What type of film do I have?

Standard 8 (also known as Regular 8 or just 8mm) and Super8 film are about a quarter inch thick. Standard 8 film has larger sprockets than Super 8 film. Only Super8 film was made with sound. If your film has a brown stripe opposite to the sprockets, it may have sound. 16mm film is twice as thick as 8mm film, approximately half an inch thick. If 16mm film has sprockets on both sides of the film, it does not have sound. If 16mm film only has sprockets running down one side of the film, it may have sound.

How can I determine the length/run time of my film?

8mm and Super8 generally have 3 sizes of film reels. 3" reels (diameter of the reel) are 50ft in length and run for approximately 3 minutes. 5" reels are 200ft in length and run for approximately 12 minutes. 7" reels are 400ft in length and run for approximately 24 minutes. Reels may not be full. 5" reels are composed of four 3" reels spliced together. 7" reels are composed of eight 3" reels spliced together. Usually there are markers on the sides of the reels showing the amount of feet.

How can I determine the length/run time of my film?

8mm and Super8 generally have 3 sizes of film reels. 3" reels (diameter of the reel) are 50ft in length and run for approximately 3 minutes. 5" reels are 200ft in length and run for approximately 12 minutes. 7" reels are 400ft in length and run for approximately 24 minutes. Reels may not be full. 5" reels are composed of four 3" reels spliced together. 7" reels are composed of eight 3" reels spliced together. Usually there are markers on the sides of the reels showing the amount of feet.

16mm film has a large range of reel sizes. Like 8mm film, there are usually markers on the side of the reel to show the amount of feet the reels contains. 16mm film ranges from 50ft reels to 2000ft reels. 50ft reels are approximately 1 minutes and 30 seconds in length. 5" 200ft reels are approximately 6 minutes in length. 7" 400ft reels are approximately 12 minutes in length. The list goes on to 2000ft.

How can I tell if my film has sound?

8mm film does not have sound but Super8 film was made with the option of sound. If your film has a brown stripe opposite to the sprockets, it may have sound. If 16mm film has sprockets on both sides of the film, it does not have sound. If 16mm film has sprockets running down one side of the film, it may have sound.

Is the film transfer process safe for my film?

The film transfer is definitely safe for your film. Our custom built machines feed the film around 45 degree angles, unlike a projector with small winds and turns. Splices are safe in our machine. If splices are completely dry or already broken, we will re-splice the film. Low heat bulbs are used to light up the image so it is impossible for the film to burn. Dirt is cleaned off the film before the image is captured. You will receive your film back in better condition than it was at drop off.

How long will it take to process my order?

We generally turn around orders within 2 weeks of drop off, depending on the size of order. We will negotiate a date of completion to aim for at time of drop off. If you are in need of a rush job, we can often times work towards that date.

How many reels fit onto a DVD?

Thirty to forty 3" 8mm reels fit onto a DVD. Approximately eight to ten 5" 8mm reels fit onto a DVD. Approximately four to 5 7" 8mm reels fit onto a DVD. Approximately 1600 to 2000 feet of film can fit onto a DVD (amount may vary).

How do I edit my movies?

The best way to do so is have us digitize your films into editable video files. We can supply these high quality files on an external hard drive or on a set of DVDs. Depending on the amount of film; an external hard drive may be worthwhile. Talk to us to find out more! 416-479-0537.

How do you digitize my film?

We have custom built direct-to-digital machines that digitize your film footage frame by frame. Once footage is transferred to a high quality video file, it is adjusted for colour and clarity. Leaders, splices, very over and under exposed areas, blank footage and burned frames are edited out.

What different resolutions can I choose from?

We can supply you with DVDs, AVI and/or MOV files at 720x480 (standard video) or high definition files up to 1920x1080. Contact us if you have any specific questions on resolution – 416-479-0537.

What different digital formats/file types can I receive back?

We can supply various video files for both Mac and PC. We can make them web ready, transfer them to DVD and Blu-ray or give you a high quality archival MiniDV tape back-up. Call us and tell us your situation and we can give you suggestions – 416-479-0537.

Is my film transferred on site?

All of your footage transferred on site. Everything is done in our studio. Many other studios, 1 hour photo labs and transfer houses outsource their projects to us.

Do you enhance the footage?

We have custom built direct-to-digital machines that digitize your film footage frame by frame. Once footage is transferred to a high quality video file, it is adjusted for colour, clarity and exposure. If indoor film was used outside, causing a very blue image or if outdoor film was used indoors, causing a very red image, we will adjust the colours to the best of our ability. Leaders, splices, very over and under exposed areas, blank footage and burned frames are edited out.

What if I don't know the chronological order of my film reels?

If your reels are not in a specific order, we will number the reels as we capture the footage into our computers (1,2,3,4 etc.). We will title each reel at the beginning ( reel 1,2,3,4 etc.) so you can cross reference the footage in the video to the film reel it came from. We can do one of two things for you (or both):

• 1. We can supply you with editable video files on an external hard drive, a set of DVDs or on MiniDV tape. This will allow you to rearrange reels and edit out any areas you want from the comfort of your own home.
• 2. We will create a proof disc that you take home and watch. You then send us an email with a list of how the reels should be rearranged. For example, instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc., you create a new order like 5, 12, 1, 8, 16, 3, 6, etc. And you add a title beside each reel number according to the footage on the reel. Then we will rearrange the films in the order you requested, we delete the reel numbers from the titles and we add the new titles you have supplied.

If you decide to go with both options, you will have the comfort of knowing that professionals will re-edit your movies and also have a high quality back up in case you ever want to use the movies again for other projects.