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Re: query: conversion of 16mm film to video



VidiPax provides these services on a Rank Cintel as Paul mentions. We do not
use a Wet Gate for many reasons - there are VERY few places that use them
any more. We have supplied these services to many on this list - please
contact us off list for more info.

jim

Jim Lindner - President
VidiPax - The Magnetic Media and Information Migration Full Services Company
Telephone 212-563-1999
www.vidipax.com
Moderator of A/V Media Matters@topica.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU]On
> Behalf Of Paul Eisloeffel
> Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 12:59 PM
> To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
> Subject: Re: query: conversion of 16mm film to video
>
>
> Hi Bridgett,
>
> What you've got are home movies from very early years of the medium (16mm
> was introduced to the public by Eastman Kodak in 1923).  They are on
> "reversal" film (no negative in the process) and likely on a di-acetate
> base.  That smell you notice is probably "Vinegar Syndrome" (or acid
> hydrolysis), which means it's slowly eating itself away.  There
> are probably
> other associated problems with the film as well, such as shrinking and
> warping.  You can arrest the degradation with cold storage (25-03
> degrees F
> and 35-45% RH), but you can't cure it.  The only way to really give the
> images a fighting chance is to have a reputable lab make a dupe
> negative on
> modern 16mm polyester filmstock (which then becomes the "preservation
> master") and a new positive "answer print," also on polyester stock, which
> becomes the "use" copy.   A video transfer from that new positive can then
> be made (VHS is fine, but you should also consider Digital Beta,
> the latest
> broadcast industry standard).
>
> Now, nothing's preventing you from making the video copy off the original
> first and waiting on the other preservation work,  although the film WILL
> GET WORSE if not put in cold storage.  If you have a useable
> video copy, you
> can sometimes more easily excite potential funders about ponying
> up the cash
> for the full-blown preservation.  Also, check the website of the National
> Film Preservation Foundation (www.filmpreservation.org) -- they
> give grants
> for just such preservation work, if they feel the images merit it.  In any
> case, send the film to a reputable lab well versed in dealing
> with archival
> footage -- and make sure they use a Rank-Cintel wet-gate system
> for transfer
> (this is extremely kind on old film).  There are several such labs around
> the country, but I'm not sure about Ohio (although when it comes
> down to it,
> it really doesn't matter how far away it is!).  You might want to revise
> your request and post it on the Association of Moving Image Archivists
> listserv (submit the message to AMIA-L@LSV.UKY.EDU and make sure you ask
> them to reply directly to you, since you won't be subscribed) to see if
> anyone in your area has suggestions for a lab they trust.  I'll be glad to
> suggest a few if you want to give me a call.  Good luck!
>
> -Paul
>
> Paul J. Eisloeffel
> Curator of Manuscripts and Audio-Visual Collections
> Nebraska State Historical Society
> P.O. Box 82554
> Lincoln, NE 68501
> (402) 471-4750
> Fax: (402) 471-8922
> E-mail: pje@inebraska.com
>            pje@nebraskahistory.org
> www.nebraskahistory.org
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bridgette Kelly" <BKelly@STANHYWET.ORG>
> To: <ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU>
> Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 10:53 AM
> Subject: query: conversion of 16mm film to video
>
>
> > Hi all!
> >
> > I have been assigned the task of having 16mm home movies on safety film
> from
> > the mid-1920's to 1930's, converted to some type of VHS format. Could
> anyone
> > recommend a company in northeast OH that could do this for a reasonable
> fee?
> >
> >
> > Also, is there a particular format that is better than another?
> I seem to
> > remember from making a documentary in school that the head of the media
> lab
> > preferred SVHS over VHS because of the better quality. I'm not
> sure of the
> > differences.
> >
> > Does anyone know if it is cheaper to have a copy onto 16mm film when
> having
> > this other work done, rather than going back later to have a 16mm copy
> made
> > for preservation? The film is just starting to get a smell to it (kinda
> hard
> > to tell if it's just musty or not) and at first glance appears to be in
> > great shape. I'd hate to wait and not be able to get a clear copy to
> > preserve. Right now, though, the 'powers that be' are more concerned at
> > having an accessible copy (we don't have a 16mm projector). I'm
> hoping to
> be
> > able to talk them into a 16mm copy by using the $$ aspect.
> >
> > Thank you in advance for your help with my many questions! Feel free to
> > reply off-list or to forward this request to people who might help.
> >
> > Bridgette
> >
> > Bridgette A. Kelly, Special Collections Manager
> > Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
> > 714 N. Portage Path
> > Akron, OH 44303
> > phone: 330-836-5533 ext. 132    fax: 330-836-2680
> > BKelly@stanhywet.org
> > www.stanhywet.org
> >
> > A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
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> >
>
> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
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> Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>
>

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Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>