Do your own Super 8mm-to-VHS transfers.
Many home movies exist in the Super 8mm film format. Unlike modern camcorders, Super 8mm cameras shot to celluloid film instead of video tape. This means home movies shot on Super 8mm must be transferred to video in a process known as a "telecine," where the projected film image is recorded by a video camera. This process will have to be performed to transfer a Super 8mm film to a VHS tape. Fortunately, you can do your own telecine using a camcorder and a Super 8mm projector, though the quality will not be as high as a professional telecine.
Instructions
1. Tape a piece of white cardstock to a flat surface.
2. Place your Super 8mm film projector pointing toward the white cardstock. Load the Super 8mm film you want to transfer to VHS tape into the projector. Focus the image.
3. Set up a camcorder on a tripod facing the Super 8mm projector image on the white cardstock. Turn on the camera and focus the image to the projector. If your camcorder supports variable shutter rate, you can adjust the shutter speed to eliminate image flicker from the Super 8mm projector.
4. Rewind the Super 8mm film after you have set up the camera.
5. Reload the Super 8mm film in the projector. Turn out any extra lights in the room.
6. Turn on the Super 8mm projector and press the "Record" button on the camera. Stop the projector and the camera once the film has finished projecting.
7. Turn on the "VTR" or "Play" mode on your camcorder. Rewind to the beginning of the video you just recorded. For some hard drive-based digital camcorders, you will have to select the clip in the "Play" mode on the camera.
8. Connect the RCA audio and video output cables from your camcorder to the "Video In" jacks on a VCR. Insert a blank VHS cassette into the VCR and press "Record" after pressing "Play" on the video camera.
Tags: Super film, Super projector, white cardstock, your camcorder, film projector, home movies