Movie Film to Video Transfer

The MTS difference.
We offer the very finest "reference quality" movie film-to-video transfer in Upstate New York. We
specialize in Regular 8mm, Super 8mm and 16mm gauge formats. We convert film for a lot of
very discerning Kodak film and imaging technicians. We have also had several film conversion
projects go to post for broadcast on local TV stations. Not all film conversion companies are the
same. There are a lot of local and internet companies that offer "high-quality", "archival" or
"frame-by-frame" film conversions that are actually very low quality. Take some time to read our
client recommendations section. To view sample comparisons of our film transfer process verses
other processes and our ability to improve many film issues CLICK HERE

No Subcontracting. All of our transfer work is performed in-house.
You'd be surprised to know that most local companies subcontract out their film transfer work.
At MTS, all work is performed in-house so all costs go directly towards a better finished product.

Your movie film is properly cleaned and prepared.
Proper film preparation is critical prior to transfer. We first replace all weak edit points. Film is
then cleaned with an exclusive three-step process using the same materials used by Kodak and
the George Eastman House. This process reduces excess dirt, dust, image jump and stutter.

Ariel Image technology.
Lower quality transfer techniques use a simple screen, reflective surface or transfer box to
capture the projected image. We use Arial Image technology which provides a much brighter,
sharper, more detailed image. It also provides more latitude to correct for poorly exposed film.

Custom built film projectors.
Original movie film speeds can range from 16 to 24 frames-per-second. Most traditional transfer
companies can only transfer film at 20 frames per second. This can make the image movement
look unnaturally fast or slow and severely limits the ability to accurately reproduce sound movie
film. Our combination of custom-built film projectors and special capture cameras allow for
conversion at three different frame rates, resulting in a more natural speed.

State-of-the-art capture cameras.
Future technology is moving towards progressive video. Our new 3-chip "latest generation"
cameras capture in progressive video. These cameras provide better color separation, higher
resolution, and more visual information than most video capture cameras. We have also recently
upgraded to the first HD capture capability in the area.

Recording directly to computer, not to videotape or DVD.
Recording directly to videotape or DVD is a low quality process and does not allow for further
image enhancement. Image enhancement is critical for a quality film transfer. Recording directly
to computer gives us the ability to color correct scenes, change the order of your film, remove
unwanted portions and in many cases improve over/under exposed film. It also allows for custom
editing, "up-rezzing" to future technology like High Definition DVD, the ability to pull photo prints
and file archiving, none of which can easily be done by transferring directly to videotape or DVD.

A side note on "frame-by-frame" movie film conversion services.
There are more and more local and internet film transfer services now offering "frame-by-frame"
film scanning. Some even claim it is "archival quality". This is not to be confused with true film
scanners costing millions of dollars, which require a skilled operator, high-level computers,
sophisticated processing software and clients with budgets far to exceed most pocketbooks. We
do not offer "archival level" film scanning services. This is a specialty in itself. Most companies
and devices that tout "frame by frame" scanning simply use a modified projector and video
pickup device. The film is run through the projector in real time and a "second generation" video
camera at the other end records (different than scanning) all the frames of the projected image to
computer. Basic software removes partial frames or fields. The operators are quite often people
with little video or film production background. We see many transfers from "frame-by-frame"
services that have lighter visual portions blowing out of range, black levels being crushed, soft
image detail and drastic color shifts without adjustment. In most cases, frame by frame transfer
is moot, as new "fake" frames then have to be added at the end of the project as consumer film
was not recorded at the same frame rate as standard analog TV or high-definition digital display
devices that you use to watch the final content on. If these new "frame by frame" transfer units
gave us better quality than what we currently offer, we would have bought one by now!

A quality transfer requires quality equipment, adjusted to the proper levels by a skilled operator.
Then color correction and image improvements are made once in digital format. Finally a high
quality file render to the final viewable media format. Although a step below true archival film
scanning services, our conversion quality comes very close and at a fraction of the cost!

Media Transfer Service, LLC. Rochester, NY . Phone: 585-248-4908 . Email: mtsinfo@rochester.rr.com