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choose film conversion process

The first table shows how the same film looks using our 4 different processes. You can see that the difference can be significant for our Billings customers.

The second table presents a case for scanning 8mm and Super 8 film at 2K resolution. In the past year we have done 20 comparisons. Contrary to popular belief, we do see a noticeable difference in quality between our Pro HD and Pro 2K process on 8mm and Super 8 film.

In general it is recommended that you scan at or above the resolution of the film. For 8mm and Super 8 that means scanning at HD or 2K.

8mm And Super 8 Film Billings


SD Scan

  • This SD scan was performed with a SD frame by frame machine. The film is ran through a projector and captured using a camcorder.
  • If you compare this to the HD or Pro 2K scan you can see that this SD scan almost looks blurry.
  • In addition, you can see the blue color shift. This is very common on both 8mm and Super 8 film.


Pro HD Scan


Pro 2K Scan

  • This Pro 2K Scan (1556 lines) was performed with a professional 2K Datacine machine.
  • This example also includes our optional color correction restoration.
  • Compared to the Pro HD scan you can see more details and better color and skin tone.


Pro 4K Scan

  • This Pro 4K Scan (3112 lines) was performed with a professional 4K Datacine machine.
  • This example also includes our optional color correction restoration.
  • Most 8mm and Super 8 film will not benefit from a 4K scan. But you can go out to a 4K format like 4K-ProRes. This would allow you to create formats for your 4K/UHD TV.

 

Film Resolution


8mm 2K Scan

Resolution of Film


  • Determining resolution of film can be a very complicated and controversial task involving many variables.
  • The image to the left is a 2K scan (1556 lines from top to bottom) of 8mm film
  • At full frame it looks nice and clear and you don't see a lot of film grain or digital pixilation.


8mm 2K Scan

Film Grain

  • As you zoom in you can start to see the film grain (looks like little dots or bumps).
  • We've highlighted the smallest feature which is on the tip of this person's nose. This is about the size of the film grain.
  • Film grain is laid out in a random pattern.
  • Film grain is not laid out in a nice, neat pattern like digital pixels in a digital image.


8mm 2K Scan

Film Grain vs Digital Pixel

  • Here we are zoomed in enough on the 2K scanned image that you can see the digital pixels.
  • The red highlighted area is the smallest feature size which is about 1 grain of film.
  • In order to achieve a digital image as good as the film you would need to scan the film at 1/2 the size of the film grain or smaller. Here, the 2K scan is just enough to meet this requirement.

 

Billings Fun Facts: Just south of Billings the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand, took place on June 25, 1876. The Indians that day wiped out all of Custer’s men in less than 20 minutes. Arlo Guthrie attended Billings’ Rocky Mountain College in 1965. During the Wild West days in Billings, Montana, the cowboys and scarlet ladies of every saloon performed impossible dances atop bars, tables, and in some instances upon the pianos.

Montana Fun Facts: state by area, behind Alaska, Texas and California, but with an average of just six people per square mile, it is one of the country’s least densely populated states. Although the name Montana is derived from the Spanish montaña (“mountain” or “mountainous region”), it has an average elevation of only 3,400 feet, the lowest among the Rocky Mountain states. Montana is home to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, which memorializes the historic 1876 battle between the Sioux tribe and U.S. Army, often referred to as “Custer’s Last Stand.” Yellowstone National Park, located in southern Montana and northern Wyoming, was the first national park established in the United States.

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