Variable Speed Projectors?

[megalith6]

hi,

what is the best, 24fps capable, variable speed projector for Super 8, please - a machine with a totally reliable speed control, which will not err - even fractionally - when set?

thank you,

[img]graemlins/film.gif[/img]

[cameraguy]

Well none will be that accurate out of the box. An Elmo GS-1200 can be run by external crystal control for a perfect 24 fps but it will cost you. I haven't followed GS-1200 prices lately but in the past they always went for over 1000 US dollars.

[megalith6]

thanks cameraguy,

i will make a note of it - in case i win the lottery!

lol

by the way, what is an external crystal control, please?

ric

[BolexPlusx]

Ah yes!

The Elmo GS-1200! The Mount Everest of Super-8 projectors! Stereo Sound, 250 Watt lamp, 1,200 Ft. Capacity, Switches, Knobs, LEDs, Meters,..almost a Ferrari for your table top: complex, tempermental sometimes, but awesome in full stride!

I belong to a film collectors forum and I'd estimate at least 25% of the content is directed towards this one projector!

I have the lowly Elmo ST-800. which is at least two notches down from the GS and still it's a great machine.

It seems that when a voltage is applied across a quartz crystal, it vibrates at an exact frequency. The GS-1200 has inputs to take these precisely generated pulses and synchronise the frame rate to match.

I believe this is why it is possible to sync a GS-1200 to a DVD player, and show films on a 20 foot screen with digital sound tracks

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 18, 2006 11:49 PM: Message edited by: BolexPlusx ]</font>

[megalith6]

Hi Bolex Plus,

i'd like to see one of these!

is it a two or three blade projector, please?

ah, quartz - that magical mineral - it has been enchanting the human race for untold millennia!

&gt;The Elmo GS-1200! The Mount Everest of Super-8 projectors! Stereo Sound, 250 Watt lamp, 1,200 Ft. Capacity, Switches, Knobs, LEDs, Meters,..almost a Ferrari for your table top: complex, tempermental sometimes, but awesome in full stride!

&gt;I belong to a film collectors forum and I'd estimate at least 25% of the content is directed towards this one projector!

&gt;I have the lowly Elmo ST-800. which is at least two notches down from the GS and still it's a great machine.

&gt;It seems that when a voltage is applied across a quartz crystal, it vibrates at an exact frequency. The GS-1200 has inputs to take these precisely generated pulses and synchronise the frame rate to match.

&gt;I believe this is why it is possible to sync a GS-1200 to a DVD player, and show films on a 20 foot screen with digital sound tracks

....................

bests,

ric

[BolexPlusx]

Hi megalith6,

Standard issue is 3 blades to allow for 18 FPS without flicker, however, many folks in the film collecting community modify for two blades, stay exclusively to 24 FPS and get the added brightness.

I believe there are kits available to do this.

[megalith6]

thanks,

hmm - my projector (3 blade) image is certainly bright ... i just wonder if my 24fps film is going to look less flickery on other media, if i use a two blade shutter projector?

[img]graemlins/wonder.gif[/img]

bests,

ric

[BolexPlusx]

As far as I know, the use of the two or 3 blade shutters has a lot more to do with the human visual system than video transfer.

It seems that it's been established that the minimum number of FPS for an image to appear smooth to the human eye and brain is about 50. If you use a 3 blade shutter at 18 FPS you will see 54 FPS. If you use a two blade at 24 FPS, you will see 48. It's possible if you show films to an owl or a snake they may see the flicker anyway, but that's their problem!

I seem to recall that 24 FPS and video transfer is done with a 5 blade shutter. (Something about getting the flicker rate to be an integer multiple of the video capture rate. I don't know. I'm profoundly ignorant of video technology!)

I've done very well with transfering using a Eumig 810 projector and tuning the frame rate to about 20 FPS. While I'm doing this adjustment I monitor the frame image on my video camera's screen until the flicker smooths out.

[megalith6]

it almost seems as if everyone finds (or doesn't!) their own way with DIY transfer - some claim it's down to the recording device, all invoke variable speed projectors, others swear by the number of shutter blades: i guess at the end of the day it's just what works for the individual (there are so many possible variables and choices out there)!

and a lot of people swear it can never be done at all?

but what fun trying to iron these questions out - and how much is learnt along the way ... i have learnt that the vast majority of state of the art frame-by-frame systems [in the uk] seem not to be able to cope with mixed super/single 8 footage (as a continuous thread of film), so i have a real personal interest in DIY experimenting to get the best results i can?

bests,

ric

[megalith6]

sorry - my server went bananas and this post triplicated - moderator please?

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