How to transfer older 8mm home movie film to DVD

Generations of old home movies, 35mm slides, VHS video tape, mini DV tapes and more were produced from the 1950's thru the year 2000.
Before this is all lost or discarded it should be transferred to the digital media. I am producing a series of KZbin video's to show how this can be done.

[@Super8Rescue]

I use a wolverine scanner and get great results, but the fact this chap is preserving his films the best way available to him is a credit. Up until I bought the wolverine, this was the only way I could try to save my reels. Ignore the sooth sayers, if this is the only way you can do it, then bravo.

[@dahdigital1]

Mike Spice, thanks for your post!

[@PVUSA1]

Your professional advise is the first that I've ever come across and starting point to improve image quality using the gray board to play 8MM film and record with a digital camera. Also, I see other helpful suggestions on the Replies and that's a good thing! Unfortunately there's always a they think they know all = not the best way to transfer your home movies. I see a whole lot of thank you and appreciation replies that definitely out number the they think they know it all reply. Thank you Mr. Anthony Wheeler for helping other people with your advice 👍. The people that have approached me want a 8mm tapes to a MP4 video format. They know and understand the quality will not be Hollywood prime cinematic quality. They just want to see the memories without spending hundreds of dollars to digitize by using some other video business and not spending hundreds of dollars on devices that will scan1 frame at a time. That type of device will take a half an hour to process a three minute roll of film. They have a lot of 8mm reels and they're giving me 2 projectors that work, ha, ha ! I've never done this type of project before. I'm glad I found your video along with some of the helpful Q& A's on your replies to get me going in the right direction and will save me time. Thanks again A.W.!

[@SCUDDERS36]

Absolutely fantastic , dad found film from his dad and family , some are not with us anymore , fingers crossed we find a working 8 mm projector

[@dahdigital1]

SCUDDERS36, I'm pretty sure they can be found on ebay. They are used projectors. I don't believe new 8mm movie projectors are being made these days.

[@rhyannone]

Thank you so much for this, will cost me nothing, compared to having to send it in to a professional . You are a star !

[@dahdigital1]

rhyannon, Your welcome

[@kevinkaysEwarrior]

I'm going to use this technique to transfer my parents wedding video, going to add the cassette sound as well and hope to sync it up fairly well. thanks for the gray background,I wouldn't have known that. now to fix the torn slots enough so it'll pull through.

[@reverseuniverse2559]

Thanks for sharing I’m glad i found out about the grey board👍 Probably why the old TV screens were grey

[@dahdigital1]

Reverse Universe, Thanks for your reply.

[@volksboyfiftyseven6680]

Thank you for this important information. I want to try this myself because I have a whole box full of old movies just waiting to be transformed into a DVD.

[@JTC2227]

It would be Really Cool to have a Movie Projector like that ❤️

[@dahdigital1]

Yes, but these old projectors haven't been made for years. I think you might find something used on Ebay.

[@JTC2227]

@@dahdigital1 You can Even hook it up to a Combo Recorder after Transfering VHS Tapes to DVD

[@ThriftyAV]

Great idea on having something to zoom in set at the same distance as the grey board.

[@dahdigital1]

ThriftyAV, thank you for watching my KZbin video, and thanks for your comment.

[@BIMBOBOOP]

This video was awesome!! Thanks mr Anthony!! :)

[@dahdigital1]

BIMBOBOOP, Your Welcome

[@WhiteJarrah]

If you're using a Panasonic DVD recorder there is a easier and foolproof way to finalize the disk. When you hit ejection it prompts you to finalize by pressing "record" or not finalize by pressing "stop". Obviously you can still finalize by going into the settings, but this makes things so user friendly that a child could do it. I'm not sure if all non Panasonic recorders have this feature, but I've owned four Panasonics and one Sony in the past and they all had that feature.

[@dahdigital1]

Jarrah White, That's good to know for Panasonic and Sony. My Magnavox does not have that feature.

[@IwshIcldstrtover]

Only one problem. The movie projector should be much closer to the wall. The smaller the image projected from the projector, the clearer and cleaner the camcorder will record it. You are loosing a lot of detail by distancing the projector from the wall/screen.

[@dahdigital1]

IwshIcIdstrtover, Thanks for that tip, I didn't know it would make a difference.

[@ChristopherOwenXIDAR]

Thanks. You answered the question I was about to ask. Looks like Anthony agrees too.

[@Jaden.Katarn]

Again amazing! I finally was able to get a 8mm and was thinking of a similar process. But I hadn’t thought of everything you detailed. Thank you!!!!

[@dahdigital1]

Tim Seibert, Thank You and your very welcome.

[@ellenvanderploeg0622]

Thank you for your video. You offered the best explanation out of all the research I’ve done. I found my father’s 8mm films and projector when clearing out my parents’ house. However, the projector had a bad burning smell when I began playing first film and it continued for a minute. I had to turn it off. But for about 30 seconds I saw 1972 again. Where can I get it repaired or perhaps by a new/used projector. I have too many reels of film to think about using a service. Thank you for any help you can provide.

[@dahdigital1]

Ellen Minium, Thank you for your comment! I live in some what of a rural area, there is no one here that I know of who could repair a movie projector. If you are in a major population area I would suggest search your area for some one to repair your projector. You can find used projectors on ebay. I have not purchased a movie projector from ebay so, you may have to just take a chance.

[@rickhalverson2014]

For good quality It has to be a frame-by-frame. Scanning (digital imaging) each individual frame; quality can easily exceed what you see from the projector. Anything less and you will be disappointed.

[@dahdigital1]

Rick Halverson, Thanks for that your information.

[@colourcloud65]

Agreed

[@ChristopherOwenXIDAR]

Can you offer a suggestion about how to capture frame by frame?

[@adkrick5331]

Thank you for your time... excellent information.

[@dahdigital1]

Rick V, Thanks very much.

[@TheRancher03]

I use a Polstar Home Video Transfer System and camcorder with shutter speed from 1/15-1/30 to stop the flicker.

[@kingphillip5075]

Like VHS camcorder? If I can find an old one is there a brand that consistently has shutter speed control? Thanks

[@TheRancher03]

@@kingphillip5075 Most modern camcorders have manual settings to adjust shutter speeds. I used a older JVC Everio GZ-MG155U.

[@garygullikson6349]

I might try the same process as described but using my VHS-C camcorder, maybe with some loss of sharpness. Downside is the amount of time running 8mm projector and cost of short-lived 8mm projector bulbs if recording a lot of 8mm films.

[@dahdigital1]

Yes, good luck on that.

[@gerryroberts662]

i like your videos. Great and informative.

[@dahdigital1]

Gerry Roberts, Thanks for your comments and encouragement.

[@fireside007]

Ty!! YOU ~ Soooo ~ ROCK ! !

[@johnnygeejr500]

Thank you great video , thanks for instructions !

[@dahdigital1]

Johnny Gee Jr, glad the video was helpful. Thank You

[@leonjohnsonjr3331]

When u do this make sure u unplug the sound input because you going to hear the reel to reel noise in the back ground of the film when u transfer

[@ashemoski]

Actually, hearing the projector sounds would make it more "real" to me. You can always turn the sound down on your playback device if you don't want to hear it.

[@erikals]

Thank you! :)  yes, i was wondering about if i should use a white board or not. now i will choose grey :)

[@reverseuniverse2559]

erikals Yes I’ve always used white and now I realise of reflection at certain brighter movies o

[@jimmyjames6318]

Good info. Thanks

Why? Path from Analog 8mm -> digital camera -> from digital camera analog output to DVD recorder (re-digitize) .... Why not directly transform data from digital camera to DVD ??

[@dahdigital1]

Good idea! I don't know how to do that.

[@JGC_TV]

I am getting a lot of light around the image playing on the board outside the frame of the projected movie. Your picture has no light around the image on the board why? Is my projector too close to the board?...looks like the I have the same distance as you have between the wall and the projector.

[@dahdigital1]

I think every camera settings and distance may need adjusting.

[@MrMiniCooper79]

Hello Anthony....I noticed you have a s710D Eumig same as mine, Wondering if your sound head still working. I mag striped some of my films but no longer able to hear.As to the transfer I will definitely will try as the local library has a recorder like yoursI did watc your presentation several times, and thanks for posting. Louis Burlington O.

[@dahdigital1]

I have the 712D, sound works but has some noise.

[@dittosebastian3876]

hello sir... I have got 8mm projector reel with me ,very old and precious one, but I have no possibility to play and watch it in our land. how can I watch?

[@dahdigital1]

Ditto, maybe you could buy a older used movie projector.

[@8mmfilmarchive34]

This is the same technique Costco transferred film to VHS tape 20 years ago. They seriously just filmed a screen. However, the quality is so bad, it really does the medium of 8 mm an injustice.

[@garygullikson6349]

Correction: Wolverine, etc. 8mm film transfer devices record movies onto SD cards. Is there a way to input digitized 8mm movies from SD cards directly into my Funai VCR to DVD recorder ? The Funai unit does not have a SD card input slot but does have an "S" video "IN" jack. I have had the Funai for some years but have not used it for VCR transfer as yet.

[@dahdigital1]

gary gullikson, I don't know. Sorry

[@smack7917]

Hello and thanks for the video. Should this work just as well if I'm recording the projector image using a regular digital camera?

[@dahdigital1]

S Mack, Yes, any camera that will record video should work. The better the camera the better the recording.

[@Alexander-iy7js]

I recently bought a stock of film from an old studio. I believe it is either 16 or 36mm film. What kind of home-user projector can you recommend, so I can try and convert it using this procedure?

[@dahdigital1]

Alexander, Sorry, I don't have any experience with formats larger than 8mm.

[@Alexander-iy7js]

OK, thanks. If I do find a 36mm projector, I'll try to convert it using your procedure outlined in this video. Theoretically, it should be the same.

[@dahdigital1]

Alexander, Yes it should be.

[@clasicradiolover]

@@Alexander-iy7js Did you do it?

[@Alexander-iy7js]

@@clasicradiolover I'm afraid I haven't found a 36 mm projector yet

[@lesleyfisher6284]

Hi Anthony , I was wondering if I could record DVDs played from my Sony camcorder through my tv to a Toshiba RDXV60 multi function recorder ?

[@dahdigital1]

lesley Fisher, I would suggest that if you have the Sony camcorder that plays DVD's and has the output cord that works with your Sony camcorder that you connect that cord to your Toshiba multi function recorder and connect the out put from the Toshiba recorder to your TV.

[@DCJNewsMedia]

How does someone contact you at your business. ?? To get professional assistance.

[@dahdigital1]

D.C.J. News Media, I have made an effort to discourage customers beyond my community. I don't want to be responsible for any preciousness media being lost or damaged so I only seek customers who are local and can bring me their old media and also pick up the finished job. Thank You for your inquiry, I will be happy to answer any question you have through this median, if I can.

[@DCJNewsMedia]

@@dahdigital1 God bless you 😇 and your family

[@tbyrd9772]

hey Hoss ! why don't you tell the folks about the time delay that flickers back to the digital camera and how that will show up on the DVD and then tell them how to fix that .

[@dahdigital1]

T BYRD, From my experience I suggest resetting the shutter speed until you get less flicker.

[@tbyrd9772]

THERE YA GO !

[@dalehammond1704]

What software do you recommend for reversing a 8mm film developed negative? I don't need a complex software, just enough to flip the image and reverse it. Thanks

[@dahdigital1]

Dale Hammond, First of all, my experience with this is very rare. I correct this kind of issue with my video editing software, however this is what I would try in your case. If this is a 50 ft roll of film, I would play the film forward or just wind the film forward to the take up reel. Now take that reel to the front and turn it if necessary to match the sprocket alignment in the film gate. Turn off the lights and run a small amount to see if it looks correct. Hope this helps you may need to experiment.

[@IwshIcldstrtover]

Thank you for this wonderful how-to video. I am having a problem finding a gray board the shade of gray like you have, and wondered if you could recommend any places that might sell them? I have tried a black screen, but no matter what, I still get the white light and glare off people's faces and other things in the movie film. I cannot seem to get rid of this glare problem. I have a Samsung HMX-F90 digital camcorder, and have it all set up in the fashion you are using in this video. Can you possibly tell me what I might be doing wrong that is causing the bright glare on the images I have recorded using my camcorder? Thank you so much.

[@dahdigital1]

Iwshicldstrtover, Trying to remember, I think I bought my grey board at Office Max. I also would try shutting your camera exposure down a little more.

[@IwshIcldstrtover]

@@dahdigital1 Sir, I can't say thank you, enough. I followed your instructions, and I shut down the exposure, and now the picture is perfect! Thank you for letting me know where you might have purchased the gray board. I will contact them, and see if they have them. If they don't, I'll check other similar stores, and keep looking.

[@tomrhardwick]

Let's just be scientific about this. If grey is better than white then darker grey should be even better, right? Let's try black then. If you get better results with a grey card it's probably because your camcorder is filming at wider apertures. This often gives sharper results with short focal length lenses feeding tiny chips, simply because of the degrading effects of diffraction.

[@dahdigital1]

Tom Hardwick, thanks for your scientific comments on what effects this process.

[@getzfan1]

Good video! Thanks for posting! Where do i get a gray board?

[@dahdigital1]

getzfan1,gray board , office supply like Office Max.

[@getzfan1]

Thanks

[@LuckyMTS]

I will transfer 8mm film to Blu-ray.

[@berheabay4171]

Hello mr Wheeler where l buy this machine?

[@dahdigital1]

I don't see them in stores any more. Go online and do a search.

[@carollebump8359]

What brand name of the DVD S do I need to buy If I decide to do this myself And or how much do u charge to transfere a v c r tape of my old movies to a DVD disk ?

[@dahdigital1]

Carolle BUMP, I have used Verbatim DVD-R for years. I hope you mean old home movies that you or your family made. Not Copyright titles they are a no,no. I obviously copy my own home movies myself. I have seen advertisements by a company called South Tree "I believe", their prices seem very reasonable. I haven't used them so I can't speak for their work though.

[@dahdigital1]

Carolle BUMP, after just realizing you were commenting on my KZbin video" how to transfer old home movies", which in that KZbin video I made using 8mm or S-8mm FILM. I was actually replying above to your comment about transfer of" v c r tape" as opposed to FILM of your old movies. If in fact you are talking about 8mm film, I can transfer 8mm film to DVD, I charge $9:00 for each 50 ft movie film. These are about three minutes long each film.

[@denniskauffunger953]

Where do I get the grey board? I tried Officemax and Micheal's but could not find one.

[@dahdigital1]

Dennis Kauffunger, some brands of grey board are white on the other side of the board, you might want to check that out. Try WalMart or Target.

[@markeushorst7437]

This looks hard

[@dahdigital1]

Markeus Horst, yes, it was at first.

[@markhorney7625]

Old school. But ideal for not the tech minded.

[@hmarillejla7]

What about that annoying flicker?

[@dahdigital1]

Joe Grech, if your camera has an adjustment for shutter speed you could try adjustment. My experience is that 60 frames per second works best for me.

[@dahdigital1]

Joe Grech, my post reference to shutter speed at 60 frames per second is incorrect, it should be stated as 1/60 of one second.

[@lynnesmith1959]

I want to transfer vhs tapes to DVD. I don't have a vcr player but can I do this using my vhs camcorder?

[@dahdigital1]

Ldiane Smith, Yes you can if your camcorder has video and audio out connections. I have a combo recorder for VHS tapes but I use my camcorder to record mini DV tapes. I connect my camcorder to my Sony VRD-MC5 Dvdirect recorder. I bought that many years ago, I don't thank they are made any longer.

[@TomYaz]

i strongly suggest not doing this technique any longer. the new way to digitize film to video is to get a Wolverine 8 or super 8 mm moviemaker for about $300. the quality blows this away. i bought one and have converted hundreds of reels of silent film so far. it records very slowly but the quality is truly amazing.

[@GuyBodart]

Wolverine is too slow, to much compression. Not very reliable. Too much contrast and unreal colors. Anyway, it's what I saw.

[@russella5296]

But transferring the way it's shown is not serious either.

[@rickhalverson2014]

You are correct, Wolverine is a better way, but you may want much better quality than Wolverine can deliver.

[@vitorcouto3322]

What about sound movies?

[@ChristopherOwenXIDAR]

@@GuyBodart Geez, now I am really confused. I was on my way to purchase the Wolverine from Tom Yaz's comment, but yours stopped me. I have tons of 8mm & super 8 to transfer with my Canon XA40. Unsure of what to use. Have you actually compared the difference and if so with what kind of video camera? Thanks.

[@markeushorst7437]

What year was the tape filmed looked grainy

[@dahdigital1]

Markeus Horst, my KZbin video shows a consumer process for transferring 8mm movie film to DVD. I transfer 8mm film to DVD using pro equipment and the result is a great deal better than what the consumer process can produce. I provide this service to local customers who can bring me their film and pick up the finished job. I don't want to take the chance of having a customers' precious home movies lost or damaged because of shipping their film.

[@darkecountyfarmergirl5147]

How far away do you set the projector and camcorder from the wall or screen?

[@dahdigital1]

darkecountyfarmer, Around three feet, could be a little more or less

[@darkecountyfarmergirl5147]

Thanks.

[@tomrhardwick]

The grey card myth surfaces again. It's the surface texture that matters, not the whiteness. A matt white sheet of printing paper is far better than a very slightly glossy grey. The latter simply reflects less light, nothing more. Stick with matt white unless your projector is too bright.

[@dahdigital1]

Tom Hardwick, I can say without any hesitation that I have a much better outcome with this process using a grey board.

[@vintagecameras9623]

cool

[@cp1699]

the combo recorder

[@dahdigital1]

cp1699, the combo recorder is a Magnavox ZV427MG9 A purchased at WalMart years ago. I have not seen this unit in their stores for a long time!

[@yorwantz3958]

hwight

[@johndutton8837]

Huiw

[@chicagotransferservicessch2303]

This is not the best way to transfer your home movies.

[@dahdigital1]

Video Memories Since 1981, I know, I purchased the Cinemate 20 years ago and have transferred all my old 8mm S8mm film to DVD.

[@chicagotransferservicessch2303]

@@dahdigital1 You did not get the full transfer by shining the image on a wall. We convert using the ELMO TRV with built in High Resolution camera direct to digital transfer with speed adjustment color corrected and music back ground.