Preserve 8mm film - copy it to a DVD!

We copy your old 8mm movie film onto a DVD ( then you can easily share it with family and friends )

Don't delay any longer, the more you use your old projector, the more chance of damaging your originals!

Vinegar syndrome
The deterioration of acetate film is referred to as "vinegar syndrome" due to the distinctive vinegar odour it produces as acetic acid is formed. Vinegar syndrome proceeds quickly at room temperature, and it is accelerated by higher temperature and relative humidity. When enough acetic acid has been produced, the chemical process becomes autocatalytic, or self-fueling. The Image Permanence Institute has A-D Strips ® to measure the amount of acid present in film containers. The strips change colour when exposed to increasing amounts of acetic acid, and warn you when its time to do something! If vinegar syndrome is detected, that film should be segregated, if possible.

Protect your originals from little fingers, sprocket damage, poor feeding, frame burn, vinegar syndrome, fire, flood, vandalism and divorce!. There is the ever present danger that your spouse will throw it out in the next clean-up. Right now you have just one precious original copy - if all your family members had a copy on DVD, the images would survive for generations. We can also store an archive copy for you.

Stages of deterioration: The Northeast Document Conservation Center describes 5 stages: Heat and moisture in the surrounding atmosphere fuel the production of acetic acid; the film gives off a vinegar odour (see above) and begins to become brittle and shrink. The film begins to curl and may have blue or pink staining. The film loses flexibility and warps. The film develops liquid-filled bubbles and crystalline deposits, sometimes obscuring the image. As the film base continues to shrink, the emulsion becomes separated from the base known as channeling. If your film smells like vinegar then its already started! Act now to get another copy onto DVD before its too late.

Storage: Acetate film should ideally be stored in a cold dry place with a relative humidity (RH) of 20 - 30% Find out more about relative humidity here. The Image Permanence Institute suggests that an RH up to 50% will do no special harm, but will result in a faster rate of vinegar syndrome and fading. As you can see by looking at the relative humidity tables for Sydney, the RH is regularly over 60%, and rarely below 50%. So unless you are taking special precautions, your film is deteriorating right now! Metal film cans and reels can corrode and are also affected by acidic 'vinegar' gases, they should be replaced with plastic cans and reels.

Why is frame-by-frame transfer to DVD better?
Other (cheaper) methods involve projecting your film and re-recording it on a digital medium. The frame by frame method of transfer to DVD is a scan of each frame, one at a time, re-compiled into a digital format. There are therefore no problems with focus, flicker, jumps due to damaged sprockets, and no variations in light. Frame by frame transfer is the only method that will give you clear professional results. We actually guarantee the quality.

What do I get if I pay you to archive my film?
We will make and retain a copy of your DVD in our office for you. If you lose your original at least there is a copy somewhere else.

Don't delay .. Do it now!