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Self-Contained Film to Video Transfer Machine
The telecine projector, optical system and high quality video camera module are built in to one compact, easy to use unit. Available in super-8 or 8mm, NTSC or PAL. Three running speeds. The best equipment on the market today for efficiently copying consumer home movies to today's DVD format, with over 250 units sold worldwide.
Replaces Elmo Transvideo. The TVT-8 telecine models are designed for making high quality commercially acceptable video transfers, with high productivity, from typical home movie film. No slaving over a hot computer for hours with this method... just plug into any DVD, DV, VHS or other video recorder and monitor, and transfer in real time as if copying a tape or disc. No computer, no separate projector that is not quite right, no extra computer programs to learn, no tricky field and imaging lens alignments by the operator needed, no darkened room. Designed for continuous use in your high-volume transfer lab. Productivity is several times as great as with computer-dependent methods. The configuration of the optical system is like that of the Elmo TRV units. In addition there are three flickerless speeds, footage counter, heavy duty construction, plus other features.
Direct Imaging Picture Quality. A CCD video pickup with 752 or 768 pixel horizontal resolution and DSP (digital signal processing), a special macro lens system, sprocket drive and our exclusive technology assures a sharp, steady, flicker-free image. Video outputs are standard BNC (and consumer RCA video with an adapter,) also there is a Y/C (S-Video) socket for DVD, Mini-DV, Digital8 and Super-VHS recording. The speeds are crystal controlled to .005% accuracy, eliminating any flicker adjustment by the user. The exposure level can be set fully manually if desired, or two automatic modes are provided: Peak Sensing for most subjects, and Center Weighted Averaging for strongly backlit dark film or extremely light film, all with the ability to correct up to several stops of excess density (dark underexposed film.) Three motor design eliminates all slipping belts and clutches, for reliability. A new high power solid state light source is used and it is expected to last for hundreds of thousands of hours, or years of average use. The diffused light source "fills in" film scratches by providing light at a wide angle to replace light that is refracted by the scratch, making the scratch less visible. With the permission of the camera manufacturer, we have the special jigs and software to make adjustments to the DSP (digital signal processing) for optimum results from film.
If you need an IEEE-1394 Firewire digital signal, for connecting to a camcorder or other device that lacks analog inputs, this can be had through an accessory Canopus ADVC55 digital converter box.
A 3CCD camera version is now available. This will be ideal for Type J and Type M users who demand the best possible image quality. Resolution is increased to a rated 800 lines, with higher sensitivity, lower noise and better color.
Three Crystal Running Speeds. This is an exclusive Tobin invention and something nobody else has. Film that was photographed at either 16 to 18 or 24 to 25 FPS (frames per second) can be run with natural looking screen action very close to the original speed, and no trace of flicker. A rotary switch selects the speed, which is normally 17.126 FPS in NTSC (within about 5% of the original filming rate) or 16-2/3 FPS for PAL video. Additional flickerless speeds are 1/2 normal and 1-1/2 normal, namely 8-1/3 and 25 FPS in PAL. No fiddly speed tuning by the operator to minimize flicker is needed. (The TVT is not equipped for magnetic sound; this represents only about 5% of the market and falling, now that magnetic-striped film was discontinued around 1996. Perhaps keep one of your still-running Elmo TRV-S8 units for doing super-8 sound film.) In NTSC we can on special order make a TVT-8 to run at 24 FPS. See below*. Reel capacity has been increased to 600 feet (180 meters) on the J and M type TVTs. A high-speed rewind is provided and it works without running the mechanism.
Frame By Frame Scanning. The Type M, J and D8 versions both scan one film frame at a time, in real time while each frame is stationary in the gate, so each video field contains information from just one film frame, with no blended frames. This gives maximum clarity and no double image when the video is examined field by field. Pulldown in NTSC at normal speed is 4:3 on a field basis for smoother video action than when duplicating entire video frames 4:3. Electronic shuttering, instead of a physical shutter, gives absolutely zero flicker in the video.
What About Pausing the Film? Don't be fooled by those who claim that pausing the film for a long time in the gate gives superior quality. The TVT scans the film in about 1/500 of a second, and each frame is pulled down rapidly and then is paused in the gate for about 1/20 of a second at normal running speed, which is more than ample time. Pausing longer with other equipment is because of hardware or software limitations that they are trying to spin into an advantage.
Maximum Film Safety. A two-tooth pulldown claw distributes stress for minimal perforation wear. Fast and simple manual threading in the TVT-8M and TVT-D8 models protects the film from added damage from lost film loops. Or choose automatic threading in the TVT-8J models for maximum user convenience for film that is in good condition, with push-type loop setter / restorer and ratcheting sprockets for resetting lost loops.
Footage Counter. An LED (light emitting diode) digital film length counter adds in forward and subtracts in reverse, for accurate guess-free billing for maximum revenue, with no customer arguments if you can write an exact figure on their bill. Guessing the length of film on a reel can be notoriously inaccurate because of splices, thickness changes and tightness of winding and usually is low. A reset button manually zeroes the count at the beginning of the reel.
Heavy Duty Construction. Precision machined reinforced metal panel and welded steel case with durable baked powder coating. Operation is on universal power of 100 to 240 volts AC, 50 or 60 Hz with built-in switching type power supplies for efficiency. Camera module specs: 768 x 494 NTSC, 752 x 582 PAL, 480 line rated resolution, 48 dB s/n ratio with g (gamma)=1. Front panel is sloped 15º for operator convenience and to keep the reels from falling off. Framing adjustment. Non-slip non-marring rubber feet. Detachable power cord is easily swapped for foreign types. Manual advance knob. Bell & Howell modular mechanism is inspected and remanufactured to our specifications. Mechanism and drive motor hours counter. Shipping weight about 25 pounds Oversize-1, or dimensional weight higher if shipped by air. Takeup reel and all cables and instructions are included.
Please specify NTSC video output (USA type) or PAL video output (European type). Film counter for USA units measures feet, and overseas units can be set to measure meters. Let us know your preference.
Summary pages with photos and prices are here:
TVT-8M TVT-8J TVT-D8
A Progressive Scan option is available in PAL video. This copies one frame of film to one frame of video with Field 1 always dominant, at 25 FPS, without interlacing artifacts. With this option, the effective film running speed would be user-determined later by computer software. We have shipped a number of units to Europe thus far.
Specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. Instructions for TVT-8M are here and for TVT-8J (without pictures) are here. Operating and changeover instructions for TVT-D8 are here. Testimonials page. 16mm version is here.
This is high quality commercial grade equipment, not to be confused with low productivity and awkward computer-dependent hobby type devices, or with the nasty little mirror and groundglass boxes that are sold on the consumer market.
Ready to order now? Please see our ordering info page.
Not quite ready? Prospective purchasers can get our free DVD NTSC demo disc on request. Please send an e-mail.
Authorized repair facilities list is here. Our suggestions for splicing are here.
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