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How to Convert Super8 to DVD

A great many memories from past decades and past technology remain captured on Super8 film, where they are less-than-accessible in today's digital media environment. Unless you have access to archival film preservation equipment or are willing to pay high prices for professional transfer (which many times will use the technique described here), you will need to set up your own screen and projector and capture the film with a device which can export in a digital format suitable for transfer to DVD.

Things You'll Need

  • Super8 Projector
  • Screen
  • Digital or DVD camcorder
  • Tripod
  • Microphone (if required)
  • DVD burner and computer with appropriate software (if required)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a projector that is clean, calibrated, free of dust, and on an even surface. Transfer of a Super8 film -- which is not only an analog medium, but a non-electronic one -- will require an air-gap; that is, the use of a screen from which to re-record it. You will need a suitably-sized screen as well. Make sure that your screen is also clean, secure and evenly-mounted. The room where you will be creating your transfer should be as free of ambient light as possible. Make sure you have no source of ventilation or airflow which might cause the screen to move.

    • 2

      Set up your digital camcorder on your tripod. Even if your film is short, a tripod is necessary to maintain image stability. Any movement of your digital camcorder during the transfer process will only compound the movements of the Super8 film, making the end result much harder to watch. If your film has sound, then you will need to take this into account. Some projectors have auxiliary audio outputs, but if not, you will need to use a microphone to capture the audio as it plays from the projector.

    • 3

      Inspect your lighting to be sure it's at the appropriate level and be sure that sound is correctly set up for capture. Start your digital camcorder before you start the projector. When you have completed this conversion process, you may (if necessary) transfer your recording to DVD using whatever software you normally use, such as iMovie or Easy DVD Creator.

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