16mm film digitisation
We digitise 16mm film with frame-by-frame scanning, up to 4K, in our lab in Barcelona: home movies, documentaries, television and archive film. Priced by running time, not by length: up to 30 minutes, €140 VAT included. We deliver as MP4, ProRes or DPX and collect anywhere in Spain.
Which 16mm do you have
- Silent 16mm
- Perforations on both sides of the image. Advanced amateur and home movies.
- 16mm with sound
- Perforations on one side only and an optical or magnetic soundtrack on the other. Common in documentaries, television and educational film. Ask us before sending it.
- Colour or black and white
- We scan both. If the colour has faded towards red, it can be recovered scene by scene with optional restoration.
16mm cans usually have the format written on them. If not, send us a photo and we will tell you.
How we do it
- 1
Every reel inspected
Before scanning we check the film: splices, perforations, whether it is dry or smells of vinegar. If we see a problem, we tell you before touching it.
- 2
Frame-by-frame scanning
Each frame is captured separately on a dedicated scanner, with no projector: more detail, better colour and no flicker.
- 3
HD, 2K or 4K
Depending on the format and the film's condition, to bring out all the detail stored in the emulsion.
- 4
Optional restoration
Dust and blemish removal that respects the grain, scene-by-scene colour, stabilisation and Full HD with artificial intelligence.
- 5
Delivery
By secure download or on a new hard drive or USB stick, in the format you prefer.
- 6
Your reels returned
Your films come back exactly as they arrived, on their reel and in their box.
Delivery formats
High-quality MP4 (H.264 or H.265) to watch on TV or your phone, and MOV, AVI, ProRes or DPX for editing, restoration or archiving. We do not deliver on DVD, as DVD does not support high definition.
Price
By running time, not by length, VAT included: up to 30 minutes €140, up to 60 min €235, up to 120 min €410; over 120 minutes, €3.40 per minute from the first minute. A 30-metre (100-foot) reel runs for about 2 minutes 45 seconds at 24 frames per second.
Who it is for
Families
16mm home movies, with more detail than Super 8, on your TV or phone.
Archives, film libraries and universities
Complete collections in 2K or 4K, with a tailored quote.
Production companies and documentary makers
Archive footage in ProRes or DPX, ready to edit.
The same lab that works for
- Filmoteca de Catalunyafilm heritage preservation
- National Library of Cataloniaarchive collections
- CSICinstitutional projects
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to digitise a 16mm film?
Priced by running time, not by length: up to 30 minutes €140 VAT included, up to 60 min €235 and up to 120 min €410. Over 120 minutes, €3.40 per minute.
What resolution do you get from 16mm?
Up to true 4K: 16mm holds much more detail than Super 8. We scan frame by frame in HD, 2K or 4K, depending on the film's condition.
Do you digitise 16mm with sound?
Yes. If your film has an optical or magnetic soundtrack, ask us before sending it.
What about 35mm?
We digitise it too, quoted separately depending on footage and condition.
Do you work with archives and institutions?
Yes, with the Filmoteca de Catalunya, the National Library of Catalonia and other institutions. For complete collections we prepare a tailored quote.
I don't live in Barcelona. How do I send them?
We collect and return to your door with NACEX across mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, €10 each way. You can also bring them to our lab at Av. República Argentina 38, Barcelona.
Your films, in good hands
Send us a photo of your reels on WhatsApp and we will tell you the format, the approximate running time and the price.