Many of us remember the times before digitalization when we recorded videos on 8mm films. However, if you have this format of recordings, it is clear to you that it is outdated – and if you want to save your memories, you must find a way to successfully transfer them to a computer and digitize them. Read more about this in our 2023 guide.
Save Your 8mm Movies In Digital Format
Do you have fond memories that you recorded on an 8mm film? Although they are going to history, 8mm films are, in most cases, the keepers of our memories. However, we don’t use this format nowadays, so if you want to save your memories from oblivion – you have to convert them to digital format, which is not always easy. Fortunately, we can switch it to one of the formats such as DVD or perhaps SD card, and even USB. However, to do this conversion yourself, you should have some knowledge about it and resources, to do it yourself. So let’s see how you can do that.
Seek For Professionals
This is always the choice No.1 because professionals are already versed in this business. If you wish to preserve your 8mm to Digital, you don’t know in what condition they are in after a long time. In addition, for a good Super8 to Digital conversion, you need to use professional devices and software. That way, you will keep its authenticity or get even better quality by converting it to one of the digital forms. Although most users are acquainted with DVD files, we need to say that they are slowly falling out of use. So today it is more common to turn Super8 to Mp4 – or into digital files such as AVI or MOV. However, we can say that HD-MP4 is the optimal choice – because of its resolution and it is supported by several different editor programs.
Devices For Converting 8mm To Digital Format
If you have many memories saved on 8mm film – maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to buy a transfer device. While this may be a little too much to transfer just a few films – some of you may want to get into this business or be helpful to your friends and family. A digital conversion device is probably the closest option to professional services – but still not quite the same. Namely, due to different framing speeds – most videos may play a little faster after converting. Still, it’s not an overly significant speed, so these devices can do a good job for you.
Re-Record Your Films
If you are a bit creative and have a projector and a camera – re-recording is the easiest mode to turn 8mm film into digital. There’s not much wisdom about this job because you’re going to record your old movie by playing it over a projector – and shooting it with a digital camera. Of course, if you already have a camera and a projector – it will be an affordable way to transform your old movie into digital form. However, even this requires little knowledge and skills. First of all, you need to provide a flat and smooth surface on which to project the old film. Also, you shouldn’t let someone in your room while you’re filming – because that can ruin what you’ve done so far. Another thing is very important, and it concerns the quality of the recording. Namely, modern cameras work at a speed of 30 or more frames in a second, while with 8mm film the number of frames is half less. This can make a film shot and digitized a bit faster. However, if you wish to avoid more expensive switching procedures, and you already have everything you need – this can be one way.
The Bottom Line
We pointed out just some of the modes to save your 8mm movies in digital format. Of course, it’s also important to start the entire procedure before your 8mm films fade or become dusty and unusable. This list isn’t final, but it gives you an insight into some of the modes you can preserve your memories.