I am
originally from
Dallas where I worked with computers for over
twenty
years. After 9-11
I decided it was
time to back off and smell
the roses so
I resigned and planned to simplify
my life. My wife is
from the Shenandoah
Valley in Virginia and an only
child so we
decided to leave Texas and
relocate there near her mother.
Computers and filmmaking have
long been hobby's of mine. I have
been
working with computers since the
early 70's and with filmmaking
even longer.
When the technology advanced
and camcorders became
more affordable
converting old movie film to video
became a natural
evolution. No more
lugging the projector from
the attic or closet, no more
concern about rotting
film. Just pop the video (or DVD) in the
player and enjoy!
Like most my first few attempts
at transferring film were far from what I
expected. I went back to the
drawing board, improved my equipment, my
processing techniques, and finally
I achieved the results I desired.
I turned to eBay to
find my first Film to Video Transfer System and was soon involved with
selecting from the many brands and models that were available and their
different capabilities. Actually there is not much difference in any of
them if the lens are clear and free of scratches they should all produce
good results. True, some have stereo mixers and some do not, but that is
for your individual needs and preferences. I prefer a variable speed projector
(to get flicker free results) and a good camcorder for recording (I prefer
mini DV).
Anyway you look at it,
converting film to video tape is much better than leaving your memories
on old film.
DVD is the way of the future and when your memories are stored in digital
format they can be transferred easier when a new media standard replaces
DVD. In 2005 I convert some 8mm film taken in 1937. It had a reddish
tint but the images were very visible. The film owner was amazed when he
saw his 66 year old brother on a tricycle.
Should you do this yourself
?
1) Who else is more qualified to pick the right music?
2) Who else is more qualified to add the right narration?
3) Who else knows what the titles should say and where they should
go?
4) Think of all the details you know and can include in the video.
5) Do you want your film copied with flaws or edited?
6) Do you want to create a VHS tape or a DVD ?
7) Can some stranger really do the job you want ?
8) What if your memories are lost in transit? Do you have a
copy?
9) How much should your family history and memories be insured for?
Some Media
History:
1) 1877 The Cylinder
Phonograph (Edison)
2) 1905 Victrola
Disc
3) 1915 78 rpm
record
4) 1923 16mm Film by Eastman Kodak
5) 1932 8mm Film by Eastman Kodak
6)
1933 33 1/3 rpm
7) 1962 Compact
Cassette (Phillips)
8) 1965 Super 8 Film by Eastman Kodak
9) 1983 Compact
CD (Sony)
10) 1997 DVD
As you can see nothing is forever
I started Shenandoah Digital and Shenandoah Digital Art (check
us out on google.com, yahoo.com, etc.) and
have transferred hundreds of miles of 8mm and Super 8 film ( from locals
in my area). I do not transfer
16mm film because of several reasons. First, I have never had a single
request
for
a 16mm
film
transfer.
While 16mm film was created in 1923 for the home consumer it quickly found
it's place in the Education market by the 1930's. The home consumer
market switched to the less expensive 8mm and Super 8 film and I choose
not to invest in 16mm transfer equipment.
I have found many people prefer
to do their own transfers and I can appreciate that. Who else is more qualified
to pick the right background music, title, or add the proper voice narration
? In support of those wanting to transfer their own film I decided to sell
the Film to Video Transfer Systems on e
B
ay.
I am thoroughly experienced with them and I enjoy selling on
eBay.
Scroll
down to view a small video clips placed on YouTube.com from the 40's
8mm film and a photo taken during an actual film transfer.
Many sellers here display Typical Photos of
the item on
auction to
reduce the amount of time they have to invest
in their auctions. My Goal is to take the best pictures I can so you can see exactly what
you are bidding on!
Many say they use a typical photo as the same models all
look
the same. I believe they wear according to use and
handling, some have scratches
and/or
cracks. I believe showing
actual pictures is the only accurate way to display
what is on
auction.
I will only use a typical picture
if the item is Brand New,
never used
and
in
a Factory Seal Box.
Click on the Media Play button below to view a movie
I transfered from an 8 mm silent film . I used my projector, camcorder,
and
an
Image
Transfer
System
like
the ones
I sell here on EBay.
The movie was taken at the Tyler Texas Rose/Azalea Festival in 1947 and I added
the background music and transferred it to DVD in 2003.
I created this verision for YouTube and the resolution has been reduced
to speed up your downloading, it is also optimized for this viewing size.
For a 1947 Movie
this one is in excellent condition. It was sealed in a movie tin and
kept in a briefcase for years. This is one of two videos that
survived a fire at my mothers house. As you can see many old memories are
saved in digital format. This film contains many special memories that can
never be replaced.
Click the "Play" button to view this short movie clip from the
40's.
Copyright © 2003-2009 Shenandoah Digital LLC all rights reserved
Image Transfer Information
There seems to be a lot of confusion and questions about transferring your
history yourself. True, there are many options but if you take it one step
at a time it is really a very simple process.
Below are pictures of seven popular Image Transfer Systems sold on EBay.
Some have stereo mixers and some do not. One thing they all have in common
is how they transfer images.
With all these units you project your images (film or slide) in to their
side (some are rear) mini-screens as you record the image through the Transfer
System's front lens with your camera or camcorder.
After you are finished recording your images you
have several options.
1) You can transfer your camcorder tape to VHS tape
2) You can transfer your camcorder tape to your DVD recorder
3) You can download your Camcorder to your PC for more detail editing.
4) Some Camcorders record directly to their own internal DVD.
5) Some DVD recorders connect directly to your camcorder and write to DVD
as you record.
6) With many of these Systems you can add Voice Narrations and Background
Music.
Note:
With each of our Image Transfer Systems we include our Image Transfer Instructional
DVD produced in 2005. It has over 1 gigabyte of High Resolution Videos and
Information on Transfer Systems and Image Transfer. It
would take hundreds of pages to show it here.
Click here to see our Instructional
DVD Preview.
(A)
Focus and project your Film or Slide Image in to the Image Transfer's mini-screen
(B)
Note:
You can transfer your photos and art work without a projector using the Image
Transfer Systems Fluorescent Light (I like to add old cards birthday, Christmas,
anniversary, etc.).
Add your film 8mm, Super8, 16mm, and slides using your projector.
With your camera or camcorder focus and record your video through the Transfer
Systems front macro lens as you project it.
Output to
Your Personal Computer
Your DVD Recorder
Output to
Your VHS Tape
(C)
Photo taken during the actual transfer of a 1970's
Silent Super 8mm film taken at Disney World to a mini-DV
tape camcorder.
The film image
is projected (1) into the Image Transfer Systems side
mini-screen (2) with my Projector.
At the same time I am recording the image
with my camcorder (3).
A RCA cable from the camcorder's video out (4) to
the TV's video in displays (5) the Image Transfer in
real time as the image is saved to the camcorder's tape.
