Restoring Showa-era 'Records and Memories' in Highest Quality Before It's Too Late: HBC Flex Launches Full-Scale 8mm Film Digitization Service with New Equipment

HBC Flex, a comprehensive video production company celebrating its 70th anniversary (Headquarters: Sapporo, Hokkaido; Representative: Mitsuru Kodama), has been providing film digitization services using Blackmagic Design scanners since 2017.

In June 2026, the company introduced the latest film scanner, the 'Cintel Scanner G3 HDR+', making it possible to digitize 8mm film in addition to 35mm and 16mm formats.

Expert staff perform noise and color correction on the footage. For 16mm and 35mm films lying dormant in government offices, corporations, or households, the company provides digitization at price points comparable to the lowest in the country.

HBC Flex is the video production arm of HBC, a TBS-affiliated broadcaster. In addition to TV and radio programs, the company has worked on numerous construction record films for vital social infrastructure such as roads, bridges, dams, and ports. It has been involved in historical national projects, including the construction of the Seikan Tunnel.

The digitization service has received inquiries from government offices, museums, corporations, and individuals. Fueled by requests such as 'I have a few cans of old film and want to know what's on them' and 'I want to digitize a CM made decades ago to publish on our corporate site,' the company has digitized hundreds of reels to date.

The new scanner introduced in June 2026 enables scanning of 8mm (Super 8/Regular 8) film. With improved camera performance, image quality is enhanced, allowing for more vivid color reproduction. Additionally, using dedicated software for color adjustment, films shot decades ago are revived in high quality. (Note: Some films may not be scannable depending on their condition.)