Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Film Transfer Questions

How much does it cost to digitize my film?

It depends on which options you choose, but regular transfer is priced at $0.25 per foot, which works out to $12.50 for a 50-ft reel.

What process do you use to transfer film?

We use an all-digital, frame-by-frame, aerial-capture process with a 3CCD camera. This method produces the highest possible video quality, with the exception of film scanning, which is usually cost-prohibitive. Learn more about our process.

What film formats can you transfer?

8mm, Super 8mm, and 16mm. We transfer optically- and magnetically-recorded sound.

What is involved with sound film?

We transfer both optically- and magnetically-recorded film audio. We optimize the sound quality by controlling the gain and reducing the noise. The audio is then seamlessly integrated with the video.

What format will my digital video be in?

Your film will be transferred to a high quality DVD-R disc that is compatible with almost all DVD players. We also recommend that you preserve an uncompressed master copy of your film. We usually provide these on master-grade mini-DV tapes.

How much film fits on a DVD disc?

A single DVD disc holds up to 2 hours of video, which equals about 1600 feet of 8mm film or 3200 feet of 16mm film. For more details see the Film Table.

Will my playable DVD be compatible with all DVD players?

We use DVD-R format, which is supported by almost all DVD players.

Will anyone watch my film during transfer?

No, the transfer is done automatically by dedicated equipment. However, we will need to glance through parts of your film for quality control and in order to install certain features.