8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm film to video transfer tips.
Video resolution is measured by how many horizontal lines can be drawn on the screen before they blur together. Broadcast and Master quality is considered to be 500 lines or more. VHS and VCD formats only deliver about 200 lines.
DVD, Digital-8 and Mini-DV vs VHS and S-VHS
An important difference between tapes and disks is the way the data is stored. VHS and S-VHS records each frame of video directly onto the tape. All the other formats use some form of compression to reduce the amount of space required to record the video. The more the video transfer is compressed, the lower the quality results. Mini-DV and Digital-8 have the lowest amount of compression and the best quality.
The best method is to use the format with the highest resolution to create your master. Then, make as many copies as you like from the master. Don't use your master for day to day viewing to prevent it from getting damaged. It's a good idea to store your master in a safe place such as a safe deposit box or a fire proof safe. Use a copy for regular viewing. If it gets damaged, you can make more copies from your master. (BACK)
The VHS format is the most common and least expensive tape format. It's also the lowest quality format. Up to 2 hours of video can fit on 1 tape. VHS delivers only about 200 lines of resolution. It's fine to make copies onto VHS, but it is not recommended for mastering. (BACK)
The S-VHS format is less common than VHS, but offers twice the resolution, about 400 lines. Up to 2 hours of video can fit on 1 tape. S-VHS offers a cost effective choice as a master format. A S-VHS tape will not play on a standard VHS deck. You must have a S-VHS or S-VHS ET deck. However, since it's not a good idea to use a master tape for day to day viewing, this shouldn't be a problem. Just use VHS or DVD copies made from the S-VHS master. (BACK)
The Digital-8 format is rapidly become a popular consumer format. It offers better than 400 lines of resolution. Up to 1 hour of video can fit on 1 tape. Digital-8 offers a cost effective choice as a master format. Digital-8 tape will only play on a Digital-8 deck or camera. However, since it's not a good idea to use a master tape for day to day viewing, this shouldn't be a problem. Just use VHS or DVD copies made from the Digital-8 master. (BACK)
The Mini-DV format is a popular consumer and professional format. It offers 500 or better lines of resolution. Up to 1 hour of video can fit on 1 tape. Mini DV offers a cost effective choice as a master format. Mini DV tape will only play on a Mini DV deck or camera. However, since it's not a good idea to use a master tape for day to day viewing, this shouldn't be a problem. Just use VHS or DVD copies made from the Mini DV master. (BACK)
The DVD format is quickly becoming the favorite media for viewing videos. It offers up to 500 lines of resolution. Up to 2 hours of video can fit on 1 DVD. DVDs record video in a compressed format and therefore is not as good as Mini-DV tape for mastering. On the plus side, DVDs are more durable than tapes and offer Menu and Chapters to allow instant access to different sections of the video. Most DVD players come with functions such as zooming in on the picture, slow and fast play speeds and many more useful functions. (BACK)
The S-VCD format is similar to the DVD format except that it only offers 400 lines of resolution . Up to 1 hour of video can fit on 1 S-VCD. Chapters are available. Most newer DVD players will play S-VCDs. Check your player's manual for compatibility. (BACK)
The VCD format is similar to the S-VCD format except that it only offers 200 lines of resolution . Up to 2 hours of video can fit on 1 VCD. Chapters are available. Most newer DVD players will play VCDs. Check your player's manual for compatibility. (BACK)
8MM, SUPER 8MM AND 16MM FILM TRANSFER QUALITY
The final quality of any 8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm film transfer will always depend on the original quality of the film itself. As a rule, Regular 8mm film has the lowest resolution, Super 8mm is next and 16mm has the best. The actual quality depends greatly on how well the film was shot and how well it's been stored over the years. (BACK)
