Originally, 8mm film was shot at 16 frames per second (fps) and super 8 was typically shot at 18 fps, although sometimes at 24 fps for more professional use. 16mm film could have been shot at 16 fps, 18 fps, or 24 fps.
When transferring to digital, either DVD or digital files, most companies around the world deliver transfers that run at 24, 25, or 30 fps.
In the case of Super 8, to get from a native 18 fps playback to 30 fps, the digitization process needs to create duplicate frames. In order for the math to work, certain frames need to be doubled while others only need to be shown once.
At Memorable, we figured out how to deliver a native 16, 18, or 24 fps digital file after frame-accurate scanning of 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm film.
In addition to the digital version being an exact replica of an original film’s frame rate, file sizes are typically 46% and 40% lower for 8mm and Super 8, as we do not have to duplicate unneeded frames.
Since TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones display these native frame rates correctly, we can deliver digitized films with less data at the same quality.
You can enjoy your 8mm, Super 8, or 16mm films at their native frame rate digitally by digitizing your footage at memorable.app.
2 comments
This really makes a HUGE difference. I saw my film in native 18 frames per second and it was a night-and-day difference from other transfers that boost the file to 30fps. Thanks! I also have some 24fps films that look great in native 24fps!
Hey there Get Memorable team! I just read your article on native digital frame rates for 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm film and I wanted to say how informative and useful it was.
As someone who is not very knowledgeable about the technical aspects of film, I appreciated how you explained the native frame rates for each type of film and how they translate to digital formats. Your article was clear and easy to understand, and it made understanding the different frame rates much easier.
I also found it interesting how you shared the history behind the different frame rates and how they evolved over time. It’s amazing how much thought and experimentation goes into the technical aspects of film, and it really shows in the final product.
Overall, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing such a well-written and informative article. Your expertise in the field really shines through, and I look forward to reading more of your content in the future. Keep up the great work!