Why buy a vintage film editor or projector when you can enjoy those videos with today’s technology? With today’s video formats, you can watch them on your TV, laptop, tablet or phone without any strain.

Our professional 8mm film conversion services will deliver clean, crisp, and clear results to a High Definition resolution using Hollywood-grade technology, which is remarkable for vintage films. If you are worried about the cost, you should know that this will be a one-time investment that will be well worth it.

To make an informed choice on converting your R8/S8, 16 and 35mm films to digital format, the following are factors to consider:

They Will Not Last Forever

8mm, as well as Super 8, 16mm, and 35mm films are made of delicate materials, meaning that over the years the elements have taken their toll on your collection. Humidity and wet conditions cause significant damage to film. If kept under dry conditions, they can keep their overall integrity for many decades but tend to fade. Either way, you want to be able to watch those priceless family memories.

If you use a projector to play your films, you should know that every run could add scratches and burns to the film, depending upon the quality of the projector. In addition to the film’s fragility and the effects of the elements, your window to hold on to the video content is closing fast. There is no better way to preserve vintage footage than to digitize it. If you have highly valuable footage such as weddings, Christmases past or your first steps, the last thing you want is to have them fade away as the film degrades.

In addition, you can always back-up your digital files on to the cloud, keeping them safe for years.

To Save on Space
Vintage films are bulky, and several of them can take up an entire rack on a shelf. You can save on space by transferring them to a digital format that can fit on a small flash drive. If you wish, you can also upload them to the cloud, where they will take practically no space on your storage devices. For those who prefer it, we can transfer them to DVD discs as well.

They Make Unique Gifts
Digitized films not viewed for years or maybe never can make for excellent gifts for significant events, such birthdays, family reunions, holidays and anniversaries. See images of your grand parents and even great grand parents. A personalized copy of unique memories can truly transform a loved one’s special day.

If placed in digital format, the receiver will be able to watch those priceless memories at any time and pass them on to future generations. It will be the gift that keeps on giving.

What sets ARS, Inc apart
We are a family owned and operated business. We answer our phone and are committed to excellent customer service. If Gary, the owner, can not make it right ask for his mother Gloria, the founder of the company.

At ARS Video, we take advantage of the latest technology to capture your R8/S8, 16 and 35mm film reels. We use a multi-format movie scanner, which was designed specifically for the Academy of Motion Picture Film Archives in Hollywood. This unit has no sprockets, claws or pinch rollers to potentially damage your priceless memories and only handles the film by the edges with no image area contact. A lack of pressure plate means no dust in the gate. Best of all, the resolution of the camera sensor is High Definition. This refers to the size of the image which is 1920 pixels in length and 1080 pixels in height to allow for the viewing of the transfer as a larger image to accommodate today’s televisions.

We deliver these High Def captures as MP4 files to you on a flash drive, which is included in our pricing. Each reel goes onto the flash drive as a separate file. If you want to upload these files onto the cloud, the MP4 format allows you to do it easily. If you prefer, we can do it for you. For experts who want to edit the raw film files, we can also provide AVI or MOV files.

Even though High Def can’t be transferred onto DVD, these are also available for those who prefer them as well as BluRay discs.
We clean and color adjust your film and add background music – all included in our pricing. We have been doing this for a long time, having transferred over 5 million feet of film since 1987. Our attention to detail and commitment to high quality set us apart.

Our pricing structure
Unlike other services, with ARS Video you will not be required to pay until your order is processed and is ready to be returned to you. In addition, you only pay for the actual feet of film we transfer. We will not transfer and you will not pay for film that is all black or all white.

We have a simple pricing structure that is based on total footage of film you have and is all inclusive. For R8/S8mm, the $.45/ft price gets you a flash drive (or DVD for those who prefer discs), cleaning and color adjusting of film as well as background music. The cost for the same service for 16mm film is $.35/ft and for 35mm film, $.55/ft. Quantity discounts are available.

With no hidden costs and a simple price structure, our pricing is very competitive when compared to other services out there. Besides, there can be no substitute to the level of service and care we provide. We never lose sight of what’s most important…the meaning and value of your irreplaceable memories to you and your family.

At ARS Video, we believe in transparency and putting your satisfaction first. That’s why our payment system sets us apart from the rest. You won’t be required to pay until your order is processed and ready to be returned to you. No upfront fees or surprises!

Why settle for less when you can experience top-notch service and competitive pricing? Choose ARS Video and let us bring your cherished memories back to life. Get in touch to discover the joy of preserving your irreplaceable moments – with a team that truly cares.

Sean McCreary

The post Why Let ARS Video, Inc Transfer Your Treasured Film Reels? appeared first on A.R.S. Video.

In 1965 Super 8mm film was introduced as an improvement to Regular 8. It did not need to be flipped in the camera, had a superior image and some could be recorded with sound! It remained popular until the 1970s when the Video Cassette Recorder was introduced with the Betamax and Video Home System (VHS) formats.

Decades have passed since 8mm films became obsolete, but the information and memories stored there are still important to their owners. The best movies, weddings, birthdays, and family get-togethers are often stored in these films and remain treasured for their valued memories.

Can 8mm Film Be Viewed Without Projector?

The best way to watch these films is with an 8mm film projector. However, if you do not have one, you do not have to worry. Besides, every time you use a projector on the 8mm, it gets a little damage in scratches, meaning a shorter life span with every use. Technology is available to help you enjoy these films with the same quality the projector would offer.

Convert the Video Film into a Digital Version

Converting the film into its digital version is the best way to enjoy the video content. Today’s conversion services will make the video look good as new regardless of how old it is. The advanced scanning technology will give you High Definition resolution with no bleeding or distortion. You can watch it on larger flat-screen televisions, tablets or your phone making the family memories that much more enjoyable.

Moreover, the 8mm films are rather fragile and it is only a matter of time before they are lost forever. This can be avoided, especially for dynamic, one-time event films like weddings or baby showers. You will be able to upload the digital versions to the cloud if you so wish or any storage media where it will last for decades to come.

A professional lab will assist you if you suspect your tapes are damaged or need re-splicing. Attempting to view them in their condition may cause more serious damage. Your film must be clear of any debris, dust, and residue and should not have any cracks, bends or mold.

If it feels brittle or smells like vinegar, get assistance from a professional. They will advise you on how to use specialized equipment to salvage as much footage as possible without causing any more damage. The film should also have enough white tape leader so that it goes through the machine properly.

How Can I View 8mm Film Without A Projector?

To view an 8mm without a projector:

Get a Vintage Film Editor
When they stumble upon a stack of old 8mm films in their basement, most people are curious about what is on them. A preview is a great way to determine whether they are worth the digitization costs and hassle.

You can get a preview of what is on your 8mm with a vintage editor. These devices were in style back when people wanted to edit their films. They look like mini projectors with two arms for you to place your reels on. The film will go in through one end and out the other. You will then crank the machine by hand as it gets illuminated by a small bulb on the screen.

Compared to projectors, vintage film editors are gentler on your films. If the editor is well-maintained, clean, and in excellent working condition, it may work even better than a projector.

High-Powered Magnifiers
Film is recorded as a series of pictures. You can see the pictures if you look closely holding it in front of a light source. You can use a magnifying glass to take a closer look at the films you have just discovered. Carefully pull out the reel beyond the leader (white starter tape section) and then observe the first few footage frames to determine whether you recognize what is on it.
It is a more low-cost method requiring a magnifying glass of up to 10x to get a greater close-up. However, the frames are quite small, and the better method for getting a preview would be the editor idea above. To get the best results, look for a magnifying glass with in-built lighting.

Can I convert this film to DVD or MP4?

Yes, professional conversion services use machinery that corrects the differences between film and video so that the 8mm will play well and look normal. They clean off the dust then transform into a digital form before correcting contrast, brightness, and other distortions using specialized software.

The digital file is then transferred into a High Definition file that can be viewed on your TV, computer, tablet, or phone. DVD copies can also be made for playing on a standard DVD player or computer!

We’ll work our magic to turn your digital file into a high-definition format that you can enjoy on your TV, computer, tablet, or phone. Want a good old-fashioned DVD? We can make copies for that too! Don’t hesitate to reach out for more info. We’re here to make your viewing experience extraordinary – and long-lasting!

Sean McCreary

The post How to View 8mm Film without A Projector appeared first on A.R.S. Video.