We have manuals available for most projectors. See our spare part finder.

Yes, that is possible. You can request your free sample scan here.

Yes, you can edit the film yourself. More info: Editing video files – with free software.

We can also do the editing for you. In consultation we can change the order of films, cut out pieces, add music, etcetera.

The problem when a large video file cannot be copied is usually that the file system of the hard disk or USB stick is still in FAT32 format. Files larger than 4GB cannot be stored on a FAT32 volume. Formatting the flash drive in the exFAT or NTFS file system will solve this problem.

You can find more information about this:

• Website of SanDisk
• Explanation on Youtube

Yes, you can! Kodak has even reintroduced new Kodak Reversal color film in 2018. In the Netherlands you can go to super8.nl.

Yes indeed, that can still be done. There are still a number of specialized laboratories that do this. We work with super8.com ourselves. For newly shot films, this is still very affordable!

This is also possible for films that have passed their sell-by date, although it is a bit more expensive (
€ 100,= per film of 15 meter.
). Also, the quality of these will generally be lower. These films can often only be developed in black and white. Due to the long lying of the undeveloped film, the images often become very blurred.

It is possible to digitize your 8mm films yourself. However, the quality achieved is considerably less than if it is done professionally. For more information on how to transfer your own films, see our page about digitizing your own films.

Somebody told me that if I take soured films through a projector and play a non-soured film through the projector afterwards, the non-soured film will also sour. Is that true? Is a soured film contagious? Is there anything you can do about it, like clean the film?

That is definitely a risk. When a film is soured (acetata decay, vinegar syndrome) the substance “acetic acid” is released (smells like vinegar). This substance can affect other films. Cleaning films with vinegar syndrome does not help.

The decay of the film can be slowed down by storing the film in a cold place (preferably in the freezer). Special bags can also be placed in the film cans to slow down the acidification process: Kodak Molecular Sieve.
It is best to copy or digitize this film directly.

For more information, see the film preservation guide.

Click here for examples of single-8/super-8, normal-8, 9.5mm and 16mm film.
For more detailed information on types of films: www.filmcollector.nl (Dutch).

Yes, you can. We rent and sell film viewers and film projectors.

This depends on a number of factors, including the number of frames per second (18 or 24), whether it is normal8 or super8, and so on.
Below is the table for the most commonly used format (18 frames per second and super8):

Click here for the complete table with the duration of films (Dutch).

There are two types of 8mm films:

1) super8 / single8

super8 films are usually put on coils with an inner diameter of 12 mm

2) regular8 (also called: normal8, standard8)

regular8 films are usually put on coils with an inner diameter of 8 mm

• The USB stick is not recognized: TVs sometimes cannot handle all formats of USB sticks. Sometimes they cannot read NTFS or exFAT. You can find out which format USB sticks your TV can read in its manual.
  If that is the case, you can create a USB stick in the correct format and transfer the video files to it.
• The USB stick is recognized, but the (video) files do not play properly. We create the files in a format that plays well on as many TVs as possible. However, some (old) TV’s may not be able to play the files in this format. In the manual of your TV you can find which formats / codecs are supported. These video files need to be transferred to a format that is playable on your TV.

By default, we deliver digitized film in .H264 format. This format is the defacto standard for video. If you want to perform heavy edits such as color correction etc. yourself, we recommend Prores. Read more: https://van-eck.net/en/video-codecs/

There are several ways to edit digitized videos and films yourself.

For cutting and pasting only, I recommend LosslessCut.The advantage of this program is that the video does not need to be re-encoded and thus no quality is lost. If you want more, such as adding titles, music, transitions, etc. then you need a somewhat more comprehensive program. See here for my top five recommended free video editing programs:

Bewerken van video bestanden

If you have even more requirements, then a paid program is recommended. Some examples: Final cut pro (Apple) and Adobe Premiere / Magix Video for the PC.

By default, when you download to your c:disk. There is not always enough room there.

In the browser you use, you can set to download to another partition or drive (e.g., external hard drive).

Herewith tips to adjust this setting:

• Chrome : https://www.seniorweb.nl/tip/downloadmap-in-chrome-veranderen
• Safari: https://www.seniorweb.nl/tip/download-in-safari-opslaan-op-gewenste-plek
• Edge: https://computertotaal.nl/artikelen/pc/zo-kun-je-de-downloadmap-in-edge-wijzigen/
• Firefox: https://www.thefastcode.com/nl-eur/article/how-to-change-the-firefox-download-folder-location

See the film clip below for this:

If the films to be scanned have stains caused by moulds, we can specially clean the films. With our mould cleaning machine we can remove between 85% and 100% of the stains from the films.

Note: Mold cannot be removed from movies with film cleaner!

Mold is often found on Agfa films, but sometimes on other brands of films such as Kodak or Fuji.

Preparing a Film for Playback or Digitization

(If you have your films digitized by Van Eck Video Services, you do not need to do this yourself—this is included by default with the film transfer/digitization service.)

1. Use of Leader and Trailer Strips

Leader and trailer strips are empty pieces of film attached to the beginning (leader) and end (trailer) of a film. They serve several important functions:

• Protection: They prevent the first frames of the actual film from being damaged during threading into the projector.

• Ease of threading: The projector can more easily pick up the film and transport it correctly.

• Stability: The leader allows the projector to reach the correct speed and stability before the actual image begins.

• Identification: Different colors are often used (e.g., white or transparent for the beginning, red for the end) to clearly indicate where the film starts or ends.

👉 Make sure the leader strip is long enough (approximately 60–90 cm is ideal).

👉 Depending on the brand/type of projector used, the beginning of the leader may need to have a specific shape. This is usually indicated in the projector’s manual. The three most commonly used shapes are: straight, angled, and rounded.
To create this shape, it's best to use a film trimmer. Sometimes this is built into the projector, but separate trimmers are also available:

2. Film and Splice Inspection

Before playing the film, it is important to inspect it thoroughly.

What to check:

• Tears or holes near the perforations: These can cause transport issues or film jams.

• Splices: These are the connections between two pieces of film, often made using tape or film cement/splicing glue.

What to do with splices:

• Carefully test their strength. Gently pull on both sides of the splice to check if it still holds well.

• Ensure the splice lies flat. A splice that is too thick may cause jams during projection.

• Replace old or weak splices. Use a splicer and the appropriate tape or cement.

3. Using a Splicer

A splicer is a device used to neatly join film strips together.

Functions:

• Cuts the film straight so both ends align properly.

• Aligns perforations for smooth transport through the projector.

• Applies tape or cement accurately to create a strong, flat connection.

Tips:

• Clean the splicer regularly.

• Practice on a piece of old film if you have no prior experience.

4. Other Important Preparations

• Clean the projector—especially the sprockets, film guides, and lens.

• Use a film cleaner to remove dust and dirt from the film.

• Optionally, use a film rewinder to evenly wind the film after playback.

By carefully following these steps, you will extend the lifespan of your Super 8 film and ensure a stable, trouble-free projection.