For Super-8, 8mm Copies to DVD, MiniDV Video:
Which is the best model TVT for you?

Common features: All are flickerless, with automatic or manual exposure, multiple speeds close to the original filming rate, footage counter, high resolution, and film scanning in real time without blended film frames. All share the superior TCS basic technology but there are differences:

TVT-8M: For typical home movie films with a lot of bad splices and other defects that might not all be caught in preparation for transfer, the TVT-8M models are the best choice. Sprocketless drive, so there are no loops to be lost and no shredding of film after a bad splice. If a bad splice sticks in the film gate, just immediately give the film a quick downwards yank below the gate to free it, with no need to stop the transfer. Quick and easy manual threading. Film is easily removed in mid-reel if desired. Recommended reels are 200', 400' and 600' low inertia plastic with 2.4" (60mm) center hub diameter. Two machines are required for transferring both super-8 and regular-8 and you can swap from one to the other in an instant. (TVT-S8M and TVT-R8M.) Instructions.

TVT-8J: For films that have never been projected, or are in excellent condition with perfect splices of the recommended type, or that are painstakingly repaired and restored before transfer. Fast and simple automatic threading through the sprockets and film gate. Push-type loop setter / restorer and ratcheting sprockets for resetting lost loops. Film is difficult to thread or remove in mid-reel. Reels of any size and style, 50' to 600' should be fine as the sprockets isolate the film gate from the reels. Two machines are required for transferring both super-8 and regular-8  and you can swap from one to the other in an instant. (TVT-S8J and TVT-R8J.) Instructions.

TVT-D8: Intended for the hobbyist or small facility with more time than money, the TVT-D8 will transfer both super-8 film and regular-8 film. Changeover from one to the other takes time, tools, care and patience so it is much more efficient to have two dedicated machines instead. An enlarged gate permits matching the video area to the exposed area of a particular film camera, with minimal loss of picture. Sprocketless drive, so there are no loops to be lost and no shredding of film after a bad splice. If a bad splice sticks in the film gate, just immediately give the film a quick downwards yank below the gate to free it, with no need to stop the transfer. Quick and easy manual threading. Film is easily removed in mid-reel if desired. Recommended reels are 200' and 400' low inertia plastic with 2.4" (60mm) center hub diameter. (Take-up side will accept 600' size.) Instructions.

* For most use, it is recommended that the normal size projection aperture be used for doing the video transfer. This will minimize the number of framing adjustments that are required to keep the frameline that divides the pictures on the film from showing in the video signal, and to hide the dirt and hairs that often inhabit the edges of the camera aperture. Each film camera will have a different frameline position. Each individual regular-8 double-25' metal magazine will have had a somewhat different frameline position. Super-8 cameras are generally more consistent in this respect. Taking advantage of the TVT-D8 enlarged gate to maximize the scanned area will require more frequent adjustments to the framing as well as to the horizontal centering.

** For running from small 3" diameter 50' reels, it may help to pull the reel outwards on the spindle so the keyways are not engaged with the slots in the reel hub. This will reduce the running drag and give better results.