Sorry for sounding like an infomercial, but if you've got 8mm or Super8 films and have been intending to convert them to video, you might find this useful.
I'd been intending to digitize my parent's stack of 8mm and Super8 films for years, but was put off by the cost. We've got 30-40 small reels, and most of them are over 50 years old. We have old projectors with working bulbs, but nowhere to set them up.
I'd looked at getting one of those film-to-video conversion boxes, where you project the film into one end, and reflects it to a screen, and you photograph it from the other end. I almost picked one up at the thrift store the other month, but they're less than ideal for a whole bunch of reasons - not the least is that they're designed for video cameras, not phones.
But there are now consumer grade film digitizers on the market, and they're relative inexpensive - in the $300-400 USD range. I say "relatively", because it's still a chunk of money, but it's considerably cheaper than transferring the films via a service (although the result will be lower quality than if you use a professional service).
I borrowed one from a friend, and am in the process of digitizing the pile of reels - many of which are over 50 years old.
These work differently than the film-to-video transfer devices. For one thing, the actually photograph the frames, instead of projecting them. This obviously means you won't transfer any audio!
The frame is backlit against a white LED, so it doesn't get hot, so you don't have to worry about the film melting. It also means you don't get added color tint from the projector bulb, a hot spot in the middle of the frame, or the vignetting at the edges. It also reduces the blowout effect of scratches.
It also means you don't have the problem of the film flickering you get when you make a video of film and the camera refresh rate is competing with the projector's shutter rate.
Plus, you can capture the entire width of the frame, including the image between the sprocket holes.
However, there are downsides to this approach.
Since it's consumer grade, they use off-the-shelf components that digitize the frames directly to MP4 video. These hardware is apparently the same as that found in the dashcams so popular in Russia. There's no way to output single frames to your computer - the video goes directly into the MP4, and video compression artifacts are inevitable. The units are all 720p, and even the ones that say they are 1024p are upsampling in software.
You can (and should) adjust the settings - for example, turning off sharpening option - to minimize the effects. But they're still there.
If you stop the film to adjust the settings (such as exposure), it'll start up another video. The video can be edited together using video software, of course.
The video plays back at 18fps, so you'll need to adjust that using other software if you want the frame rate to work.
These are all-in-one units, writing the MP4 files to SD cards. So you'll need a way to transfer the films from the SD card to your computer.
They aren't especially fast, photographing at 2fps, so it takes about half an hour to digitize a small reel.
Finally, it seems to handle 8mm better than Super8. I've been using a friend's unit to digitize the films, and ordered a used unit from Amazon. The used device didn't handle Super8 very well (that's common), so it's going back.
The quality of the images depends on the quality of the film and lighting.
People have DIY projects to replace the video elements in these machines and send the frames output directly to their computers. They've also replaced the built-in camera with their own. Surprisingly, the results aren't all that different - at least, not on a regular monitor. The main difference is that they are able to avoid compression artifacts.
I've attached an example which is about average - I've converted films that look much better, as well as much worse! Keep in mind that motion tends to lessen the graininess. This particular shot comes from an 8mm film shot indoors with a camera using a mounted spolight, which is why the faces are a bit washed out. I'd forgotten how hot and bright those camera lights were!
All in all, I'd suggest if you've got a bunch of 8mm films you want to transfer, it could be well worth your time to get one of these. The Wolverine seems to be the best of the bunch, with the Magnasonic being a decent clone using essentially the same hardware.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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