How to Transfer Super 8 to DVD
Super 8 film was introduced by Kodak in 1965 and quickly became a popular format for creating home movies. Many people still have old Super 8 reels lying around unused. With a little effort, these old movies can be transferred to DVD and preserved.
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Things You'll Need
- Super 8 projector with variable speed control Tripod White paper Mini DV camcorder with FireWire output FireWire cable Computer with DVD burner Burning software (see resources) Blank DVDs
Instructions
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Turn Super 8 to DVD
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1
Set up your Super 8 projector. Set up the white paper on the wall to provide a smooth surface on which to project the image. Set up the camcorder on a tripod.
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2
Load an 8 mm reel on the projector and start to play it. While it is playing, turn on the camcorder and look at the image on the wall. Aim to fill the whole camcorder screen with the image. Use the speed control on the projector to reduce or increase the speed on the projector until you have no flicker in the image when viewing it through the camcorder.
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3
Play the films back one at a time, and record them on your DV camcorder. A small reel lasts about 3 minutes; a 200-foot reel, about 12. If your original Super 8 tapes have sound as well, plug an external speaker into the projector so that the sound plays back and will be recorded by the camcorder.
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4
Connect the camcorder to your computer via a FireWire cable and open Nero or an equivalent burning program. FireWire will let the software control the camcorder. Open the Import function and record the video from your camcorder into the computer.
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5
Add the video to the timeline editor in the software. This lets you arrange the order of the different videos. Export the edited timeline video and burn it to DVD in Nero.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Blank DVDs will hold up to two hours of video with some compression. Plan your burn project accordingly in the timeline. For example, if you have 80 minutes of video that go together and then another 45 minutes of video in the timeline, it is best to edit it into two separate projects.
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Comments
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Shirley Philbrick
Jan 08, 2009
So many people don't take the time to do this. But preserving history IS important no matter the content of the home movies ! Good article ! 5* -
painthorse42
Jan 01, 2009
This is a great article! I want to get the old family vhs onto dvd's for my parents! I do like steps 7 & 8, I never knew this! Thanks! 5*
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Gardengates
Jan 01, 2009
Quite an education on old home movies. Thanks. I have a reel that is more than 50 years old. I'd better check it out!
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Gail Martin
Dec 31, 2009
Well I didn't know any of that I just figured they were trash now. Thanks for letting us know.
