Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

Regarding the TRV-900:

• The workprinter I have is SD only.  Using an HD camera wouldn't work because the system wouldn't be able to keep up, and the software wouldn't be able to build the movie file.  There are new models of workprinters that have come out recently (only within the past year) that handle HD, but I can't afford them.  The website is www.moviestuff.tv.  The cost of such a workprinter would be several thousand dollars, after you factor in the camera, the accelerator, and other PC upgrades.  Considering the condition of the films, I can't justify the expense.
• The TRV900 doesn't suffer from most of the things you describe when used in this manner, because it never actually records video.  Only the camera element is used, and the workprinter assembles the individual frames captured by the software into to a movie.  In fact, this particular video camera is very popular for this application, because of its 3 large CCDs, large lens, focus ring, and low-light capability that exceeds most modern camcorders (unless you want to spend several thousand dollars).  For this application, newer doesn't always mean better because I'm actually not even using the camera's video capability.

Thanks for clarifying the workflow.  If I'm understanding correctly, the software is essentially gathering raw sensor data and assembling a progressive movie file?  I'm still curious how much it could benefit from a different camera.  The 900's sensor is still limited even in it's raw state.  Something like a 1/3" CCD camera would be ideal, like an old DVX100 which could be had for around 500$ these days and be a much better capture device with greater range for those highlights.  That said, if you do ever decide to upgrade, it would only be fair that we offer donations for the expenses.

PreserveOurHeritage said:

Thanks for clarifying the workflow.  If I'm understanding correctly, the software is essentially gathering raw sensor data and assembling a progressive movie file?

That's correct.

Oh, right, so you're not actually recording on the camera itself. What if you used an HD camera and did record it straight on it? You could probably even just rent one.

Right, so the exposition has to be much longer than real time. OK.

Just go to their website....

http://www.moviestuff.tv/wp_16.html

It is possible to make a transfer by just making a videotape of a projection. But framerates for projectors don't generally align with framerates for video, so some modification of the projector are usually required.  The standard way to do this is to use a 5-blade shutter instead of the 3-blade, in conjunction with adjusting the speed of the projector. There is a nice virtualdub filter for reducing any residual flicker that might result from any remaining variation.

The advantage of using the workprinter, on the other hand, is that you get an exact frame-by-frame correspondance between the film and the video. Since most players are capable of then performing the pulldown from the film frame rate to video frame rate, it usually results in cleaner motion.  They are also much easier to work with in post.

I sometimes use the method of filming off of a projection, when circumstances dictate.  For example, on films that have shrunk so much that the workprinter won't play them properly.

Quick progress report:

• sound synch of reel 2 is done.
• Adywan has reels 2 and 3 in his possession and is working on color correction.

Awesome. I just re-watched Laserschwert's cleaned up video and I just can't get over how awesome it looks!

Sound sync of reel 3 is complete.

Next I'll start in on the minor repairs for reel 1.

Almost there...

Puggo - Jar Jar's Yoda said:

Sound sync of reel 3 is complete.

Next I'll start in on the minor repairs for reel 1.

awesome!!  thanks for the update, Puggo :)

thorr said:

Almost there...

Stay on target...stay on target!

Wrong movie! ;-)  My brain is fried at the moment so I can't come up with a fitting quote from Episode V.

Great news!  Thanks for the update.

Edit:  This is a bit of a stretch but "The third reel... is away.  Yeahhhhh!"

Isn't that also the wrong movie?

EDIT: nvm, I was thinking of "It's away!" from the trench run in Star Wars.

TV's Frink said:

thorr said:

Almost there...

Stay on target...stay on target!

Wrong movie! ;-)  My brain is fried at the moment so I can't come up with a fitting quote from Episode V.

Great news!  Thanks for the update.

Edit:  This is a bit of a stretch but "The third reel... is away.  Yeahhhhh!"

Isn't that also the wrong movie?

EDIT: nvm, I was thinking of "It's away!" from the trench run in Star Wars.

"One more pass."