presentable. I strongly recommend you do not go that route because it ties up your PC for a long, long time.

That GOKO TC-20 does a pretty nice job for transfers, if you can locate one. What started as a request from a corporate client a few months escalated into us buying a Bell & Howell 8mm/Super 8 & telecine box plus a GOKO TC-20, both off Ebay. There is enough demand up here that I reckon we will recoup our investment within a month or so. AND I finally found a use for our Canon XL1 with the defective lens! Bonus.

Peter

Summersond wrote on 12/22/2004, 10:25 AM

Peter, I checked into your recommendation of the GOKO yesterday, and found this website. It says his way is far better than using the GOKO, and shows examples. Here is the link if you care to enlighten me on what the Hell he means by "we use a PHOTONIC FILM FRAME SCANNER"

http://www.saveyourmovies.com/FilmConversion_ConsumerProfessional_001.htm

Thanks!
Dave