However, if you want to do this yourself, you need to take several things into account:
1. You need a good 8mm movie projector, preferably one that has at least a three bladed shutter and variable speed control.
2. You need a camcorder that has variable exposure and shutter speed control.
3. You need either a White Card or Film Transfer Box.
If you use the White Card method, the film projector projects the image onto the white card (which functions as small screen). The camcorder needs to be positioned so that its lens is lined up in parallel with film projector lens.
The camcorder then captures the image off the white card and sends the image to the DVD recorder or VCR. The AV outputs of the camcorder are connected to the AV inputs of a DVD recorder or VCR (you don't have to put tape into the camcorder, unless you wish to make a simultaneous back up copy). The camcorder will feed the live image to the video inputs of the DVD recorder or VCR.
If you use the Film Transfer Box method, the movie projector projects the image onto a mirror that is then deflected into the camcorder lens. The camcorder then captures the image off the mirror and sends the image to the DVD recorder or VCR.
Additional Factors to Take Into Consideration
The reason you need a film projector with variable speed control and multi-bladed shutter and a camcorder with variable exposure and shutter speeds is that the film rate for 8mm film is usually 18 frames per second and the frame rate of the camcorder is 30 frames per second.
What happens if you don't compensate for this is that you will see frame skips and jumps on the video after it is recorded, as well as variable flicker. With variable speed and shutter control, you can compensate for this enough to make your film to video transfer look smoother in appearance. In addition, when transferring film to video, you also need to able to adjust the aperture of the camcorder to match the more closely the original film brightness.
Final Points
1. This can be a fun project to undertake, but be prepared to spend some time. I have experience doing this myself with 16mm film and the main challenge is the actual setup. Be prepared to do several test recordings once you get it down though it can be fun.
2. You have the ability in this process to actually view the end result as you are recording by connecting the video outputs of your DVD recorder or VCR to a TV. This will show you how the signal is actually passing through to the recorder(s). However, it is a live image; the recording itself may not quite as good, as your end result on tape or disc may show a slightly lower resolution, especially if you are using a VCR instead of a DVD recorder.
3. If you use a VCR, make sure you record in the 2 hour SP speed - which will give you the best results in the VHS format. If you use a DVD recorder, make sure you use the One or Two hour recording modes, as this will insure the best picture quality.
4. ONE PIECE OF IMPORTANT ADVICE: At this point in time, I would make your transfers to DVD and not VHS (You could do both if you wish). VHS VCRs will begin to get scarcer in the coming years as a recording and playback medium for video, while DVD players and their successors will be around for a long time to come. However, the choice is yours.
