Super 16mm to what highest quality format?

[Cody_Jordan]

So my production company just shot a music video on Super 16mm film and we are processing it through a lab called Continental. I need to obviously get it to my computer in digital format for editing. And im looking for the highest quality digital format available. Some of their options include:

1. Digital Beta
2. DVcam
3. DVD
4. MiniDV

What option will I get the best quality?

My instinct tells me to go with dvd. Mainly because once the film is teleclined to the computer, burning it to a 24p dvd will cut down on any additional conversions or pulldowns, like back to tape and back to computer. Its mainly all digital if I'm correct. I'd be using DVD Decrypter to extract the video and edit on the timeline the .vob files. The only thing is they told me there wouldnt be a timecode on the dvd. (which doesn't matter that much to me). But in a way it didnt seem like dvd format was an industry standard in editing digitally from film.

Continental told me I'd get the best quality with digital beta, but unfortunately I don't have a digital beta deck lying around my house. My next step from dvd is minDV, and I would just capture it with my DVX via firewire. But it just didnt make sense to me. They process the film to the computer, then out back to a tape? Then I have to go and capture it back to the computer?

So i seriously asked them if i could give them my hard drive and have them just put it on there! But they declined saying it was against store policy. What a let down. Anyways, calling all DVX users on this one. What format should I go with?

 

[kappa22]

Re: Super 16mm to what highest quality format?

Well, first of all, I would recommend that you scratch the DVD idea (ah ha ha ha...little DVD joke there...unintentional). MPEG-2 just won't hold up through the editing and recompression process. As for Mini DV, I would say that's probably your best option at this point if you don't want to shell out to rent a DigiBeta or DVCam VTR. Just make sure you have it telecined progressive.

But wait... someone correct me if I'm straying too far from the path of sanity, but can't you record DVCam onto MiniDV tapes????

I'm sure there are many other people who can help you here as well.

 

[Vinnienerd]

Re: Super 16mm to what highest quality format?

Actually, DVcam IS DV but with a different tapespeed and trackwidth. On the digital level, DVcam = DV = miniDV.

I'd recommend letting the lab do dubs to DV and having them put the DV .avi's on DVD-discs. Then you can just import the DV files into your editing application. That way you don't have to capture them yourself, and you can still edit in DV, instead of at a crappy 8 Mbit.   Bear in mind that each 4,3 Gb DVD can contain ~20 mins. of DV video, after editing you can really compress into DVD-video.