Tobin Video Transfer TVT-16 Telecine

[Clive Tobin]

We are now starting to ship our long awaited Tobin Video Transfer TVT-16 telecine machines for 16mm reversal or positive film.

 

These are self contained units with an integral film projector, optical system and video camera. Film scanning is frame by frame in real time, with no computer needed, and completely flickerless. Threading and exposure control are automatic, with manual exposure also possible. A solid state light source should last for years of average use. A footage counter provides argument-free billing to your customers. You can record the output directly to your customer's DVD, MiniDV or VHS medium, with no slaving over a hot computer, and for maximum revenue per hour. You can still record into your computer if you have a suitable video card and a fast enough processor.

 

Video outputs are standard Composite, and Y/C S-video. Audio outputs are -10 dBv unbalanced for consumer equipment, and +4 dBu transformerless electronically balanced XLR for pro gear.

 

Both Silent and Sound speeds are available in one unit, something that formerly required the purchase of two Elmo Transvideo TRV-16 machines. For NTSC video the flickerless speeds are 15 and 24 FPS (technically 14.985 and 23.976.) NTSC pulldown at 24 FPS is a 2-3 sequence as found with high-end scanners. For PAL video the two speeds are 16-2/3 and 25 FPS.

 

After having shipped about 140 TVT-8 machines for 8mm and super-8, we are finally getting caught up enough on orders to start furnishing the 16mm machines. The TVT-16 is based on the well proven Bell & Howell Filmosound Autoload design. The only weak point, namely the worm gear which tends to split, has been addressed by replacing all of them, split or not, with a new split-proof formulation and lubricant. Orders are being filled subject to a backlog of several weeks at present.

 

For complete information kindly refer to the Tobin website at http://www.tobincinemasystems.com .

[Dory Breaux DP]

Very cool! I would love to get my hands on one someday.

[Patrick Cooper]

Congrats Clive! Transferring frame by frame in real time sounds very attractive. Out of curiosity, does the built-in video camera have a close-up lens or 35mm format lens to magnify the 16mm frame to fill the ccd? Also, what tape format does the camera use? I'm assuming MiniDv?

[Clive Tobin]

Congrats Clive! Transferring frame by frame in real time sounds very attractive. Out of curiosity, does the built-in video camera have a close-up lens or 35mm format lens to magnify the 16mm frame to fill the ccd? Also, what tape format does the camera use? I'm assuming MiniDv?

There is a specially computed near 1:1 macro lens and not a 35mm format lens, and not with a separate (which is usually bad) closeup lens. Actually the 16mm frame is reduced somewhat to fill the CCD. A so-called 2/3", 1/2" or 1/3" CCD is smaller than the film frame. Only the old 1" vidicon tube cameras had a larger sensing area than 16mm film.

 

There is a camera installed not a camcorder. So you connect the Y/C (S-video) or Composite video and audio outputs to the external recorder, camcorder with analog inputs, or computer of your choice.

[James Steven Beverly]

Still waiting on that Tobin Video Transfer TVT-35 telecine machine, Clive. B)

[Patrick Cooper]

"There is a camera installed not a camcorder."

 

Ah is that one of those specialist 3CCD cameras that usually have no viewfinder and no recording mechanism? The type of cameras that used for microscope work, image processing, industrial applications etc? Those have pretty high resolution.

[Clive Tobin]

Ah is that one of those specialist 3CCD cameras that usually have no viewfinder and no recording mechanism? The type of cameras that used for microscope work, image processing, industrial applications etc? Those have pretty high resolution....

It is a specialist 1CCD camera which is adequate for old home movies. We will be offering 3CCD as an option eventually when the dust settles. In the meantime we get compliments on the camera performance, it uses a Sony Grade 6 CCD which is the best available.

[Clive Tobin]

Still waiting on that Tobin Video Transfer TVT-35 telecine machine, Clive. B)

Thanks for your confidence in us, but don't hold your breath! :-) Besides I don't want to make anything that I can't lift.

[James Steven Beverly]

Thanks for your confidence in us, but don't hold your breath! :-) Besides I don't want to make anything that I can't lift.

That's why God made forklifts B)

Edited April 28, 2007 by James Steven Beverly

[Kenny N Suleimanagich]

Any possibility of having one for negative scans?

[Clive Tobin]

Any possibility of having one for negative scans?

 

There are some problems with transferring negative.

 

For one thing, the emulsion is delicate and easily damaged, and it is not lubricated for projection.

 

Any scratches, dirt or emulsion flaws show up as a highly obvious white, rather than the black you are used to seeing in projected reversal or positive film.

 

A large amount of blue-cyan color filtering is needed to offset the orange mask of negative. A lot of equipment will not have enough light output to offset this.

 

I personally would be very nervous about putting negative through machinery that bears any resemblance at all to a movie projector. However, since it just takes a few extra seconds, we are adjusting the contrast (gamma) for negative in our TVT machines to what we think would be the right value. We are not claiming that neg can be transferred on them. If we ever get caught up with orders this is something I might experiment with.