8mm RGB Sniper Set Up

Unpack the unit but do NOT plug it in.

You will need the following:
Can of compressed air.
SVHS cable of appropriate length
Canopus ADVC55, 100 or 110 analog to digital converter
Sharp, bright Super 8 film with good sprocket holes
(this should be disposable film to practice with)
PC with minimum 512 megs of RAM
Level Pentium 4 processor or better
Windows XP Home or Pro
Firewire port
Velocity software installed
Mainconcept DV Codec installed
Scissors

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


Step 1. Insert the lens into the Super 8 tube.


Step 2. Screw tube into camera.

Step 3. Set camera in cradle. Hold camera in position
and lightly tighten side screws until firmly held
in place.

Step 4. Install camera cables as shown.
(SVHS and power)

Step 5. Install control box cables as shown.

Step 6. Plug SVHS cable into Canopus box.
Plug RCA cable into Y connector as shown.

Step 7. Plug in unit.

Step 8. Turn power on.


Step 9. Verify that camera settings are as shown.

These are pre-set before shipping but sometimes
cameras lose their settings over time. Use
the menu button to navigate through the settings.
 (most likely the settings are fine. You can go ahead and proceed with a transfer
and review this section only if necessary)

Step 10. Put 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.

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.

Do not use FilmGuard on these units.


Step 11. Remove side cover by squeezing the top
and bottom of the panel and gently pulling loose.
Blow out film channel on inside of cover.

Step 12. Blow out film gate.


Step 13. Cut tip of film leader in a curve.

Step 14. Step to right of unit and use
your left hand to push film into the gate.
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.

Step 15. 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.

Step 16. Close gate by turning knob to "project".


Step 17. Seat the film in the gate by turning
the motor switch on then off one time briefly.
 


At this point, you need to launch the Velocity
software and verify that you have an image on the
computer monitor. The image will most likely
be out of focus and off centered. This is normal.
If you do not see an image, make sure that your
Canopus box is set to "analog" input
and that all settings on the bottom of the Canopus
box are set for NTSC video, even if you intend
to output PAL for your final video files.

Make sure that your Velocity settings are adjusted
according to the drive you wish to capture to and
the drive you wish to process the files to.
Make sure that you have chosen the Mainconcept codec
in the dropdown menu of the settings tab for best results.

For Velocity instructions, click HERE.


Step 18. Watch the Velocity monitor and adjust the
camera side to side using the knob as shown.

Step 19. Focus the camera using the knob at the rear.

Use the sliders to adjust red, green and blue
of the picture as desired.
"M" is the panel mounted master control for the LED.

Radical changes in exposure will require retuning
of the RGB color balance.
It is best to set the exposure and then the color
for any given section of film.

For remote operation, plug in the remote and
switch to "LED-Remote".
Adjust the knob until you see the exposure you desire.


Step 20. Turn the sync on and leave it on.
The sync can be turned off during transfer momentarily
if there are parts of a reel that you want to skip.
Anywhere in the reel that the sync is turned off
will be left out of the final file.

Step 21. Start your transfer by turning on the motor first.
You should hear a repeating pulse from your computer speakers.
Then click the start button on the Velocity software.
Stop your transfer by clicking the stop button on Velocity
followed by turning off the motor button.
It is best to do it in this order each time.

After transfer, process your file(s) using Velocity and
inspect the transfer to make sure that the image
is clear and free of artifacts such as pulldown blur
and that the image is sharp and level.

For Velocity instructions, click HERE.


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 seperate crank winders.

For regular 8mm film, 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.

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