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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 Hampton 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 Hampton


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.

 

So, for example, if you are looking for the best quality DVD, scan your 8mm or Super 8 at HD. If you are looking to go to BluRay then scan your 8mm or Super 8 at 2K.

Hampton Fun Facts: It is bounded on the north and east by the Chesapeake Bay and on the south by the Hampton Roads Harbor. The city is situated about 16 miles north of Norfolk, to which it is connected by Interstate I-64. Hampton is served by two airports: the primary area airport is Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk; and the region's secondary airport is Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, located in Newport News. Widely considered to be one of the nation's earliest settlements, Hampton dates its origins back to the early 1600s.

Virginia Fun Facts: In addition to eight presidents, famous Virginians include singer Ella Fitzgerald, tennis star Arthur Ashe, actress Shirley MacLaine and authors Willa Cather and Tom Wolfe. One of the 13 original colonies, Virginia was the first part of the country permanently settled by the English, who established Jamestown on the banks of the James River in 1607. The home state of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers, Virginia played an important role in the American Revolution (1775-83). During the Civil War (1861-65), the city of Richmond, Virginia, became the capital of the Confederacy, and more than half of the conflict’s battles were fought in the state.

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