We use film scanners having 4K and 5K cameras and integral sound readers to capture moving images and sound on 16mm, Super 16mm and 35mm films. Our services work with both optical and magnetic sound film strips. Various outputs are available - MP4 or MOV files with resolutions of UHD (3820 x 2160) or 4K (4096 x 2160). A separate new movie file for each film reel; with all files being returned via links to our cloud sharing service or on storage media. The links remain active for 90 days. Basic color correction is included as part of our service.
Pricing - Our transfer rate is 35 cents per film foot ($0.35/ft) for silent films. For films with sound, we add an extra 5 cents per foot. If your films have a sound strip, then capturing the recorded audio adds significant value to the final film transfer product. We charge only for the film transferred. An invoice is issued at the end of the job, and payment is made via credit card or ACH online link.
Our lab is in St. Louis, Missouri. Shipping is free for orders of $100 or more.
Calculating Film Feet: Film transfer is priced by the film foot. The table below calculates the amount of film feet. Enter the number of each size film reel in your collection, in the table below, to figure out how much total film footage you have. Each order is a custom job, and final quantity of film feet can be
impacted by removing damaged or blank film, or by the estimation of film
feet being incorrect. We only charge for the actual number of film
feet transferred.
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Scanning Process: All film conversion processes include film inspection, cleaning, repair if necessary, basic color correction, and editing for best play. We repair old splices, remove blank film and/or film too damaged to transfer, and replace the leader if necessary. Prior to scanning
your film, we carefully clean it with a special solution to remove dust, mold, and other contaminants from the film stock .
This service is available for 16mm, Super 16mm, and 35mm films, whether prints or negative film. We use sprocketless film scanners from Lasergraphics and Cintel (Blackmagic) to digitally scan
and record the entire contents of each frame of your film. The captured film content is first reviewed and edited for good playback, then reformatted / converted,
and returned to you in UHD resolution (3820x2160) or 4K resolution (4096x2160). The playback speed varys according to film type, and whether audio is present.
Each film reel is transferred to its own data file. Please number your reels, or we will do this for you. The returned files are labeled as 01, 02, 03, etc.
Optional services available for onscreen titles, film with sound, warped films, and color correction.
All original film and film reels are returned to the customer after order completion. NOTE: As standard practice, we return your film to their original reels if reel sizes are 5 inches in diameter or greater. For 50ft (3-inch) and 100ft (4-inch) reels, we aggregate your film onto 400ft take-up reels. If you want your film returned to its original 50ft or 100ft reels, we charge $3 per reel for the extra labor.
Return Options: The standard choices for return file formats are given below. If you want a return format other than those listed, please call us on 314-942-1110 or email us at websales@cintrexav.com and let us know your special requirements, and we will try to accommodate you.
H.264 MP4 - these files can be returned via the Web or on storage media. The files are progressive, with a transmit rate of 10-12Mbps. Typical file sizes are 50GB per hour of film content.
ProRes 422 MOV - these files are returned on storage media (yours, or on media purchased from Cintrex). File size estimates are approximately 400GB per hour of film content.
Uncompressed 10bit MOV files - these files are returned on storage media, and are sized at approximately 1TB per hour of film content.
Pricing - Our transfer rate is 35 cents per film foot ($0.35/ft). We offer the option of a 2nd format for an extra 5 cents per foot, if interested in a larger file format (MOV or AVI) as your first choice, and an H.264 MP4 version as a second choice.
Film with Sound - We can capture audio from sound strips on your 16mm and 35mm films. Price is an extra $0.05 per film foot, with the minimum order being $25. Our editors adjust and synchronize audio playback for best play. Worth
the extra investment - adds significant value to final product.
Color Correction: We provide Basic Color Correction at no charge - we remove the blue and red tints, correct the white balance, highlight and improve color saturation as needed. If more advanced color correction services are needed, we can provide a quote. We have partnerships with certified colorists that charge a going rate of approximately $50 per running minute.
Educational Video Library: Videos on our film transfer process, sample finished product, color correction, and comparsion to previous generation film transfer.
Turnaround: Average turnaround is 2 to 3 weeks from
receipt of your order into our lab back to notification that your movie
files are ready for download.
Instructions: When placing your order in our online ordering system, please include your instructions to us within the comments section. Be specific about how you want your final product output to be organized, telling us what to name the data files, the reel sequence, on-screen titles, etc. If we have questions about your order's instructions, we will email or call you.
Shipping: At the end of the order submittal process, we provide a link to a free UPS Shipping Label for attachment to your inbound package to Cintrex AV. The label will have your origination address and our destination address. Take the UPS labeled package to the nearest UPS drop-off point. Do not leave larger packages unattended outside a UPS dropbox, instead hand your valuable packages over to a store clerk inside a UPS store or drop-off location. Cintrex AV provides free shipping, both ways, on orders valued over
$100. UPS shipping labels are created with your order and available for
printing and attachment to your package. Orders valued at less than $50
are charged a $25 shipping & handling fee, and orders greater than
$50, but less than $100, are charged a $10 shipping fee.
Warranty - If we make a mistake, we provide a 90 day warranty on
our work for editing changes or redo's if necessary. Our intent is for
you to be satisfied with the finished product. All finished jobs are placed in network storage for 90 days as
protection against loss or damage to the original order, or if the
customer wants further editing or extra copies. Replacement cost begins at $50 for a complete original set of MOV files from your order. Pricing can vary depending upon whether the set of files can fit on a flash-drive or requires a hard-drive.
