the vietnam center and archive stephen maxner, ph.d. [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
The Vietnam Center and The Vietnam Center and ArchiveArchiveStephen Maxner, Ph.D.Stephen Maxner, Ph.D.DirectorDirector
[email protected]@ttu.edu
SARBICA EXECUTIVE MEETING& SEMINAR
“Experiences in Digital Conversion of Analog Sound and Moving
Image Materials for Preservation and Access”October 1, 2009
Audio Recording DigitizationAudio Recording Digitization Conservation and AccessConservation and Access Equipment and SoftwareEquipment and Software Best Practices and ProceduresBest Practices and Procedures Pre and Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, and Pre and Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, and
AbstractingAbstracting Film and Video DigitizationFilm and Video Digitization
Conservation and AccessConservation and Access Equipment and SoftwareEquipment and Software Best Practices and ProceduresBest Practices and Procedures Pre and Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, and Pre and Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, and
AbstractingAbstracting
Presentation Outline
Various Recording FormatsVarious Recording Formats Vinyl-Acetate discs (LPs etc.)Vinyl-Acetate discs (LPs etc.) Magnetic tape (Reel-To-Reel)Magnetic tape (Reel-To-Reel) Magnetic tape (Cassette)Magnetic tape (Cassette)
Digitization of Audio Records
• Digitization is important part of modern archive practice for preservation, conservation, and access of sound recordings.
• Preserves audio recordings by transferring high quality digital facsimiles to archive gold CDs and redundant electronic backup systems
• Researchers access digital copies reducing use of original recording providing better conservation and preservation
• Digital access means wider researcher use via Internet
Conservation, Preservation, and Access
OTARI Digital Archiving System (DAS)OTARI Digital Archiving System (DAS) Dual Deck Cassette PlayerDual Deck Cassette Player OTARI MTR-15-DAS2 Reel-to-Reel Magnetic Tape OTARI MTR-15-DAS2 Reel-to-Reel Magnetic Tape
PlayerPlayer Both players feed into an OTARI DAS-ADC (Audio Both players feed into an OTARI DAS-ADC (Audio
Digital Conversion) system which stores digital Digital Conversion) system which stores digital recordings on a network or local hard drivesrecordings on a network or local hard drives
Digitizes at 2-4x the speed of the original Digitizes at 2-4x the speed of the original recording (i.e. a one hour recording is digitized in recording (i.e. a one hour recording is digitized in 15-30 minutes)15-30 minutes)
Equipment used for Digitizing Magnetic Tape
AudioAudio
Otari Reel-to-Reel and Cassette Tape Digitization Workstation
Software Adobe Audition:
Recording, editing, noise reduction, file conversion, etc…
Recordings Check for conservation and preservation
issues and problems (tape separation and fraying, tape audio bleed-through, etc…)
Collect pre and post Metadata and abstract Equipment
Properly clean heads between every recording
Check for magnetized heads and de-magnetize if necessary
Best Practices and Procedures
Digital File Formats – Digital Preservation For music and complex recordings – record digital
files at 44100 Hz (ensures capture of full dynamic range of audio)
For voice only recordings it is possible to capture at 22050 Hz
Digital File Formats – User Access Convert primary .WAV to MP3 using Audition or
similar file conversion software Select optimal settings for project – should be no
lower than 128kbps files
Primary Recording as .WAV or .BWF (uncompressed)
Best Practices and Procedures
Develop Metadata Plan to ensure consistency
Check recording speeds (3.75, 7.5, 15 ips) Check recording formats (mono, stereo, 2
track, 4 track) Check storage method (tail in, tail out) Check for tape fraying, magnetic bleed-
through
Metadata Collection
Donor information, dates, tape data, Donor information, dates, tape data, keywords and search terms (e.g. proper keywords and search terms (e.g. proper names, dates, significant events or subjects, names, dates, significant events or subjects, etc…)etc…)
Create abstract descriptionCreate abstract description Archive storage of original tape (cold Archive storage of original tape (cold
storage but storage but notnot freezing) freezing) Archive storage of Preservation Digital Archive storage of Preservation Digital
(archival CD in cold storage) and access (archival CD in cold storage) and access copy on CDcopy on CD
Post-Digital Processing and Metadata
Digitizing Film
Conservation and AccessConservation and Access Equipment and SoftwareEquipment and Software Best Practices and ProceduresBest Practices and Procedures Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, Post-Digital Processing, Metadata,
and Abstractingand Abstracting
• Digitization is important part of modern archive practice for preservation, conservation, and access of film recordings.
• Preserves moving image recordings by transferring high quality digital facsimiles to archive DVDs and redundant electronic backup systems
• Researchers access digital copies reducing use of original film providing better conservation and preservation
• Digital access means wider researcher use via Internet
Conservation, Preservation, and Access
Special Conservation/Preservation Issues
Film (8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm)Film (8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm) Vinegar SyndromeVinegar Syndrome
Deteriorating film off-gases pungent odor indicating Deteriorating film off-gases pungent odor indicating the chemical breakdown of the film. This condition can the chemical breakdown of the film. This condition can not be reversed but the chemical reaction can be not be reversed but the chemical reaction can be slowed through deep cold (freezer) storage.slowed through deep cold (freezer) storage.
Aging film becomes brittle over time making Aging film becomes brittle over time making sprocket hole damage more likely as film is sprocket hole damage more likely as film is playedplayed
Video Tape (½ and 1 Inch Reel, ¾ Inch Tape, Video Tape (½ and 1 Inch Reel, ¾ Inch Tape, VHS)VHS) All magnetic tape becomes scratched over time as it All magnetic tape becomes scratched over time as it
passes over player heads reducing playback qualitypasses over player heads reducing playback quality Tape is magnetic making it susceptible to Tape is magnetic making it susceptible to
electromagnetic damageelectromagnetic damage Cheaper tape can flay over time resulting in the Cheaper tape can flay over time resulting in the
separation of the magnetic coating from the plastic separation of the magnetic coating from the plastic tape tape
Special Conservation/Preservation Issues
Equipment and Software Computer WorkstationsComputer Workstations Analog-Digital Video InterfaceAnalog-Digital Video Interface Film SystemsFilm Systems Video Tape SystemsVideo Tape Systems Special EquipmentSpecial Equipment Special SoftwareSpecial Software
Digital Workstations Working with Digital Video Files requires Working with Digital Video Files requires
faster systems than typical desktopfaster systems than typical desktop Dell Precision WorkstationsDell Precision Workstations
Multiple processors (at least dual – quad is Multiple processors (at least dual – quad is better)better)
Maxed out Operating RAM (4 GB optimal)Maxed out Operating RAM (4 GB optimal) Multiple large hard drives in RAID Multiple large hard drives in RAID
configurationconfiguration High quality video card with large amount of High quality video card with large amount of
Video RAM (1 GB preferred)Video RAM (1 GB preferred)
Analog to Digital Video Interface Pinnacle StudioPinnacle Studio
““Breakout Box” with analog and digital Breakout Box” with analog and digital connections to include 1394 (fire wire), connections to include 1394 (fire wire), RCA, S-Video, etc…RCA, S-Video, etc…
Excellent capture and editing softwareExcellent capture and editing software Allows for limited color correction, Allows for limited color correction,
grayscale production (for damaged grayscale production (for damaged color film), DVD production, etc…color film), DVD production, etc…
Film Playback Systems Elmo Film SystemsElmo Film Systems
8mm8mm Super 8mmSuper 8mm 16mm16mm Analog and S-Video ConnectionsAnalog and S-Video Connections
Tape Video playback systems (VHS, Tape Video playback systems (VHS, ½, ¾, and 1 inch Sony, Beta, Beta SP, ½, ¾, and 1 inch Sony, Beta, Beta SP, etc…)etc…)
Moving ImagesMoving Images
16mm and 8mm direct to digital film conversion systems
Video Tape Playback Systems
Sony Reel-to-Reel Systems (½ and Sony Reel-to-Reel Systems (½ and 1 Inch Tape)1 Inch Tape)
Sony ¾ Inch Player/RecorderSony ¾ Inch Player/Recorder VHS Player/RecorderVHS Player/Recorder Sony Beta SP Player/RecorderSony Beta SP Player/Recorder Sony DV and Mini DV Tape Sony DV and Mini DV Tape
Player/RecorderPlayer/Recorder
Other Special Equipment
Film and Video Cleaning KitFilm and Video Cleaning Kit Solvent and swabs for cleaning gates and Solvent and swabs for cleaning gates and
headsheads Cans of compressed airCans of compressed air
Film Splicing KitFilm Splicing Kit SplicerSplicer Leader TapeLeader Tape Film Tape Film Tape
Special Software Video Encoding Software for Online Video Encoding Software for Online
AccessAccess Windows Media EncoderWindows Media Encoder
Converts AVI to Streaming WMV with Batch Converts AVI to Streaming WMV with Batch ProcessProcess
Free with unlimited user accessFree with unlimited user access Disadvantage: Limited control over Digital Disadvantage: Limited control over Digital
Rights ManagementRights Management
Best Practices and Procedures Conservation/Preservation Conservation/Preservation
AssessmentAssessment For FilmFor Film
Check for brittleness, broken sprocket holes, Check for brittleness, broken sprocket holes, etc…etc…
Check equipment for proper operation and Check equipment for proper operation and cleanliness (film feeder, film gate, etc…)cleanliness (film feeder, film gate, etc…)
For Video TapeFor Video Tape Check for flaying and tape gate for proper Check for flaying and tape gate for proper
functionfunction Check equipment, clean tape heads, etc…Check equipment, clean tape heads, etc…
Best Practices and Procedures Digital File CreationDigital File Creation
Use highest quality input for video (S-Video v. Use highest quality input for video (S-Video v. RCA)RCA)
Playback at highest quality setting (28-30 FPS)Playback at highest quality setting (28-30 FPS) Create uncompressed AVI file for Digital Create uncompressed AVI file for Digital
PreservationPreservation Create high quality DVD playback copy for Create high quality DVD playback copy for
onsite patron access (MPEG-4)onsite patron access (MPEG-4) Create streaming video files in multiple size Create streaming video files in multiple size
ranges for online patron access (128-512 kbps)ranges for online patron access (128-512 kbps)
Metadata Collection Develop Metadata plan to ensure Develop Metadata plan to ensure
consistencyconsistency Physical Material DescriptionPhysical Material Description
Collection informationCollection information Media formatMedia format Length of playLength of play Condition of materialCondition of material Other informationOther information
Content DescriptionContent Description Description of film and video contentDescription of film and video content Develop subject terms and keywordsDevelop subject terms and keywords
Post-Digital Considerations Long term preservation of Film and Video Long term preservation of Film and Video
TapeTape Most important factor – stable and consistent Most important factor – stable and consistent
temperature and humiditytemperature and humidity Best situation for film: Freezer storage as Best situation for film: Freezer storage as
this will slow any chemical reactions and this will slow any chemical reactions and breakdown of filmbreakdown of film
Best situation for video tape: Refrigerated Best situation for video tape: Refrigerated cold storage as this will create optimal cold storage as this will create optimal conditions without damaging tapeconditions without damaging tape
Post-Digital Considerations Create preservation backup and physical access Create preservation backup and physical access
copiescopies Digital file storage still an “unknown” in archives and Digital file storage still an “unknown” in archives and
is not for preservation – it is for wider accessis not for preservation – it is for wider access Depending on previous storage conditions, film can Depending on previous storage conditions, film can
be and video tape is unstable archival mediabe and video tape is unstable archival media Film machines and older tape players are becoming Film machines and older tape players are becoming
antiquated and difficult to find or are very expensiveantiquated and difficult to find or are very expensive More modern tape formats (Beta SP, DV, etc…) are More modern tape formats (Beta SP, DV, etc…) are
excellent migration media to ensure long term access excellent migration media to ensure long term access and preservationand preservation
It is easy to create high quality new tape copies while It is easy to create high quality new tape copies while transferring older media into digital formatstransferring older media into digital formats
Thank you very much!Thank you very much!Stephen Maxner, Ph.D.Stephen Maxner, Ph.D.DirectorDirector
[email protected]@ttu.edu