Test films are tools for calibrating, aligning, and checking film projectors and their components. Issues that can be diagnosed and corrected with the guidance of test films include ghosting, focus, framing, and pedestal adjustments. They are sometimes used in conjunction with test equipment.
The term generally refers to films made by technical bodies like SMPTE or by manufacturers like Schneider Optics specifically for test purposes.
The term may also be used for any piece of footage used to test a projector, such as a fresh trailer used to conduct a scratch test.
Common types of test film
- SMPTE RP-40
- SMPTE RP-91
- sound test films
Sources of test film
Other Resources
External Links
- Tumblr page on test film history