Do you have a bunch of Super 8 video reels sitting around at home with no way to watch them? Did you think that, because Super 8 was the most awesome technology ever, you’d always be able to watch your home movies for forever? We don’t need to tell you that things didn’t work out that way. We also don’t need to tell you that it’s not so simple to watch your Super 8 films these days.
The good news is that it’s possible to digitize your old Super 8 films, making it so that you can watch all of your old home movies on any digital device! The bad news is that most options aren’t so simple.
Convert Super8 to Digital Options
Here are a few ways to digitize your Super 8 films:
OPTION 1: FILM PROJECTOR/FILM
This method is going to be extremely low quality, and your home movies will suffer for it. For this method, you’ll want to set up a stable digital video camera that points towards a wall. You’ll then need to project your Super 8 film onto the wall while your digital camera records it. This method obviously has flaws such as loss of fidelity, off-axis recording, and color loss. Unless you have a high quality projector and really know how to calibrate a digital camera in low light, this method will leave much to be desired.
OPTION 2: PURCHASE A SUPER 8 TO DIGITAL DEVICE
This way is pretty expensive. You’ll need to buy a piece of equipment that plugs into your computer and scans the Super 8 film. Here’s an example that we were able to find on B&H: The Wolverine Reels to Digital Movie Maker. Besides being expensive ($300 + shipping), you’ll be in charge of doing all of the set-up. You’ll need to install the correct drivers onto your computer, use a video editing software of your choosing, and you’ll have to take the time to do the digitizing. This process will not be quick. Video editing software is usually complicated, time consuming, and generally frustrating. Once you’re done getting the movies saved digitally, you’ll have to actually burn the DVDs, which will only add more time and potential frustration.
All-in-all, it’s possible to digitize your own Super 8 movies at home, but the results are usually less than desirable, and it takes a ton of time. That’s why we recommend:
OPTION 3: SEND YOUR SUPER 8 FILMS TO LEGACYBOX
Legacybox will send you a crush-proof box that you can put all of your Super 8 films into. Then, they’ll digitize all of your films for you in their state-of-the-art machinery, pack everything back up lovingly, and send you your ready to watch DVDs in the mail.
