8mm Film to DVD. How Do I Convert it?

Watching an old film without a projector is impossible. Video technicians first convert film into video files for today’s devices. There are two choices: 8mm film to digital and 8mm film to DVD. The process is straightforward.

Capture 8mm Film to DVD

Step 1 requires specialized equipment to copy or scan film and convert it to a digital format. Originally, old projectors projected film on a screen or directly into a camera. Today, standard equipment performs frame-by-frame scanning with a choice of scan resolutions, real-time scan lighting adjustments, and multiple output options including frame rate and resolution settings.

Insist On a Clean Frame

There is no reason to settle for ‘rough’ frames. It is a simple software process that makes a clean, full frame for every frame. The look is clean and watchable without distraction. There will be film flutter here and there from damaged sprocket holes caused by either the camera or the projector decades ago, but for the most part, a clean video can be expected.

Make Basic Color and Light Adjustments

Along with a clean frame, basic lighting and color can be adjusted as needed. Choices are available for simple, basic correction up to scene-by-scene correction. Film fades over time and needs to be darkened, contrast increased, or red level lowered, for example. Lighting might have been poor when exposed through the camera, and it requires extra lighting.

Create The Final Format

Once captured and all edits have been made, the video is exported to the final desired format, usually mp4, mov, or DVD. Size and resolution must also be chosen, and DVDs physically burned and labeled, or copies made to USBs/hard drives.

Other Options

There are many choices when digitizing film, including:

1. Frame size
2. Resolution
3. Hand Cleaning
4. Scene-by-scene light and color correction

Frame size matters, depending on the device(s) used, from a smartphone to a large-screen TV. Resolution affects the sharpness and clarity of the picture, the tradeoff being file size or number of DVDs required. While hand cleaning isn’t needed for most situations, it is an option. Scene-by-scene light and color monitoring adds time and is people-intensive.

Don’t Skip on Backups

Costs add up when having film professionally converted to digital, including DVD. If you add even more expense to back up your digital video can seem like a lot. Remember that doing what it takes to create backups is very cheap insurance if you don’t want to pay for the conversion effort again.

Backup DVDs

There are two strategies for backing up DVDs, with advantages and disadvantages to both.

1. Make copies of DVDs. For the price of a DVD copy or two, you insure hundreds of dollars of film conversion.
   • Advantages.
     • A simple, straightforward, inexpensive way to backup converted film on DVDs.
     • A 2nd copy of the same format that you want to begin with.
   • Disadvantages.
     • DVD players will not be around forever, but DVDs require players.
     • DVDs are damaged, scratched, warped by heat/sun, and just plain wear out.
     • Sharing DVDs means copying and shipping.
       
2. Make a Digital copy at the same time in mp4 format. This is a simple process for most professional conversion companies. After capturing and editing 8mm film as stated above, USB and hard drive creation with mp4 versions of the converted film is straightforward.
   • Advantages.
     • Secure, converted film.
     • Backup formats are modern and more usable in the future if needed.
     • If DVD Players are still available, burn new DVDs from the backup..
     • Sharing is much easier and faster through the internet, especially through the cloud.
   • Disadvantages.
     • Digital is a different format compared to what you are used to.
     • Digital requires a basic level of computer knowledge to manage and recover.

Convert 8mm film to DVD? Next Steps

1. Call or text Jamey (About Jamey) at 720 204-5464.
2. Set an appointment (every project receives my individual attention).
3. Drop off your tapes (and records, cassettes, slides, or negatives, too). Check Pricing!
4. In a week or less, pick up your new digitized videos.