The Filmtransfer.com High Quality Process

Transferring film to a digital format is a process with many variables. Each point must be of superior quality to produce the best results.
Our processes were carefully developed by experts in the field to ensure that your digitized film looks as good as the day it was originally shot — or better!

STAGE 1 — Preparing the Film

The first step in our process is to check the condition of the original film. If the film has been stored in a cool, dry place, the quality of the original is probably at the same level as it was when it was shot — even 30 to 60 years ago. Given that the film hasn’t suffered any damage to the celluloid (for instance, from water or heat), the next step is to prepare the film for digitization. To get the best results, the film needs to be cleaned with a special solution that helps remove many dust and dirt particles which have most likely built up on the frames over the years. If this step is skipped, quality can be greatly compromised.

When we’re satisfied that your film is in its best possible condition, your film is approved for the next stage.

STAGE 2 — Transfer Stage

The transfer stage is where the quality varies greatly between various companies. Transferring takes an optical image and converts thousands of frames per minute to digital. Some film transfer companies use equipment that records a digital video from a projected film. This captures adjacent frames at the same time, producing blurry results with one frame overlapping over another. To guarantee the clearest results possible, FilmTransfer.com ensures each original frame in your film corresponds to an individual, new uncompressed digital file (TIF sequence) by capturing each film reel frame by frame. While this is lengthier and more expensive, it allows the playback of the digital frames to be as crisp, smooth, and exact as possible.

Equally important to individual frame-by-frame capturing is how the film is “re-created” by the digital imaging sensor. When normally projected, an 8mm or 16mm film is seen as sharp as possible, and you’re able to see the individual grain, which is its base makeup. With most companies, the film is captured with a standard definition 3CCD camera with a limited resolution of 720x480. This diminishes the fine grain detail and produces a soft image.

However, at FilmTransfer.com, we capture film at the “hi-def” resolution of 1920x1080 (6x greater than SD) — the perfect resolution to capture the full detail of 8mm & 16mm film.

STAGE 3 — Film Enhancement and Color Correction

Due to the passing of time, the three different dye layers used to create the beauty of color Kodachrome film deteriorate, all at different rates. This produces film that may look purple, pink, or an assortment of many different hues.

Your digitized files will undergo a careful, manual enhancement treatment by a trained color correction expert. We will correct problems such as discoloration caused by age to restore your movies to their original colors or make them better.

Note: Color correction is done on an as needed basis for $.20/ft.

STAGE 4 — Lossless Codec Compression

Once the film is captured in its full HD quality, we store the digital data in what’s known as a "lossless codec". Without a lossless codec, the original film produces around 500GB of data for each hour of footage. With multiple hours of footage, this becomes excessively difficult to manage and storage costs increase exponentially. A lossless codec allows the digital film transfer data to be diminished to a much more manageable 60GB per hour of film. This means that the digitized files can easily be viewed on a PC and Mac, allowing you to view and edit your video at the highest quality possible without requiring professional post-production equipment.

STAGE 5 — Final Quality Evaluation

Before your digitized film is burned onto disc and/or written to hard drive, our technicians perform a final quality evaluation to ensure that your files look as clear and crisp as possible, free from hairs, frame lines, and other undesirable effects. We’ll never ship out a sub-quality product — our reputation depends on it! Questions? Please feel free to contact us for more information about our services.