There is nothing quite like watching a timeless 16mm film. Nearly everyone has a box of old film in his or her attic or basement. The old reels are wound and displayed somewhat neatly inside the box waiting patiently for their next showing. The memories and events captured onto the reels are meant to last forever. However, one of the biggest problems is that many people no longer have access to a 16mm projector to watch their old reels of film. Those who do have projector access may need to repair the projector or replace the bulb before viewing their films. For some, the cost involved with this maintenance exceeds their budget for nostalgic memories.
The advancements in digital technology have provided 16mm film owners with an easy solution.
You can archive your 16mm films onto digital video by using the telecine transfer process. A telecine transfer process captures the frames of the film and digitises them for easy transfer to digital video and capable storage devices. By using modern technology, the crystal clear digital video easily captures the frame-by-frame motion of the 16mm film. This high resolution improves the broadcast quality of your films and allows instant playback anywhere at any time. The telecine process is available in both standard definition and high-definition transfers for sharper image quality.
Telecine Advantages
Telecine offers many advantages for 16mm film owners. The film rolls can easily be transferred to a DVD. This means that you can easily take your DVD with you. It can be played back on any standard DVD player. No more lugging around a hefty projector or replacing expensive projector bulbs. A telecine to DVD transfer is the perfect solution for viewing your old 16mm film reels.
Another advantage is the colour correction that can be added to improve the look of your film. After the telecine process is completed, you can easily load your new digitised footage into a home computer for editing. This allows you to repair colours, make video collages, or add your favourite music. This is not possible without the telecine process.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the telecine process is the archiving process. Your films will now be digitalised using the highest quality digital encoding. This digitalisation can easily be stored on computer hard drives or digital videotapes and formats. This method will not deteriorate your films. A reel of film that does not receive telecine can begin to deteriorate when stored in damp basements or uncontrolled temperatures such as attics.
Types of Telecine
There are 3 types of telecine transfer processes, but only 2 are professional processes. The first, which is the least recommended, is to project your film footage against a white wall or white surface and record the projected footage with a camcorder. The outcome of this process is reflected in the poor quality video that is captured by the camcorder. As professionals, we do not recommend or use this process to transfer your film reels. It is purely for informational purposes.
The second telecine method is the least expensive for a professional telecine transfer. The images are transferred with a simple telecine unit. The unit consists of a simple lighted box with reflective mirrors inside. The image is captured by a small macro lens in real time and recorded to videotape. It is a better method when compared to projecting your footage against a white surface, but it is not without problems. The transfer will have less flicker and grain, but will have projector speed variations, hotspots, and blackened film edges.
The third and best method of telecine transfer is frame-by-frame capture. The film reels are scanned frame by frame with a high-resolution transfer scanner. The images are flicker free because there is no projection or out of sync projector speed used. The film cannot be damaged due to operator error or hot projector bulbs. The archival process is very easy and can be transferred to a hard drive, digital storage devices, or a DVD for safe storage.
Choosing a Telecine Company
Choosing the right telecine company does not have to be confusing. The best telecine companies have been in business for many years and have the experience necessary to successfully transfer multiple formats of film. A knowledgeable company should assist you with questions or concerns of the entire process from start to finish. A great company will provide you with accurate information before they ever earn your business.
Getting Started
There is not a better time to gather your reels of 16mm films and get a professional transfer by telecine. Give your reels of 16mm film the quality and archival benefits that they deserve. Remember, your 16mm films are supposed to be viewed not stored in those old boxes.
16mm film conversions by DiskBank Australia's leading provider of telecine transfer services for 16mm film.