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High Definition True Speed Dual-8 Telecine Models

TVT-D8 HD      (Preliminary specifications)

Full High Definition Scanning of Regular-8 and Super-8 in Real Time

The film runs at exactly the correct speeds, either 18.000 or 24.000 FPS (frames per second) without objectionable flicker. No computer is required for the transfer, or connect to a computer if you wish.

Running the film the right speed in the first place gives the most smooth and pleasing picture quality in viewing. Other methods, such as inserting additional identical frames at irregular intervals via computer, gives an irritating “judder” or uneven artificial looking motion. The True Speed slight blending between film frames is not noticeable in normal viewing.

Stunning Picture Quality With Advanced Optics

A 12-Megapixel or 15-Megapixel Full HD sensor and our advanced and simplified optical system gives breathtaking picture quality, unspoiled by the extra mirror, field lens, cheap projection lens, zoom lens, uncoated plastic “Coke bottle bottom” close-up lens, grainy little ground-glass screen, and flimsy unstable mountings of assorted lesser equipment. You can operate with normal room lights turned on. A superior 6-element Megapixel-rated computer-designed prime (non-zoom) imaging lens assures the highest possible resolution and general clarity. An enlarged gate allows you to capture more than the usual film area if you wish. Optical components are bolted firmly in position and will not drift out of focus or alignment. Select Full HD 1080i/24 or Smooth HD 720p/60 format.

Efficient Operation

With Type I Camera: Automatic threading, automatic or manual exposure control assisted by an on-screen Histogram display, automatic or manual white balance. Sprocketless transport so no film loops to lose. Record up to 2 hours of AVCHD* high definition on the built-in 16 GB SDHC memory card. You can then pop out the card, pop it into the companion recorder, and make an unattended Blu-Ray disc from it with a Panasonic DMR-BSxxx or DMR-BWxxx series recorder, available soon in the USA we hope and available now in certain countries, with other brand recorders also coming, while you are transferring up to another 2 hours on to the next card. Cards can be erased for re-use. Or you can feed the HDMI or USB playback** into a computer for editing. Or you can record and play back a standard definition signal with selectable aspect ratio for recording on a conventional DVD, MiniDV or VHS recorder. Cameras are available now. We anticipate that future camera models will provide direct outputs for connecting to other recorder types.

With Type II Camera: Same basic features as above, but the camera reportedly has an HDMI and perhaps USB and Component output** for feeding directly to a computer, or to a  Blu-Ray recorder with HD input, without having to record on the memory card first. Will record up to 48 minutes on a 16 GB SD, SDHC or SDXC memory card with reportedly less digital compression for possibly better results in editing. Camera features are not yet verified. Cameras are not yet available and will no doubt be in limited supply at first.

Built-In Monitor Screen

An LCD screen is mounted right-way up for convenient viewing. Magnification can be increased for critical focus adjustments if needed. Screen can be re-oriented to various positions.

Other Features

Usual high standards of TCS rugged construction with 3-motor transport, universal switching 100 to 240 volt power, 400 foot reel capacity (600ʹ on take-up side.) Film counter can be ordered to read feet or meters. Running hours counter for scheduling maintenance. Audio line-level inputs for recording background music or narration on the memory card along with the picture. Fast rewind operates without running the mechanism.

Expected availability May 2010. Price to be determined.

* AVCHD is an alternate standard for tapeless camcorders and Blu-Ray discs. It has about the same sharpness as standard Blu-Ray but has about half the “bit rate” and requires a modern Blu-Ray player that bears the AVCHD logo, to deal with the greater digital compression. Some older players will not recognize the format and refuse to play it. Most 8mm film does not have much moving fine detail (owing to shooting hand-held, and motion blur from the slow shutter speed) apart from unimportant film grain, so the lower bit rate (17 vs. 30 Mb/s) should not be a problem. We think.

** HDMI is the standard connection for HD monitors, but is uncommon or nonexistent for recorders or editing systems. The USB output should work for feeding material into a computer and making a file. We don’t know if the USB signal can be converted to Firewire. The Component outputs (if available) might work for something also. Making a Blu-Ray compatible disc from this file may require additional software. This is too confusing a situation for us to make any recommendations as yet. The reader is referred to available literature and discussion groups, and the Wikipedia page on AVCHD is here.