Tobin TVT-D8C, TVT-S8C Operating Instructions Manual

Operating Instructions for models with Videology camera:

TVT-D8C, TVT-S8C Tobin Video Transfer

Dual-8 or Super-8 “My Own Telecine”

Basic Operation

Connection. The telecine does not have a power switch. The 3-wire plug goes into line
(mains) voltage of 100 to 240 volts AC, 50 or 60 Hz. The third grounding pin is for electrical
safety, and to minimize any electrical interference that could be generated or received by the
TVT. The video output is through a 4-pin MiniDIN Y/C S-video socket on the rear of the
camera housing. This connects to the DVD, Mini-DV or S-VHS recorder or computer of your
choice. Note that unlike competing units no computer is required. The recorder output should
connect to an underscanned video monitor. See below for an explanation.
Before Threading. Note: The operating controls are shown on Page 8. Check that there
are no hairs or lint visible in the picture on the underscanned video monitor. If there are any,
swing open the film gate and brush or blow out the hairs.
Film Format. Check that the film format is correct for the present TVT machine setup:

Super-8

Regular-8

below. Besides the basic Claw setting there are optical adjustments needed.
Video Standard. There are no “NTSC” or “PAL” designations on the TVT, the video
type can be inferred from the type of power (mains) plug. NTSC is used in North America, PAL
is used in Europe. Units shipped to North America with a USA power cord will be NTSC, and
units shipped to Europe with the European power cord will be for PAL, unless otherwise
specified when ordering.
Threading. Place the full reel of film on the right-hand “Supply Reel” spindle,
matching up a slot in the reel hub with a key in the reel spindle. If the reel is correctly prepared,
the perforations (sprocket holes) in the film will be towards you, with the emulsion side (the
side with the picture) facing to the right, while the film is hanging down from the right-hand
side of the reel. There should be about 4 feet (1.25m) of leader before the first picture. If any of
this is not the case, return the film reel to the preparation department for correction.
Threading the TVT-D8C. The TVT-D8C requires film reels that are not unbalanced,
and that are not bent and pinching the film edges.
The TVT-D8C has easy partly manual threading. This sprocketless design prevents the

•

The TVT-S8C is only for Super-8 silent

film. It will not accept Regular 8.

• Your TVT-D8C is set for Super-8 film
when the Claw lever is in the Super-8 (upper)
position and the 1/2" (12.7mm) supply reel spindle
adapter is installed.

• Your TVT-D8C is set for Regular 8mm
film when the Claw lever is in the Regular-8
(lower) position and the 5/16" (8mm) supply reel
spindle is uncovered.
The film will not advance through the gate
if the Claw setting is wrong. If the setup is wrong,
change to the other TVT-D8C setup as explained

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film damage that could otherwise occur if a bad
splice sticks in the film gate and film sprockets
continue to drag the film through. Threading is

Magnification

Adjust Knob

done as follows.
Lift up the Rewind lever to minimize
drag on the running film. Swing open the lens
holder to reveal the film gate. Pull about 10
inches (1/4 meter) of leader past the film gate
area and insert it into the film gate. Route the
film around the three upper sprung rollers as
shown. Place the beginning of the leader just
below the second sprung edge guide, and make
sure it is in the proper channel. Close the film

Second

Sprung

Guide

gate. (Note: a rubber feed roller, if present, is not
used and can be disregarded.)
Threading the TVT-S8C. Push and hold down the clear plastic Autoload film guide,
run Forward, and insert the beginning of the film leader into the slot. Keep holding the guide
until the film emerges from the bottom sprocket. At this time you can release the guide.
Finishing the threading on both: Run the TVT in Forward, and it will automatically
go the rest of the way towards the take-up reel. Attach the beginning of the leader to the take-up
reel, turning the reel clockwise a couple of turns. It may attach automatically if using the correct
type of original reel, if one is available.
Preview the film. It should be right way up (people’s heads and the sky at the top). The
frameline (the dividing line between pictures on the film) should not be visible; if it is, adjust
the Framer knob until it is not seen. The film must be running to make the adjustment on the
TVT-S8C. The film can be stationary to make the adjustment on the TVT-D8C, but make sure
the film has not stopped in the middle of a pull-down cycle to the next frame. After previewing,
back up the film to before the first picture.
Recording. Start the video recorder. Switch the TVT to “Forward” and you will be
recording the film on video. Exposure errors in the film can be compensated with the Exposure
knob on the front of the TVT. See the note below about the Bias Light knob.
The film should be inspected, repaired, cleaned and lubricated before it comes to you for
transfer. A bad splice or multiple damaged perforations can cause the film to stick in the film
gate. On the TVT-D8C it may free itself momentarily, or you may have to help the film through
by pulling on it at the take-up reel. On the TVT-S8C it may lose the loops and give a blurred
picture. Pushing down briefly on the Autoload film guide may reset the loops. In a severe case,
you might have to stop for a second and rotate the knobs on the end of the sprockets to adjust
the loops so they are not hitting the plastic guides. You will hear a ratcheting noise when
turning the stiff sprocket knobs, this is normal and not harmful.
At the end of the film, switch to “Stop” and stop the recorder. Raise the take-up reel
arm. Attach the end of the film straight across to the supply reel, without going through the
rollers and gate, and turn the reel a couple of turns counter-clockwise. Switch to Reverse and on
the TVT-D8C engage the Rewind lever. When the film is fully rewound turn the switch “Off”
immediately. Do not stick your finger into the reel spokes or grab the edge of a plastic reel
while it is spinning, as this may cause injury. Remove the supply reel after it stops, lower the
take-up reel arm to normal, and you are now ready to transfer the next reel.

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TVT-D8C Film Format Changeover

Claw Change: Move the Claw lever all the way up to Super-8 to center it for super-8 film.

Move the claw lever all the way down to Regular-8 to center it for regular-8 film.

Feed Reel Spindle Change: the Super-8 reel spindle adapter slides on and off. S8 film uses the
1/2" (12.7mm) spindle and R8 film reels have the 5/16" (8mm) size hole. (The “wrong” spindle
can be installed to suit film that is wound on the wrong type non-standard reel.) If available, an
original black plastic spindle adapter will be provided. If not available, an alternative adapter
will be furnished and this may require a rubber reel retainer to prevent the reel from falling off.

Coarse Framing Lock

Bias Light

Camera

Magnification Adjust Knob

Bias Light Reflector

Coarse Framing Lock

Camera Programming Port

Focus Lock
Centering

Lock
Left Focus

Slide Lock
Focus Lock
Right Focus

Slide Lock
Handle

Magnification Change: The effects of this and the following adjustments should be judged on
your underscanned monitor. The lens can be removed by fully unscrewing the Magnification
adjusting knob. An internal spring presses the lens against the adjustment. For Super-8 film, the
end of the lens with the retaining ring should face the film. For regular-8 film, the end of the
lens with the retaining ring should face the camera. For Super-8, adjust the Magnification screw
so the right end of the lens is protruding from the lens holder by about .2 inches or about 5mm.
For regular 8, reverse the lens end for end so the retaining ring is on the left, and slide the lens
so the right end extends only about .12 inches or about 3mm past the right side of the lens
holder. (When adjusting the TVT-D8C to match the aperture of a particular film camera, this
setting can be modified. Moving the lens to the left will further magnify the film (zoom in);
moving it right will reduce the size (zoom out). If you “zoom in” too much you will cut off
people’s heads and feet more often. If you “zoom out” too much you will have to change the
Framing Adjustment more frequently while working, and you are more likely to see and deal
with hairs and dirt around the edges of the camera’s filming aperture.)

Note: the following steps use the 7/64" Allen hex driver, with camera cover removed, and you
can best see what is happening if the room lights are very dim.
Centering Change: Run the film to be copied to a few feet past the end of the head leader. Pick
a spot with lots of fine detail or that is grainy, for easier focusing (below). If the film frame is in

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