Racheli Cooper, Chief Editor.
⏳ Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick? The best toothbrush sanitizer for most people is DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker.
Introduction to our Guide to the Best 8mm Film Scanners
With the advent of videocassettes in the 1980s, laser discs and more compact VCDs and DVDs in the 1990s, and the coming of streaming media services, the use of 8mm film cameras and the 8mm format itself have both gone the way of the dinosaur.
So what happens to those who still have 8mm reels in their possession? Will these be left to molder in basements and attics, the footage captured on them lost for good? Of course not! That’s why we encourage you to buckle up and get ready for our review of the best 8mm film scanners.
Our List of the Best 8mm Film Scanners
- DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker Film Scanner Converter – overall best 8mm film scanner (editor's choice! 🏆)
- DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital Film Scanner – best value for money
Comparison Between Our Top Two Picks
| Feature | 🏆 DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker (Editor's Choice!) | DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital Film Scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Film to digital conversion device | Film to digital conversion device |
| Price | Check Current Pricing | Check Current Pricing |
| Produced By | DigitNow | DigitNow |
| Customer User Reviews | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Key Features | Automatic and manual exposure control (-2.0 EV ~ + 2.0 EV); 1440 x 1080 maximum image resolution; 3.53MP scan quality; Video recording as primary scanning method; 30 frames scanning speed; 32GB SD card for storage | Automatic and manual exposure control (-2.0 EV ~ + 2.0 EV) 1080-pixel maximum resolution 20 frames scanning speed3.5MP scan quality; Video recording as primary scanning method; No built-in memory; External storage needs to be purchased separately |
| Customer Service Contact | Online chat and email only | Online chat and email only |
1. DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker with 32GB SD Card (Editor's Pick!)
Best Overall 8mm Film Scanner
Key Features
- Automatic and manual exposure control (-2.0 EV ~ + 2.0 EV);
- 1440 x 1080 maximum image resolution;
- 3.53MP scan quality;
- Video recording as primary scanning method;
- 30 frames scanning speed;
- 32GB SD card for storage included in all purchases
The thing that sets the MovieMaker apart from the competition is that it already comes with a memory card with which to store your output. All you actually need to do is insert the card into its designated slot, switch on a few buttons, and it starts scanning your film frame by frame into a digital file.
The beauty of this device also lies in the way it doesn't require any additional editing software. As it works like a projector, you can already see the areas for editing and work on them directly with the device, adjusting aspects like exposure and framing.
However, we do take issue with the size of the viewing screen as it is quite small and will prevent you from seeing finer details. That said, you will need to connect the converter to a television or computer screen to properly see what you’re working with.
Pricing
You can click this link to check out the Digitnow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker professional 8mm film scanner pricing.
Money-back guarantee
This professional 8mm film scanner offers a reasonable 30-day upon receipt of shipment return or refund policy.
Where to buy it
The product is exclusively available through its official product page on the DigitNow website.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
2. DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital Film Scanner
Best Value for Money
Key Features
- Automatic and manual exposure control (-2.0 EV ~ + 2.0 EV)
- 1080-pixel maximum resolution
- 20 frames scanning speed
- 3.5MP scan quality;
- Video recording as primary scanning method
How to scan 8mm film with this professional 8mm film scanner? With regard to this particular film scanner (which is also from DigitNow), this offers pretty much the same level of functionality as the MovieMaker with one key difference: it doesn’t come with its own storage card. You’re going to have to purchase one separately – and you will need one as this doesn’t have any internal storage built in.
Despite these setbacks, however, this film scanner enables you to review and edit footage on the fly in order to preserve precious memories and even clean up any footage that has been hit by the ravages of time, wear, and tear.
Pricing
You can check out the Digitnow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital Film Scanner pricing.
Money-back guarantee
This professional 8mm film scanner offers a reasonable 30-day upon receipt of shipment return or refund policy.
Where to buy it
The product is exclusively available through its official product page on the DigitNow website.
Other Stores
Best to avoid reseller sites like that of Amazon, Facebook Marketplace and eBay for possible fake products and refund policy issues.
What are the Benefits of Having an 8mm Film Scanner on Hand?
If filmmaking is your passion or you have a sizable number of home movies shot on either 8mm or Super 8 film, having a professional 8mm film scanner in your home is a great way by which you can preserve your memories.
Especially for those who need to get rid of physical tapes or reels in order to free up storage space, converting footage from outdated film formats to more au courant digital formats like .MP4 and .mov will enable you to keep whatever events you’ve shot on camera through files you can easily keep in your computer, an external hard drive, or even a cloud account.
Also, especially for those who have no access to old-school projectors, using a film scanner to convert your old movies enables you to put them into a format you can easily view on your computer, mobile device, or even a smart TV hooked directly to the scanner.
How We Chose Our Best 8mm Film Scanners
We took the following factors into consideration when we made our selection of the best 8mm film scanner:
- Ease of use, especially for those with little to no experience with regard to video editing software;
- Cost – they may be expensive, but if you have a number of film reels that need converting or if you’re thinking of getting into filmmaking, you may consider a film scanner a good investment; and
- Overall quality of output.
Is There an Alternative to the Best 8mm Film Scanner?
Admittedly, not all of us have the technical or the creative chops with regard to using a film scanner or similar devices; also, not everyone has the time to do conversions themselves. But if you want to save footage from old home movies, we recommend a service like iMemories to help you out.
Ranked as one of the best media conversion service providers currently online, iMemories enables you to do more than just film conversion, but also photo scanning and converting video cassette recordings into playable digital files.
Conclusion to our Guide on the Best 8mm Film Scanners
While both of DigitNow’s film scanners offer an excellent way to convert old films into more accessible digital files, we recommend shopping around to see what other solutions would suit your specific requirements. That said, we highly recommend the DigitNow 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker with 32GB SD Card.
Please note that, in the interest of getting legitimate products, we recommend that you reach out to the best 8mm film scanners through their official websites. You may also get great discounts for multiple purchases. Beware of purchasing from marketplace sites claiming to be resellers so to avoid issues with refunds and returns in the future!
FAQ
Do either of these devices support audio remastering?
No, both of these devices only work on video scanning and not audio conversion or remastering.
I am all thumbs when it comes to technology; isn’t there a service available for converting my films?
Yes, that’s why we recommended iMemories as an alternative to getting your own film scanner. It may come out more expensive, but you know your materials are in the hands of imaging experts who know exactly what they’re doing.
If you've read all the way through this best 8mm film scanner reviews, we are grateful. Feel free to read our other reviews and comparisons as well as in-depth articles of products featured here;
Saundra Norton is a freelance tech writer and Gadget Reviewer at Pixoneye.com, the leading destination for customer ratings and reviews of consumer products. With over 9 years of experience in the tech industry, Saundra is a skilled writer and reviewer who is passionate about exploring new gadgets and emerging technologies. She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, where she earned a degree in Computer Science and developed a deep understanding of the digital landscape.
As a freelance tech writer and Gadget Reviewer, Saundra is responsible for researching and reviewing the latest consumer products to provide readers with insightful and helpful content. She is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends in tech and is passionate about helping consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Saundra is also an avid traveler and coffee connoisseur, with a dream of visiting the Arctic someday. Join our community today and discover the best consumer products with Pixoneye.com.
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