Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting information recorded on film to video signal data in which the film is transported in the direction of its length between light source and scanner optics in which each film frame is scanned by lines and scan data is stored in a frame buffer. The storage operation is synchronized by frame through an electro-optical assembly which is positioned to detect passage of film sprocket apertures toward the scanning station, which apertures possess a predefined relationship to the frame edges in accordance with industry standards. A shift register delay is responsive to pulses from a film transport tachometer for selectively delaying the synchronization signal to the buffer, and thereby accommodating both separation of the synchronization optics from the scanning station and variations in film transport velocity. The frame buffer is clocked to store data by scan line through a second tachometer, which thus likewise automatically compensates for variations in film transport speed.