Interchangeability between Film and Tape for Worldwide Distribution

The continuing debate about the relationship between film and videotape is taken one step further, discussing the future of the motion picture laboratory and its adoption of and adaptation to electronic image generation technologies. The traditional advantages of film for television use are briefly mentioned. Electronic developments such as mobile video pick-up, videotape editing equipment, standards conversion devices, and electronically generated video effects now compete efficiently with the parallel film techniques — but at higher equipment cost. The program makers' needs may now call frequently for combinations of film and tape technologies, and often splendid results are obtained by such combinations in multiple configurations. New film-to-video and tape-to-film transfer technologies are discussed and illustrated. They offer many advantages and technical possibilities that did not exist only a few years ago. The conclusion is reached that “the fusion of film with electronics can be of benefit to everyone,” and that “the modern film laboratory must not only be equipped to provide the new electronic services needed, but must always be ready with expert advice and know-how.”.

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

1981-03

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J01485