Posts by Stephen
Mini DV to USB memory sticks
Mini DV tapes to USB memory sticks.
Mini DV to USB . Video Image productions have recently transferred a large amount of Mini DV tapes to USB memory sticks for various customers.
One of the big questions we get asked is will it play back on my TV or computer?
Answer.
The answer to to this question very much depends of the make and model of your Television and the operating system of your computer or tablet.
TVs Makes and models.
We recently transferred 20 Mini DVD tapes to MPEG 4 format. This seems to be the most generic codec for editing and playback purposes.
However the USB memory stick was formatted by us to EX FAT which appears to work with most TV models and computers MAC and PC.
Unfortunately the customers LG TV would only accept NT formatting. Therefore the USB stick had to be re formatted to NT.
USB Memory Sticks.
The make of USB memory stick we favour is Sandisk. Speed wise you really need USB 3 with at least 100 MBS.
Speed advantage.
Faster USB sticks allows the video to playback more smoothly as well as making transfer speeds of the files to computer faster.
Alternative video formats.
We can also supply other video formats.
Apple Pro Res.
AVI.
Apple Pro Res and AVI are high quality video formats which are used predominantly for editing. Unfortunately these codecs does take up a lot of disc space. Therefore It is more advisable, especially if you have quite a few tapes to store this format on an external hard drive. Please note that we can buy a drive in or you can supply one yourself.
SD card transfer.
As Video Image Productions is also a video production company. We have the facilities to transfer and edit your 4k SD cards.
Cloud transfer.
If you would prefer to receive your files directly to your computer we also provide a clod transfer service.
Super 8 films to USB memory stick.
Super 8 films to USB memory stick.
Picture above of the job we have just completed converting Super 8 film to USB memory stick. Please note we also transfer VHS tape to USB memory stick. This format allows you to play back your cine films on your computer or smart TV.
Super 8 films to USB.
Steps:
-
Set Up the Super 8 Film Scanner:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up and connect the Super 8 film scanner.
-
Load the Film:
- Load the Super 8 film into the film scanner according to the scanner’s instructions.
-
Connect USB Memory Stick:
- If the film scanner has a direct USB output, connect your USB memory stick to the scanner.
-
Configure Settings:
- Adjust the settings on the film scanner, such as resolution, frame rate, and output format. Higher resolutions will result in better image quality but larger file sizes.
-
Start Scanning:
- Initiate the scanning process. The film scanner will convert the analog film frames into digital images.
-
Save to USB Memory Stick:
- If the film scanner supports direct saving to USB, the digitized files will be saved directly onto the connected USB memory stick.
-
Verify and Organize:
- Check the digitized files on the USB memory stick to ensure the quality meets your expectations.
- Organize the files into folders if needed.
-
Backup:
- Create a backup of your digitized Super 8 film files to prevent accidental loss.
-
Editing (Optional):
- If necessary, you can edit the digitized files using video editing software on your computer before transferring them to the USB memory stick.
By using a Super 8 film scanner with a direct USB output feature, you can streamline the process of transferring Super 8 film to digital format and save it directly to a USB memory stick. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the film scanner for the best results.
Kodak super 8 EKTACHROME Film
A classic is back
Kodak super 8 Ektachrome.
KODAK EKTACHROME 7294 Color Reversal Film in Super 8 will be available for orders on October 1, 2018, with Super 16mm coming soon. We’ve received glowing reviews from our customer assessments and are now excited for filmmakers worldwide to enjoy the clean, vibrant colors, neutral tone scale, and extremely fine grain KODAK EKTACHROME Film offers.
We will continue to update this page with product availability and media coverage, so please check back often.
Video Image productions will be stocking Kodak super 8 Ektachrome. film stock at the moment we don’t have any idea of what the pricing will be.
We also provide a super 8 film scanning service.
Digital video tape transfer
Digital video tape transfer.
Video Image Productions are in the process of converting Mini DV tapes of an un edited film shot on Mini DV tapes in 16:9 aspect ratio.
Mini DV tapes captured digital video onto magnetic video tape. Encoding was MPEG 2.
Camcorders.
In my opinion the two best Mini DV camcorders were the Sony Z1 and the Panasonic DVX100. Both camcorders had a 3CCD setup for superior colour rendition. The Panasonic could record 24p frames per second for a more filmic look, and had cine gamma settings.
Digital video tape transfer can be Mini DV tapes, Digital 8 tapes or Digital Betacam video. Digital Betacam was the gold standard for standard definition video capture.
Capture.
Transfer is via firewire to ensure no quality loss of the digital video tapes during transfer.
Capture of the Mini DV tapes is through Final Cut Pro 7. Setting within FCP are set to Pro Res 422 and copied to hard disc.
Final Digital video files for the customer will be copied onto USB memory sticks. It is important that the USB memory sticks are USB 3 and around 95mbs speed. You can use slower cards but it takes a long time to copy the files to your computer with the slower cards. If the files run into the 1TB or above size then you are best of having us transfer them to an external hard drive. We can buy an external drive in for you or you can provide one yourself and send it with the tapes.
Video editing.
We also recommend that the files are copied onto fast AV hard drives for editing. The fastest of these drives are SSD but they are expensive and not really necessary for Standard Definition editing. Two of the best Software packages for video editing are Adobe Premier and Apples Final Cut Pro.
16mm sound film conversion to Pro Res
16mm sound film to Pro Res.
At present Video Image Productions are in the process of converting 16mm film to Apple Pro Res format for a Hovercraft Museum.
I took the picture at the Museum of this monster. This hovercraft used to run between Dover and Calais.
A 16mm sound film refers to a motion picture film format that is 16 millimeters wide and includes a soundtrack for synchronized sound. The 16mm film format has been widely used in both professional and amateur filmmaking.
In the early days of cinema, 16mm film was primarily used for non-theatrical purposes, such as educational films and home movies. However, with the advent of synchronized sound technology, 16mm sound film became more prevalent for various applications.
Here are some key points about 16mm sound film:
- Soundtrack: 16mm sound film includes a magnetic or optical soundtrack that carries the audio information. The soundtrack runs parallel to the filmstrip and is typically located on the edge of the film.
- Professional Use: While 16mm film started as a format for amateur filmmakers, it found its way into professional use for certain applications. For example, documentaries, newsreels, and some independent films were shot on 16mm.
- Amateur Filmmaking: Many enthusiasts and amateur filmmakers used 16mm film for shooting home movies, as it provided a more accessible and affordable option compared to larger film formats.
- Magnetic and Optical Sound: The soundtrack on 16mm sound film could be either magnetic or optical. Magnetic soundtracks used a magnetic coating on the film to record audio, while optical soundtracks employed variations in light intensity to represent sound.
- Decline in Use: With the rise of digital technology and high-definition video, 16mm film has seen a decline in use for mainstream filmmaking. However, it still holds historical and artistic significance, and some filmmakers continue to use it for its unique aesthetic qualities.
- Archival Challenges: Preserving and restoring 16mm sound film can be challenging due to issues such as deterioration of the film stock and potential degradation of the sound elements. Archivists and preservationists often work to digitize and restore these films for future generations.
In summary, 16mm sound film refers to a motion picture format that combines a 16mm filmstrip with synchronized sound, either through a magnetic or optical soundtrack. While it has seen a decline in mainstream use, it remains relevant in certain niche applications and holds historical value in the world of filmmaking.
Picture above showing the 16mm sound films to be converted to Apple Pro Res.