Hi,
I am trying to convert my Grandfather's old movies over to dvd. I have his projector running into a thing (forgot what its proper name is) that puts the same image out on the other side to be recorded by a video camera. I did this and it worked fine but the problem is that I get an extreme flicker on the stuff that the video camera recorded. I know it is because of the projector and it is not a variable speed projector, is there anyway to get rid of the flicker or at least minimalize it? PLease help me, he has some really great stuff but if I watch much more of it like this im gonna toss my cookies!!!!!!!!!
thanks
Matt

mstolzenfels@hotmail.com

Matt-
Your problem is that you need a projector with a five bladed shutter to remove the flicker. Generally speaking, transferring movies to video via a box with a mirror in it is going give you poor results. What is happeniong is that you are sending the light from the movies against a mirror to an opaque screen on which you have to focus your video camera.
The light is getting dispersed and if you're using a regular projector to run the movies, the picture is going to flicker. At the same time, the image is losing focus on each bounce of light. Also, you're probably running the movies at 16-18 fps (silent speed) and video records at 30 fps. Generally speaking, it just isn't worth the effort to use those boxes.

You might want to look in your phone book for video transfers and seek out someone who does transfers on a more professional basis. I'm not saying you need a major film studio but you probably need to go to someone who has a better system. We use Elmo TRV units for our 8mm and Super 8 mm transfers. Both pick up the film image on a video CCD and send it directly to DV tape (or any other VCR) from which we can make DVD's or tape copies. These Elmo units are no longer made and cost over $ 2500 each but they are a long shot better than the mirrored box. Elmo also has a 16mm version that costs around $ 5,000. We use one of those to do many 16mm transfers unless it needs to go to a major studio for a more defined transfer. There are other systems but you need to be sure you're getting a good job for your money.
-Jim Herron

hrvideo@mindspring.com

Matt,
the device you are describing is called a "telecine." But you might try a variable speed projector first, before you take your films to a transfer house. At around 20 fps the flicker will be minimized and may be acceptable, however keep in mind that since the projector's frame rate is now higher than the rate at which the films were photographed, you may notice the slight increase in speed. If they're silent films you may decide you can live with the increase, but if there is
sound on the film, the increased pitch may be unacceptable. Also note that the speed of these projectors are going to vary continuously, only slightly, but enough to cause the flicker to come and go throughout the process.

On the camera side of things set your camcorder to manual focus to keep it from "hunting" during the transfer, and try manual exposure as well to keep the camera from reacting to each new shot.

Jim is correct that a dedicated system with five bladed shutter will trick the 30 fps video frame rate into seeing the old films at apparently the same speed. Also keep in mind that professional transfer systems often use audio-style capstans in their film transports and are much more gentle on your old films.

If you decide to continue transferring them yourself, wear and tear could become an issue. If you seek out a "professional" transfer, find one that will clean and lubricate the films during the transfer.



SJHussar@aol.com