Semi-OT: Question about transferring film to video

[MarkTheShark]

Hi, I'm thinking some of our experts may be able to help with this (possibly Mr. Pointer? Mr. Thunderbean?)

First, I apologize for my novice status regarding the technicalities of film.

If one has a 16mm negative with an optical soundtrack, can that be run through a telecine to a video format (such as DVD-R) accurately? I know a couple who do film transferring and they've transferred a bunch of 16mm film to DVD-R for me...in talking with them, I am under the impression that it's not a problem to transfer a negative image to a positive one...but with an optical soundtrack printed on the film, would that present any problems?

Most of the stuff I've had them transfer has been animated, so I guess this isn't really off topic.

Any insights would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Keith Paynter]

While I have done some very good transfers with modified non-telecine machines, I don't think you're going to have any problems with the optical soundtracks, since they respond to light levels. The only thing that I can think of is that the signal may be "out of phase" (reverse direction, pulling instead of pushing your sound.) Density soundtracks may perform differently, since they are considerably darker on a printed negative. If their post-production software has a "reverse phase" feature I would suggest using it, since it can potententially damage speakers by driving the energy in the opposite direction.

Reversing a negative will of course tend to show embedded dirt as white marks on the image, which can be more exaggerated from a 16mm source than a larger 35mm (+) source. You don't mention if these are b&w or color negatives...I'm not sure what tint the film color may lean to on a "turned" negative, or its potential emulsion scratches.

[Tom Stathes]

Running a negative through telecine should not be a problem, and any irregularities that might come up in the transfer (color, sound, etc) can probably be tweaked on a computer editing program.
Now for a shameless plug, for those of you who don't know, I offer very accurate and affordable 16mm film transfers: http://farmeralfalfa.tripod.com/id20.html

[Studio Toledo]

Running a negative through telecine should not be a problem, and any irregularities that might come up in the transfer (color, sound, etc) can probably be tweaked on a computer editing program.
Now for a shameless plug, for those of you who don't know, I offer very accurate and affordable 16mm film transfers: http://farmeralfalfa.tripod.com/id20.html
Then I guess I'll have to talk to you then! (having stuff I want to get on DVD personally since I don't feel like wasting my projector bulbs on petty individual screenings)