Loading SILENT Super 8 or SILENT regular 8mm film.

For instructions on how to load sound film, click HERE.

NOTE: This unit will NOT transfer regular 8mm audio!
Do not attempt to load regular 8mm film into the sound head area.
Doing so will damage both the film and this unit and void your warranty.
However, regular 8 sound film can be transfered in the silent mode as picture only.

To use this unit in the silent mode, turn off the audio head switch. To save wear on the sound head motor and components, turn this switch off when not transferring sound film.

Use the sound/silent switch to choose between creating sound or silent video files.
This switch works independently of the audio head switch.
 

Make sure the take up reel and source reel slots seat fully on the small spline of each spindle.

NOTE: There is a super 8 adaptor for use with super 8 film.
To use regular 8mm reels, please remove the adaptor.
To remove, do NOT press down on the silver metal clip.
Just grab the adaptor by the black plastic and firmly,
but gently, pull.
 

Before loading film, it is always a good idea remove
the side cover and blow out the gate and film path.

To remove the side cover, unscrew the cover knob.
 

Grab the cover and top and bottom as shown then remove. Use compressed air to blow out the inside of the cover as well as the film path. Replace cover and lightly screw black retainer back into position but do not over tighten.

This is a manually loading machine. With the control knob at the stop position,
load the film as shown in the photos below.
 

Cut the end of the film to a taper as shown.
Your leader should be straight without excessive curl.


 

Insert the film and push through the unit until it appears
at the back end. If the film seems to get stuck, just bump the
motor switch to make the claw retract.

NOTE: Never load or run the unit with the side cover off.

There are small hooks on some of the take up reels. Lay the film on the reel and the hooks
will engage the sprocket holes of the film.

Turn the reel while maintaing tension on the film.

Close the gate by turning the control knob to play (or "forward" on some units).
 

Seat the film by turning the motor switch on and off briefly.

Launch the Velocity HD software and follow the instructions
for appropriate settings for your computer. Once the software
is launched, you should see an image in the capture window.
 

To adjust the vertical placement of the image, use the framer knob
as seen in the photo. This should only be adjusted
while the unit is running.

To adjust focus, use the silver focus knob on the camera.

To adjust side to side position, use the black compound knob.

To change the cropping of the image, use the zoom
control on top of the camera.

Always start the motor before starting the capture in Velocity HD.
Leave the sync switch on unless you wish to skip a section of film
while making a continuous transfer of a reel. Always stop the
Velocity HD capture before stopping the motor.

The unit's exposure can be pre-set to a desired level
by loosening the set screw and changing the pre-set knob.
Do not over-tighten the set screw.
 

In the manual mode, you can make changes using the provided remote.

NOTE: The internal default mode for the camera is always auto-exposure. Adjusting the remote will make fine adjustments in the overall brightness and contrast of the picture but the camera will still be operating in the auto mode. For greater control, you can put the camera temporarily in a manual exposure lock as follows:
 

Remove one of the screws holding the rear control guard in place and rotate the guard out of the way.
 

Gently press in on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.

This will reveal a control icon in the lower right hand corner of the camera control panel.
(For earlier HD units without this panel, look in the viewfinder of the camera)
 

Next, gently press down on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.

This will put the camera in the manual exposure mode.
 

Next, gently press up on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.

This will allow access to the camera's manual exposure settings.
 

You can then use the joy stick for a fine adjustment of the overall exposure and/or use the Pre-Set knob on the Sniper front panel or the remote for a more coarse exposure control.

To reset the camera to full auto, just turn off the power to the Sniper or to the camera and then turn back on. It will automatically reset to all auto operation. Do not attempt to use the camera controls to reset to auto. Just turn the unit off and then back on to regain auto exposure capability.

Adjusting the white balance.

There may be times that it is necessary to adjust the white balance on the camera. For regular home movies, it is best to just white balance to the empty gate of the projector.

Gently press the function button ONE TIME ONLY.
 

This will reveal camera preference icons on the left and bottom of the control panel.
 

Next, press down on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.
 

This will put the camera cursor onto the icon for manual white balance.
 

Press the joy stick to reset the white balance.
Hold for about 2 seconds and then release.
 

Press the function button ONE TIME ONLY to lock the white balance into place.
The camera will hold this white balance even after being turned off.

Transferring Color Negative

Insert some color negative into the gate and then follow the above white balance procedure.
Transfer your film in the silent mode.
Process with the "NEGATIVE" option in the settings tab.

IMPORTANT: Always reset your white balance to an empty gate after transferring color negative. Otherwise, your next home movie transfer will come out very very BLUE!!!!

Always rewind between reels and not through the machine. If you need to back the film up a bit, then just turn the knob to stop and gently turn the reels by hand. The close the gate and continue with your transfer.

If you have any questions regarding set up or operation of this unit,
please feel free to call me at 830-966-4664. We have an operator on call
24 hours a day and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Or email me at moviestuff_tek@swtexas.net.