Elmo CCD transfer units are used for the highest quality film transfer by Discount Duplication. We will answer these frequently asked questions:
Q) How do you transfer film to video tape?
A) Most people think we have a black box with smoke and mirrors that we pass a video tape through and is instantly converted to a VCR tape. Actually it is a labor intensive work of art.
Our film editor runs your film at a variable rate through the transfer unit due to different frame rates of different cameras and time eras. The amount of light allowed to enter the lens is controlled manually by an iris. The greater the amount of light without over exposure, the better the color quality. The light enters the ccd unit and becomes an electronic image and is then transferred by video cable to the digital dv editor machine.
Q) How does the ccd unit differ from a projector?
A) The ccd unit differs from a projector because it is a reverse process. The projector has a strong bulb that shines through the film gate, shutter and film. The image then passes through a lens and is projected on a wall or screen. The elmo is in reverse. It has a weak light that shines into the film gate through a diffuser to eliminate hot spots. The shutter is 4 blade for 8mm, 3 blade for super 8mm and 5 blade for 16mm film.
The light passes through the film gate, film, shutter, iris then into the lens of the ccd unit where it becomes an electronic image. Film must be perfectly relaxed as the bulb is not hot enough to relax the film. But this type unit can never damage film with a blister burn.
Q) Are these units still available?
A) Elmo is still making the 16mm unit called the TRV-16H 16mm to video converter. Price is about $4950 plus handling charges. This unit also has external sync so you can mix output with other sources.
Q) How is the image transferred to the video editor?
A) The electronic image is transferred directly to the video editor. If color is a big problem we can enhance it by use of a professional proc amp.
Q) Where can I get a unit repaired?
A) We do not currently have a listing for repair shop.
Q) Is there any better way to reproduce film image quality and color reproduction?
A) We have tried every telecine made, projecting to almost every surface, digital cameras, analog professional cameras, mirrored lense boxes and nothing will match the image quality and color reproduction.
