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or separate camera needed, or you can connect to a computer for editing if you wish.
Direct Imaging Optics. There is only a high quality 1:1 macro lens between the film emulsion and the built-in CCD camera. The picture orientation is digitally corrected, eliminating the usual quality-robbing parts of other systems. No cheap projection lens, easily ruined first surface mirror, uncoated field lens, poor quality uncoated plastic “Coke bottle bottom” close-up lens or zoom lens to lose light, spoil sharpness and clarity, introduce geometric distortion and color fringes, show vibration, reflect room lights and gather dust. No ground-glass screen to give a fixed grain pattern (as if projecting on to a concrete wall,) center hot spot, low contrast and resolution and dark corners. The high quality industrial grade, brand new Sony-CCD camera with DSP (digital signal processing,) combined with our simplified and perfected optics, gives overall quality that rivals other systems with 3CCD cameras.
Camera choices: NEW! OSD (On Screen Display) Version. A set of pushbuttons on the camera rear brings up an on-screen menu so you can alter many technical parameters yourself with no computer needed. Choose from Auto or Manual exposure, Auto or Manual white balance, Variable Gamma Correction (lightening of dark areas), Sharpness, Shutter Speed, Left—Right mirror image, Auto Level aim point, Color—B&W selection, and more. The OSD camera has a standard Yellow RCA jack video output and is rated at 540 TV lines (720 pixels.) Y/C S-Video Output Version. The technically preferred Y/C output keeps brightness & detail (Y) and color (C) information separate (S) so they don’t interfere with each other. There is also Composite video through an RCA phono jack for connection to the Yellow jack on consumer equipment. PAL cameras with the Y/C feature are getting hard to come by in this Emulsion Scan version and might not be in stock at times. The camera does not have any of the special user color adjustments of the OSD version and is rated at 480 TV line resolution. The color saturation looks higher, and this high grade model is recommended if you don’t need the color correction ability.
Enlarged Gate. This is included on the TVT-D8C dual-8 model. This enables you to show the entire camera image from the film, thus including the border that is normally cut off in the projector. You can tweak the magnification, focus and centering to your heart’s content.
Crystal Controlled Speed. The running speed and phase is synchronized to the crystal in the video camera. So NTSC units run at precisely 19.980 FPS (frames per second) and PAL models run at 16-2/3 FPS. Each film frame goes to three video fields without the film frames being blended together in any field. These speeds suit the video camera for a flickerless transfer, but are not equal to the original filming rate, unlike our newly invented True Speed models which have the exact 18.000 and 24.000 speeds, also without flicker.
Sprocketed or Sprocketless? The TVT-S8C for super-8 has sprockets and easy, fast automatic threading. The sprockets isolate the film being scanned in the gate from the reels, and the claw is in the same correct standardized position as in the camera (2 frames above the aperture) to cancel out any perforating variation in the film, so you have the steadiest theoretically possible picture and you can use nearly any size or style of reels. The film gate and lens holder are sturdily built so the image centering is stable. The film and splices must be in fine condition to avoid losing the film loops; if the loops are lost you can push the Autoload lever, or in a severe case you turn the knobs on the sprockets and they will ratchet to reset them after you stop running. The TVT-S8C is recommended if you have only super-8 film and if it is undamaged, and you will not be using the machine much. The TVT-D8C for both super-8 and regular-8 is sprocketless so there are no loops to lose, and a lumpy splice will stick in the gate instead of the film being dragged through by the sprockets. There is still a pulldown claw of course, but in a compromise position that will not give cancellation in case of uneven film perforating. Dual-8 models have automatic threading . An added locking thumb-nut reduces play in the film gate and lens holder assembly. The user needs to have some mechanical aptitude, and be able to read and follow directions, to efficiently change film formats. With the absence of sprockets to pace the film smoothly, the film strand does appear to vibrate when entering or leaving the reels. If you are busy with transfers, we recommend having two machines, each set for one format. (If you are really busy you should have our heavy duty models instead, with True Speed, automatic exposure correction, a footage counter for billing, etc!)
Manual or Automatic Exposure? NOTE: These factors are user-selected in the OSD version. Manual exposure is recommended for the serious film hobbyist who has taken great care in filming, and his exposure and color are nearly flawless. Automatic exposure and automatic color balance might be preferred by a small transfer operation, receiving the usual highly variable quality footage from the public. On request, we can program the Y/C camera for center-weighted automatic exposure. Automatic color can also be chosen and will help off-color film but can cause odd color effects in some scenes of good film. The Special Purchase NTSC camera is a good camera but the automatic exposure and automatic color cannot be turned off.
General. The TVT-8C models are based on refurbished, modified and adjusted metal (minimal plastic) Bell & Howell mechanisms in a sturdy die-cast aluminum housing. Reel capacity is 400 feet. Operation is on 100 to 240 volts AC 50 or 60 Hz with a universal “green” switching power supply with power factor correction. NTSC models have a standard USA 3-wire grounding power cord, while PAL models have a foreign AC cord, and please specify the country of use so we can affix the correct one. An empty reel, instruction manual and appropriate S-video or RCA composite video cable(s) are included. Actual weight is about 12 pounds, shipping weight with accessories is about 17 pounds. Color scheme and cosmetic appearance may vary. Tools are included with Dual-8 models for changing over from super-8 to regular-8. Please specify whether you want your Dual-8 model initially set for Super-8 or Regular-8. A You Tube demo of heavier-duty models with similar resolution is here.
Models for NTSC (USA type) or for PAL (European type) video:
With high grade Sentech Y/C camera with Y/C S-video and RCA Yellow Jack video outputs. Note: Running speed for NTSC is nominally 18, precisely 19.980 FPS (frames per second) for general home movie use: Note: Running speed for PAL is nominally 18, precisely 16-2/3 FPS (frames per second) for general home movie use:
Dual-8 C for super-8 and regular 8mm film is $1695. Sprocketless. Emulsion side scan.
Super-8 C for super-8 film only is $1495. Has sprocket drive. Emulsion side scan. The pulldown claw tends to wear out quickly on these if heavily used, perhaps in 200 running hours. It appears that the Dual-8 mechanisms hold up much better but we do not have a lifetime estimate as none has yet worn out.
OSD Camera is available for color corrections by the user, with only a Composite output. Deduct -$200 to above Y/C version prices, when available.
Special Purchase Camera is available in NTSC ONLY. Excellent quality special purchase 480 line rated camera with composite video output only, and automatic exposure and automatic color balance that cannot be turned off. Cosmetic second mechanism may have scratches, dents or superficial corrosion that does not affect operation. When available and while they last deduct -$200 from Y/C prices above.
Please Specify whether you want NTSC or PAL, and if PAL, the country it will be used in, so we can attach the correct power plug. Also, whether you want your Dual-8 D8C unit initially set for super-8 or regular-8. Also Specify whether you want manual or automatic exposure, and fixed or automatic white balance, where offered.
Confused by some of the misinformation about telecine that is floating around the internet? Get the straight scoop here.
Ready to order now? Please see our ordering info page. An order worksheet is here.
The operating and changeover instructions are here.
Are you a serious high-volume transfer lab? If so, you should consider our line of heavy-duty TVT models instead. These have features in selected models such as True Speed correct 18 & 24 FPS speeds, a digital footage counter for billing, hours counter for scheduling maintenance, 3-motor design to eliminate slipping clutches that can wear out, oversized drive motor for extra long life, automatic or manual exposure, sound film reproduction, 3CCD camera option, component video outputs, multiple speeds, cosine correction of the light source, super-fast rewinding, a power switch, detachable power cord, 600 foot reel capacity, and logarithmic Exposure conversion for smoother and more gradual manual light adjustment.
Film Preparation note: Before copying film on any telecine equipment, it is recommended that the film be first inspected and defective splices and damaged sections removed. It should then be cleaned and lubricated. Directions and sources of supplies are given in the instructions.
Can’t afford every possible format of telecine? Transfer companies who have bought some basic equipment from us, can have us copy odd format film on their behalf. See our capabilities here and contact us for more details. |
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“My Own Telecine” - Tobin Technology, Bargain Price |
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TVT-S8C Super-8 ñ TVT-D8C Dual-8 ò |
