How to Remove Flashing When Copying 8 mm Film to Digital Video Tape

Using a camcorder with a 24p setting will eliminate flashing and scrolling flicker in recordings of 8mm film.

One of the easiest ways to transfer old 8mm films to a modern format is to project the film against a wall and record the projection with a camcorder. But one problem that comes up frequently when recording a television or projection is flashing: during video playback, the projection will brighten and darken at regular intervals, sometimes accompanied by scrolling horizontal lines. MiniDV video records at a standard speed of 29.97 frames per second, close to the speed the brain processes images, but film runs through a projector at 24 frames per second, creating a lapse that exposes the movement of the film frames. Using a camcorder with a 24p setting will put the two systems at the same speed, solving the problem.

Things You'll Need

• Projector
• Projection screen
• 24p camcorder
• Tripod

Instructions

1. Stand or mount a projection screen against a wall in a room. Place the projector several feet in front, pointing at the screen. Place a camcorder on a tripod next to the projector and point it at the screen. Turn on the camcorder and set it to 24p exposure.

2. Activate the projector without loading a film reel, throwing the light against the projection screen. Adjust the position of the projector until the light fits within the boundaries of the screen. Activate the camera and look through the viewfinder to adjust the camcorder's focus and zoom until the projection screen fits snugly inside the camcorder's view.

3. Load a film reel into the projector. Press "Record" on the camcorder and immediately activate the projector. Wait out the movie to its end, turn off the projector and press the "Record" button on the camcorder again to stop the recording.

References

• YouTube: Converting Super 8 Film to DVD
• Beale Corner: Film to Video Transfer
• Via Vision Productions: 8mm and Super 8mm Film Transfers