For Regular 8 and Super 8 mi-Skan units.
Not for mi-Skan D8.

NOTE: This unit is NOT dual 8. It will only
transfer one format or the other.

Unpack the unit but do NOT plug it in.

You will need the following:
Can of compressed air.
Shielded S-video cable of appropriate length
Sharp, bright Super 8 or Regular 8 film with good sprocket holes
(this should be disposable film to practice with)
Production monitor
Scissors

If you are international on 220VAC at 50 cycles,
you do not need a transformer for this product.
 

Plug in S-video cable as shown
and connect to your recording device.


Plug in unit.

Turn power on.

Verify that power light is on.

Put provided take up reel on back spindle. Make sure
that the slot of the reel is on the small "fin"
found on the spindle hub.
NOTE: This reel is critical to the balance
and tension of the system. Always use this take up
reel for proper performance.

Also, your source reel should be lightweight and balanced.
Avoid heavy metal reels with small hubs (the part the film
wraps around). Use reels that are very much like the
take up reel for best performance: Lightweight, balanced
and open so that the reel does not bind the edges of the film.
Use of heavy, unbalanced reels can interfere with
proper performance and lead to flicker.

Also, make sure that all film is cleaned and prepped.
All sprocket holes should be in good shape and
the film should be projectable for a stable image.
We recommend using Edwals AntiStat film cleaner.

Solvon is another suitable film cleaner.

Do not use FilmGuard on these units.


Remove side cover by squeezing the top
and bottom of the panel and gently pulling loose.
Blow out film channel on inside of cover.

Blow out film gate.


Cut tip of film leader in a curve.

For regular 8mm reels, remove the super 8 adaptor.
Grab by the black plastic only. Do not press down
on the silver metal clip. Firmy but gently pull.
There is an 8mm spindle underneath.

Step to right of unit and use
your left hand to push film into the gate.
(I know this seems odd but it is easier than using your right hand.)
Only push about an inch at a time.
If you feel resistance after about an inch,
the film may be hitting the advance claw. Turn the motor
on and off quick one time to retract the claw.
Repeat if necessary until the film will feed easily.
DO NOT TURN ON THE PROJECTOR AS THIS UNIT HAS NO AUTOFEED.

Keep pushing the film until it exits the back of the projector.

Pull film through projector.

Lay film on reel and let sprocket holes catch barbs on hub.
(some reels may not have the barbs, in which case use the slot)

Turn reel while keeping film tension and take up slack.

NOTE: Never try to load the film by taking the side cover off.
You can unload in mid-roll but do not attempt to load in that fashion.

Close gate by turning knob to "project" or "lamp".

Start the film running by turning on the motor.

Adjust the framer knob until the frame is centered
in the gate of the projector.
(the framer knob only works while the film is running)

It should be noted that most televisions
do not show the entire video frame. Use of an underscan
monitor for positioning of the image is highly recommended.

If you need maximum light, leave the switch
in the FULL position. This is useful for the occasional
under exposed film.


If you need to adjust the exposure, put the switch in
the MANUAL position and use the exposure knob.

When finished transferring, turn the motor off.

During set up, if you need to rewind the film a bit
to a previous section, switch the motor off and open the
gate by turning the control knob to off.

Manually move the film forward or backward
but turning the reels in the appropriate direction
at the same time, to relieve tension.
If the film is caught on the advance claw, just turn
the motor switch on and off briefly to retract the claw.

After transfer, always rewind between reels
outside the projector mechanism to prevent film damage.
For efficiency, rewind using separate crank winders.

Normally, the framer knob will provide all the
tilt function that you require. However, it is possible
that the internal camera may become get out
of adjustment during shipping, which can affect
the alignment as well as the focus.

To adjust the camera (if necessary)
Remove the back panel as shown using a Phillips screwdriver.


To adjust the left to right placement of the camera
as well as the overall focus, loosen the
two Phillips screws, watch the monitor
for good focus as you move the camera, then hold the camera
in position as you tighten the screws. Once the
camera is set, it will not lose focus again.

To adjust the level (horizon) of the camera,
grab the black camera tube (do not grab the camera, itself)
and gently rotate until the image is level.

As noted
previously, you should be using an underscan
production monitor to judge whether the camera is
truly level as regular televisions do not show the
entire picture edge.

To adjust the vertical placement (tilt) of the camera,
slowly turn the thumb screw one direction or the
other as you watch the image on screen. This is a general
adjustment to make sure the image is centered in the
gate of the projector. All normal adjustments during
transfers should be made using the framer knob while
the unit is running.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call
Roger Evans at 830-966-4664.