Sniper

DV8 Sniper & Sniper 16HD Auto-Sync Switching

Overview Switching between the 8mm and the 16mm units requires some additional set up since the 16mm unit has been upgrade to the auto-sync feature.   Both units still connect to Flag via a switch box behind Flag's monitor.  However, the audio connection (behind the Flag tower) needs to be manually reconfigured and some software settings need to be changed when switching between machines.

Video Connection

The physical video connection is changed at the switch box behind Flag's monitor.   (box orientation with the switch in the top half)  Switch to the Left for 8mm and to the Right for 16mm.

Audio Connection

The Blackmagic Intensity Pro capture card has a right audio in and a left audio in.  A 'Y' cable merges the left and right into one connection.  This connection (at the end of the 'Y') connects to either the 8mm or 16mm audio cable.  The 8mm cable has a yellow end and the cable is fatter than most.  The 16mm cable is the red & black end of a double cable (white & black end is not used).

BTW I tried connecting the two audio cables from the 8mm and 16mm using a Y to the other Y and this did work until the 16mm was upgraded to the auto-sync....now it will not work with both plugged in.  Eventually I need to replace the switch box with one that can handle audio and video and that will simplify the set up.

CineCap Velocity HD Switches

There are two settings that must be changed when switching between the 16mm unit and the 8mm unit or vice-versa.  Both setting are on the "settings" tab and in the "Capture Settings" box.

1) capture device - configure button:

8mm:  Video format must be:  HD1080 29.97PsF 8-bit 4:2:2

16mm:  Video format must be:  HD1080 30PsF 8-bit 4:2:2

2) auto-sync box:

8mm:  Must be UNCHECKED

16mm:  Must be CHECKED

Film File Sizes - why is one bigger than the other?

Pupose: Sometimes customers ask why one file size is bigger than the other with regards to film transfer file sizes and different fps.  Here's an answer/explanation that may help.

Answer:

As for the file size, that all has to do with the fps and the corresponding pull-down that is applied to the file based on the fps selected.  Basically, standard video is at 30fps (29.97) and this is the file that we are seeing.  Now depending on the fps selected, the video will have multiples of the film frame in the final file.  For example, if the file is processed at 10fps there will be 3 copies of each frame, if at 15fps there will be 2 copies of each frame, and at 30fps there will only be one copy of each frame.  16fps, 18fps, and 24fps do not evenly go into 30fps so they will be further complicated by adding pull-down frames to pad them to 30fps.  Therefore, in summary, a 16fps speed file will be larger than a 24P file just due to the number of frames.

I hope that I’ve explained it clearly enough….I know it took me a while to understand it at first.

Reference:

Further info can be found in a document:  User Data\TMM\Research\16mm transfer units\Film Transfer process.docx

16mm Sound Film Pointers

Purpose This article focuses on transferring 16mm sound film.

What Can We Transfer

We can only transfer 16mm film with an optical sound track.

How Can You Identify Sound Film

16mm sound film has sprockets only on one side of the film.  Be aware though that sometimes the leader may not be the same as the film.  I have encountered silent film leader (sprockets on both side of the film) and then the film was a sound film (sprockets only on one side).   An optical sound track runs along the film on the opposite side to the sprocket holes.  The optical track looks like a dark and light wave pattern running along the edge of the film.

Preparation

  1. Mount the film on the rewinders with the empty take-up reel on the crank winder.
  2. Check to make sure the film is on the reel correctly:
    1. Emulsion side should be facing up...on the outside of the reel.
    2. For sound film the sprockets should be away from the rewinder stands.
    3. Sometimes the leader will say "header" or "trailer"....if it says trailer then the film is more than likely backward on the reel.
  3. Check the leader of the film to make sure it has about 3 feet of leader.
  4. Clean the film on the rewinders using the Solvon solution and a rag.
  5. Rewind after cleaning.
  6. Clean the Sniper-16 HD's:
    1. Gate using compressed air
    2. all the other track areas using compressed air
    3. wipe the lens with a lens cleaning cloth
    4. clean the sound drum (big silver drum with a red dot in the middle) with a piece of paper-towel and rubbing alcohol.
  7. Set the silent/sound toggle switch to "sound".
  8. Check the volume control knob.  It should be set to about 11:00 or 11:30.  Treble and bass are usually at 12:00.
  9. Thread the film and run.

Film On Reel Incorrectly - How To Fix

Backward.

Sprocket on the wrong side.