Believe it or not, there was a time when we couldn’t instantly capture memories to share with family and friends. One of the first motion capture devices used 8mm film to store those precious moments. Unfortunately, this material won’t last forever and only deteriorates with age. In order to preserve what was captured, you’ll need to transfer 8mm film to DVD or another digital format.

Transfer 8mm Film the Easy Way

One of the best ways to transfer 8mm film is to put it into the hands of a professional video editing and production service. The pros have the proper equipment and know-how to carefully transfer delicate 8mm footage. While this option may cost more than doing it yourself, there’s a better chance of successfully completing the transfer of your priceless memories.

Transfer 8mm Film the DIY Way

If you’d rather try to transfer footage from 8mm film to DVD yourself, you’ll need the following equipment:

• 8mm movie projector, preferably one that has at least a three-bladed shutter and variable speed control
• A recording device (not your smartphone) with variable exposure and shutter speed control
• White card or film transfer box
• DVD recorder or VCR

One way to transfer 8mm film yourself is to project the film images onto a white card that functions like a small screen. Line up the recorder lens so that what’s being projected fills the screen.

If you use the film transfer box method, the movie projector projects the image onto a mirror inside the box that is positioned at an angle. The image deflects into the camcorder lens, capturing the image off the mirror and sending the image to the DVD recorder or VCR.

The variable speed control, multi-bladed shutter, and variable exposure and shutter speeds are important to the process since the film rate for 8mm film is usually 18 frames per second, while the frame rate of the camcorder is 30 frames per second. If these variables are incorrect, you may experience frames skipping, jumping, and flickering throughout the recording. Correcting the speeds offers a smoother experience.

Save Your Memories While You Still Can

If you currently have a collection of 8mm film, you may notice them starting to fade and decay. Save these memories while you still can by transferring the footage to DVD or a digital format. Whether you have the patience to set up the DIY transfer, or you want to invest in professional services, you’ll be preserving memories for future generations to enjoy.

Call Disc Hounds at 610-696-8668 with any questions about transferring 8mm film to DVD as well as other digital formats. We’re happy to help you preserve your memories for years to come.