Converting 8mm film to Video

[Caskbill]

I'm assuming anything related to photography will apply to this board... :teeth:

I've got a lot of old family 8mm home movies I'd like to edit and make some DVD's.

Step one is to convert to digital, basically just projecting the film on a screen and video it with the camcorder. (Sony digital).

Step two is to use Video software to edit, add some titles, transitions, etc. I've done some with the straight video using Pinnacle's Studio 8.

The question is, does anyone have any 'tricks' or suggestions on how to eliminate or even just highly reduce the 'flicker' that I get when the old film at 18fps is photographed by the digital at 30fps, thus every so often the digital frame is nothing more than a black frame as it captures the blackout during the film's transition between frames.

Thanks

[MicMin]

Have you tried setting up your camcorder at a slight angle to the screen you are recording from? This made a huge difference for the tapes that I made copies of.

[AZ JazzyJ]

Some of the higher ended video editing tools will allow you to adjust timing and frames per second (FPS) for playback. Adobe Premiere Pro will give you this option to match the input with the output. It does take doing a little mathematics to determine the right speed but will reduce the flickering. A lot of times though I leave the flicker in the DVDs that I do since it adds character and most of my clients like the memory those old 8mm replays bring.


Jeff

[Caskbill]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into those.

[Beth]

I've used the "YesVideo" service offered thru my local Walgreen's to convert many old VHS tapes before they deteriorated any more...

It's a little pricey for 8mm but, if you've got one or two that you "really" want a better quality result, you could give them a try. (My local Walgreen's would oftten offer coupons, though.)

They have drop-off locations through many merchant's - not just Walgreen's.

Here's a link to their site, where you can enter your zip code and see if there's a "store near you."

Just a thought...

http://www.yesvideo.com/code/scripts/mqinterconnect.exe?link=find