Processing and Digitizing
Video and Film
Mark O’English: markoe@wsu.edu
Film & Video Digitization
Sustainable Heritage Network - ATALM Workshop
Palm Springs, CA. June 13, 2014
Digitization workflow:
Identification of film/video materials.
Description.
Processing.
Preservation.
Digitization.
Prioritization.
What do we WANT to digitize?
What do we NEED to digitize?
Standards.
Storage.
Sharing.
What can we share?
How and where.
Processing media collections is like processing any
other collections, where:
a) you’re not allowed to look inside the
folders, and
b) the labeling is all handwritten by unknown
parties.
Describing & processing materials:
Same basic idea as processing books, papers,
audio, etc., with two very important additional
concerns:
1. Label reliability / authority
2. Formats
Identification of Formats:
It’s not obvious!
What looks like a VHS may not be a VHS…
Videotape Identification and Assessment Guide.
Texas Commission on the Arts, 2004.
http://www.arts.texas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/video.pdf
Identification of Film Types
Yale University Library Preservation Department
https://collaborate.library.yale.edu/preservation/Public%20Documents/
Care%20and%20Handling/ID%20film%20base.pdf
Formats in Finding Aids (Guides):
1. Tells you what they are (obviously).
2. Makes processing & description of a collection
easier.
3. Helps you tell your patrons if what you have is
not what they want, what you can actually
access for them onsite, and what requires
finding an offsite viewer.
4.
Formats in Finding Aids:
1.Tells you what they are (obviously).
2.Makes processing & description of a collection
easier.
3.Helps you tell your patrons if what you have is not
what they want, what you can actually access for
them onsite, and what requires finding an offsite
viewer.
4.Helps you to prioritize reproduction and
preservation based on format “lifespans.”
Format lifespans:
Magnetic media – we’re generally told 10-30 years
Film –
-1920: Nitrate
1920-1950: “Safety” or Acetate
For both, we’re generally told 40-50 years.
1950-: Polyester (also “Safety”)
Color pre-1940 can also be prone to fading or
discoloration.
From IPI [Image Permanence Institute] Media Storage Quick Reference, 2nd Edition
Film and Video Preservation:
The Film Preservation Guide: The Basics for
Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
National Film Preservation Foundation, 2004.
http://www.filmpreservation.org/preservation-basics/the-film-preservation-guide
Washington State Film Preservation Manual.
Washington Preservation Initiative, 2003.
http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/collections/film-preservation-manual/
So, two big takeaways:
1. Storage environment is vital!
Low and regulated temperatures.
Low and regulated relative humidity.
A-D strips (Image Permanence Institute)
2. While our old 16mm films are probably more
interesting, our electronic recordings (VHS, U-matic,
DVDs, laserdiscs, whatever) are dying at a much
much faster rate.
Digitization workflow:
Identification of film/video materials.
Description.
Processing.
Preservation.
Digitization.
Prioritization.
What do we WANT to digitize?
What do we NEED to digitize?
Standards.
Storage.
Sharing.
What can we share?
How and where.
Prioritization of digitization:
Materials that need it.
They’re dying.
They’re funded.
They’re important.
Culturally important.
Possess research value.
Engaging to your community.
Materials that want it.
They’re cool!
Materials that you actually can do.
Playback device.
Intermediary
hardware &
software.
Digital recording device.
Playback device.
How to digitize an analog recording
Hardware
Cassette Deck
Computer
Analog-Digital Audio Interface
Intermediary
hardware &
software.
Digital recording device.
Just a good computer, with good processing speed,
a decent amount of RAM, and okay storage
capabilities.
“Digital recording device.”
Playback devices.
What do you need?
What do you already have?
What can you scrounge?
What is worth buying?
Why not just project it and film it?
You can, but…
Digital cameras take pictures at 30 frames per second (generally).
16mm projectors run at 24 frames per second (generally).
These need to be synched,
or you can get a strobelike effect.
Variable speed projectors.
Variable speed cameras.
Various pieces of equipment or software.
“Video Capture card” (NOT “Video Card”)
These can cost up to a couple thousand dollars, but…
Intermediary
hardware &
software.
Cheaper alternatives exist…
About $80.
Digitization workflow:
Identification of film/video materials.
Description.
Processing.
Preservation.
Digitization.
Prioritization.
What do we WANT to digitize?
What do we NEED to digitize?
Standards.
Storage.
Sharing.
What can we share?
How and where.
Standards: What does the government say?
1.
How should I evaluate the suitability of digital audio and video formats for records
that need to be retained over the long term (i.e. over multiple generations of
technology)?
When selecting a format consider the following aspects:
The format should be publicly and openly documented.
The format is non-proprietary.
The format is in widespread use.
The format is self-documenting.
The format can be opened, read, and accessed using readily-available tools.
--- NARA: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Digital Audio and Video Records
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/initiatives/dav-faq.html
Visited June 6, 2014
Standards: What does the government say?
3. When converting analog material (audio and video cassettes, record albums, reelto-reel audio and video tapes, etc.) to digital, what factors should be considered?
The successful production of high-quality digital versions of analog material is
dependent on many factors, including the quality and condition of the analog
source, equipment, and software.
2. Why isn't NARA issuing formal digital audio and digital video file format transfer
guidance at this time?
Due to the rapidly evolving nature of digital audio and video formats and the lack
of any open, national or international consensus standards for the creation and
preservation of digital audio and video, NARA can not mandate formal transfer
guidance at this time.
--- NARA: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Digital Audio and Video Records
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/initiatives/dav-faq.html
Visited June 6, 2014
Standards: What does the government say?
1.
How should I evaluate the suitability of digital audio and video formats for records
that need to be retained over the long term (i.e. over multiple generations of
technology)?
When selecting a format consider the following aspects:
The format should be publicly and openly documented.
The format is non-proprietary.
The format is in widespread use.
The format is self-documenting.
The format can be opened, read, and accessed using readily-available tools.
--- NARA: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Digital Audio and Video Records
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/initiatives/dav-faq.html
Visited June 6, 2014
The consensus at the moment seems to be…
In general:
640-720 x 360-480
lossless encoding
mpeg4
But… VHS is effectively 480 x 320,
so we have standards > original quality
By way of comparison: HDTV is 1280 x 720,
or 1920 x 1080
So, back to this guy…
640 x (360 or 480)
Exactly meets minimum standards
= a decent starter option
File Sizes
File Quality
Software
Something to
capture your
video.
WSU uses
VirtualDub –
freeware!
There are
many out
there. Most
video capture
cards come
with one –
make sure it
meets your
standards!
Software
Something to
edit your
video, and
probably
something to
convert your
video’s file
format.
Finding video editing software:
There are lots of small freeware pieces which do
a few things.
Lots of online sources… either search for video
editing software (or freeware) or look for someone
who reliably compiles lists.
If you just need one particular function,
consider looking for freeware which does just that.
Freeware is ‘free.’ You get what you pay for.
Again… make sure it meets your standards!
http://download.cnet.com/windows/video-editing-software/
Conversion Software Registry
http://isda.ncsa.uiuc.edu/NARA/csrAbout.html
Digitization workflow:
Identification of film/video materials.
Description.
Processing.
Preservation.
Digitization.
Prioritization.
What do we WANT to digitize?
What do we NEED to digitize?
Standards.
Storage.
Sharing.
What can we share?
How and where.
One 6” radius reel, containing about 5½” of 16mm film
= approx. 1100 feet of film
= approximately 30 minutes when played
= 87 gigs in AVI format
= 1.4 gigs in MPEG4 format
Storing your files:
Very similar to storing any other e-file.
Named and organized.
Storage space.
Backed up.
Just bigger files!
Sharing your files:
Semi-similar to sharing any other e-file!
Copyright / privacy / sensitive materials.
Branding / protecting.
Sharing space:
Streaming server vs. Remote hosting.
Sharing your files:
Semi-similar to sharing any other e-file!
Copyright / privacy / sensitive materials.
Branding / protecting.
Sharing space:
Streaming server vs. Remote hosting.
Outreach!
Digitization workflow:
Identification of film/video materials.
Description.
Processing.
Preservation.
Digitization.
Prioritization.
What do we WANT to digitize?
What do we NEED to digitize?
Standards.
Storage.
Sharing.
What can we share?
How and where.