How do I know what "gauge" my movie film is?

16mm movie film is 16mm wide, it typically has two sets of sprocket holes - one on either side of the strip - and the frames run down the middle. Occasionally the movie film will have only one set of sprocket holes - usually but not always to make room for an optical sound track.

8mm (regular 8) movie film is 8mm wide and has wide sprocket holes down one side. The sprocket holes take up almost one quarter of the movie film's width.

Super 8mm movie film is also 8mm wide and has one set of sprocket holes along one side - but the holes are smaller, taking up roughly one eighth of the movie film's width.

FAQ: How do I know if my movie film has sound?

Standard 8mm movie film won't have sound.
Super 8mm movie film will have a stripe of coppery or sometimes silvery colored metal along the edge opposite the sprocket holes. If it's stereo, there will be a similar, thinner stripe one the same edge as the sprocket holes.
16mm movie film with sound is "optical". There will be a stripe opposite the sprocket holes, varying in width. The stripe is transparent. Stereo 16mm will have a pair of these stripes.

A Super 8mm strip of movie film with "copper colored" "magnetic" stereo sound tracks.

For "mono sound" movie films, the single copper colored stripe is only on the edge opposite the sprocket holes. 






Close-up of 16mm strip of movie film with stereo optical sound tracks (2 black "wiggly" lines on left edge)

Note there is only one set of sprocket holes (on right side
.Older or "mono sound" will only have the one "wiggly" stripe.




At Home Video Studio, we're here to help you with your older film and video formats. Please call us to set up an appointment so you can once again enjoy your memories stored on film and video.   859-525-0305   deborah.w@homevideostudio.com

Holiday Time is Home Movie Transfer Time!

Friends, the Holidays are coming fast! The Holiday season is a great time to take advantage of all the video services we have to offer, but did you know that October kicks off our busiest time for Home Movie Transfer? We want to hear from you soon, and here's why!


Good folks like you know that nothing ties together a season of family merriment and togetherness like the feeling you get watching precious memories from your past together. Everyone from great grandparents to children can enjoy them together!

You know that the Holiday season, like no other, is high time to finally get that 8mm, Super8 or 16mm film onto a medium that's long lasting and not as subject to deterioration or destruction. Have you been putting this off? Give yourself a gift. Call us today for your own peace of mind.
DVDs of your Home Movies make excellent gifts! One easy phone call and you're on your way to a heartfelt gift for practically everyone on your list! And copies are a phone call away. 859-525-0305
Any questions? Here are a few you may have. If you have any more call us:

My film is very old. Will it transfer?
We make every effort to transfer your film no matter what condition it is in and we are rarely stumped. We have transferred movies dating as far back as 1916 and usually have no problem with old film.

Will my old 8mm, Super8 or 16mm film look good?
We love home movies and we are on a mission to make sure yours is the best it can be! That's why we've invested in the best film transfer equipment available. We use a completely digital process using the highest quality capture of your film.

Another great feature of our system is its sprocketless transport and laser frame alignment. What does that mean to you? It means no jerky film movement because of damaged sprocket holes. It means you see 100% of the frame even if the film has shrunk.

I remember my parents recorded sound on some of these reels. Will that transfer too?
If there is sound on your reels it will be transferred. What a joy it is to not only see the past but to hear it as well.

What about music or sound on film?
If you like, and most customers do, we include (at no extra charge) background music. It is our own copyrighted score of music, specifically composed for home movie transfers. No music will be recorded in places where you already have sound on film. on film.

I want to edit as well. Can you make computer files of the captured footage?
Yes. We can make computer files for PC or Mac.

Can I organize my film in the order I want?
Of course. Just number your reels and we will follow your wishes.

Can you put titles on our video?
Yes. We can put titles anywhere on your captured film to help you identify where it was taken.

Don't delay. Soon the Holiday rush will be upon us. Many others may have this same idea. (Maybe someone in your family) Call us today and let's get started!  859-525-0305

HVS' Top Five Things to do with your Digital Photos

1.    Get them off of your memory card or camera memory.
It's too easy to lose your precious photos if you keep them on your camera. Download them to your computer. (or maybe two computers) or a hard drive.

2. Organize and name them.
In the future you will be glad you took the time now to organize your photos. Do it anyway you decide to (e.g. 2010 >Vacations>Disneyworld) but years from now you'll be glad your photos aren't just numbers.

3.    Keep original unedited photos.
Always save the unedited versions of your photos as your archived source photo.

 

4.    Archive them to CD or DVD.
This is where you can really protect your memories. If they are on disc you can store them in a variety of places, such as a safety deposit box.


5.    Don't trust anyone else with your photos.
Online photo sharing sites are great for sharing photos, but don't trust them for storing the only copy of your photos.

Contact us should you need any help archiving your digital photos and video. We are here to help you!

859-525-0305

deborah.w@homevideostudio.com