About Film to Video Transfer
Quality
 | Our transfer method actually digitizes each film frame
separately. More common transfer methods, like telecine projectors, just run the film at or near the normal running speed and capture the video in real-time. There is no synchronization between advancing of the film frame and the exposure of a video frame. Therefore, many video frames are composed of a double exposure of two film frames. |
| Aerial projection is used. The film image is never projected onto a screen that may add a grainy look. The camera is focused directly on the film. |
| 3-CCD digital camera 3-CCD camera results in a higher quality video image. |
| Fully Digital processing After the film is digitized by the camera it is never converted back into analog. Be aware that some business actually transfer the video to tape and then record it to a DVD. The quality isn't any better than the tape used to create the DVD. |
| No flicker Our method produces no flicker and there is no need to compromise the frame rate. In some cases, other processes have to adjust the film's speed to reduce flicker. |
Film Care
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The film is cleaned to remove dust. |
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Inspection is made of the film for damage and repaired. |
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No high-wattage projection lamps are used. |
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Imaging is done at a slower frame rate. |
So What is the Big Deal?
When I try to explain the above, there is always a blank stare of "So what".
So lets look at the difference between our method verses the typical method.
Typically the film is projected at normal projection speed while a camera records the image to video. First of all the projector has a blade that strobes the projector's light. This allows the film frame to be advanced without being seen. However. this strobe is seen by the camera and introduces flicker into the video. To reduce this flicker a 5 bladed shutter may be used and/or the projector's speed may be slightly adjusted to reduce the flicker. Basically the frequency of the strobe has to such that it will not be visible to the camera.
Another side effect is the playback speed may not be correct. I have actually seen a video where the film was running noticeably slow in order to reduce flicker.
And lastly a video frame may actually consist of a partial exposure of two different film frames. When a video frame is being "exposed", the projector may pull down the next frame. Thus producing a double exposure.
In contrast our method takes an image of each frame. There is no strobe effect to introduce flicker. The frame rate is adjusted by a computer for proper speed. The results give video frames that have one clear image of a film frame. That is why pictures can be made from our transfers.
So why doesn't everyone do it this way? The typical method allows an instant transfer. Just plug the camera into a DVD recorder and start the film. So in about 4 minutes a 50 foot roll of film can be done. Compare 4 minutes to the 20 minutes it takes to transfer 50 feet of film this way. It is just too slow for mass production.
At Simply Digital Video we want to offer transfers with extra care to please our customers and maintain an affordable cost. Try us. We are sure you'll like our service.