Convert 16mm Film to Digital

At 24fps (the standard for sound film), a 100ft reel runs approximately 2 minutes 45 seconds. At 16fps (common for silent 16mm), the same reel runs about 4 minutes. We'll confirm the correct frame rate before digitizing to ensure natural playback.

Yes. Many 16mm prints carry an optical sound track (a thin strip along one edge of the film). We can capture and decode the optical audio and sync it with the picture. Please note whether your reels have a visible audio stripe when placing your order.

In many cases, yes. Moderate warping and shrinkage are manageable on our professional equipment. Severely shrunken or brittle reels may require restoration pre-treatment; our technicians will assess each reel on arrival and contact you if any issues arise before converting your 16mm film to digital.

Absolutely. Metal film cans are the ideal storage container for 16mm film. Ship them as-is — just make sure the lid is secure, and the cans are well-padded in an outer box before sending in your 16mm film conversion order.

We accept reels up to 1,200ft (the standard feature-length reel size). If you have longer reels or multiple reels from a single film, contact us before shipping, and we'll advise on the best approach for your 16mm film digitization project.

16mm film is twice the size of Super 8 and 8mm, which is one reason it was commonly used in Hollywood filmmaking. The larger film can show more details and a sharper image, making the quality significantly better than 8mm film types. Both Super 8mm and 8mm films are the same size, but Super 8 was a high-definition version that also had audio capability.

Send your 16mm reels to Capture or use an available drop-off location. The film is inspected, cleaned, repaired where needed, scanned frame by frame, and converted into downloadable digital video files.

Yes, supported optical or magnetic soundtracks can be captured when present and in usable condition. The technicians inspect each reel to determine whether audio can be transferred.

Many older 16mm reels can still be processed. Capture includes basic repairs where possible and evaluates the film before scanning to determine whether it can safely pass through the equipment.

The current service includes in-house processing, film cleaning, basic repairs, frame-by-frame scanning, digital video files, 90 days of cloud access, and return of the original reels.