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The Vietnam Center and Archive

The Vietnam Center and Archive. Stephen Maxner, Ph.D. Director Steve.maxner@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 Digitization

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The Vietnam Center and Archive

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  1. The Vietnam Center and Archive Stephen Maxner, Ph.D. Director Steve.maxner@ttu.edu

  2. SARBICA EXECUTIVE MEETING & SEMINAR “Experiences in Digital Conversion of Analog Sound and Moving Image Materials for Preservation and Access” October 1, 2009

  3. Audio Recording Digitization • Conservation and Access • Equipment and Software • Best Practices and Procedures • Pre and Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, and Abstracting • Film and Video Digitization • Conservation and Access • Equipment and Software • Best Practices and Procedures • Pre and Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, and Abstracting Presentation Outline

  4. Various Recording Formats • Vinyl-Acetate discs (LPs etc.) • Magnetic tape (Reel-To-Reel) • Magnetic tape (Cassette) Digitization of Audio Records

  5. Conservation, Preservation, and Access • 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

  6. Equipment used for Digitizing Magnetic Tape • OTARI Digital Archiving System (DAS) • Dual Deck Cassette Player • OTARI MTR-15-DAS2 Reel-to-Reel Magnetic Tape Player • Both players feed into an OTARI DAS-ADC (Audio Digital Conversion) system which stores digital recordings on a network or local hard drives • Digitizes at 2-4x the speed of the original recording (i.e. a one hour recording is digitized in 15-30 minutes)

  7. Audio Otari Reel-to-Reel and Cassette Tape Digitization Workstation

  8. Software • Adobe Audition:Recording, editing, noise reduction, file conversion, etc…

  9. Best Practices and Procedures • 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

  10. 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)

  11. 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

  12. Post-Digital Processing and Metadata • Donor information, dates, tape data, keywords and search terms (e.g. proper names, dates, significant events or subjects, etc…) • Create abstract description • Archive storage of original tape (cold storage but not freezing) • Archive storage of Preservation Digital (archival CD in cold storage) and access copy on CD

  13. Digitizing Film • Conservation and Access • Equipment and Software • Best Practices and Procedures • Post-Digital Processing, Metadata, and Abstracting

  14. Conservation, Preservation, and Access • 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

  15. Special Conservation/ Preservation Issues • Film (8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm) • Vinegar Syndrome • Deteriorating film off-gases pungent odor indicating the chemical breakdown of the film. This condition can not be reversed but the chemical reaction can be slowed through deep cold (freezer) storage. • Aging film becomes brittle over time making sprocket hole damage more likely as film is played

  16. Special Conservation/ Preservation Issues • Video Tape (½ and 1 Inch Reel, ¾ Inch Tape, VHS) • All magnetic tape becomes scratched over time as it passes over player heads reducing playback quality • Tape is magnetic making it susceptible to electromagnetic damage • Cheaper tape can flay over time resulting in the separation of the magnetic coating from the plastic tape

  17. Computer Workstations • Analog-Digital Video Interface • Film Systems • Video Tape Systems • Special Equipment • Special Software Equipment and Software

  18. Working with Digital Video Files requires faster systems than typical desktop • Dell Precision Workstations • Multiple processors (at least dual – quad is better) • Maxed out Operating RAM (4 GB optimal) • Multiple large hard drives in RAID configuration • High quality video card with large amount of Video RAM (1 GB preferred) Digital Workstations

  19. Pinnacle Studio • “Breakout Box” with analog and digital connections to include 1394 (fire wire), RCA, S-Video, etc… • Excellent capture and editing software • Allows for limited color correction, grayscale production (for damaged color film), DVD production, etc… Analog to Digital Video Interface

  20. Elmo Film Systems • 8mm • Super 8mm • 16mm • Analog and S-Video Connections • Tape Video playback systems (VHS, ½, ¾, and 1 inch Sony, Beta, Beta SP, etc…) Film Playback Systems

  21. Moving Images 16mm and 8mm direct to digital film conversion systems

  22. Video Tape Playback Systems • Sony Reel-to-Reel Systems (½ and 1 Inch Tape) • Sony ¾ Inch Player/Recorder • VHS Player/Recorder • Sony Beta SP Player/Recorder • Sony DV and Mini DV Tape Player/Recorder

  23. Other Special Equipment • Film and Video Cleaning Kit • Solvent and swabs for cleaning gates and heads • Cans of compressed air • Film Splicing Kit • Splicer • Leader Tape • Film Tape

  24. Video Encoding Software for Online Access • Windows Media Encoder • Converts AVI to Streaming WMV with Batch Process • Free with unlimited user access • Disadvantage: Limited control over Digital Rights Management Special Software

  25. Best Practices and Procedures • Conservation/Preservation Assessment • For Film • Check for brittleness, broken sprocket holes, etc… • Check equipment for proper operation and cleanliness (film feeder, film gate, etc…) • For Video Tape • Check for flaying and tape gate for proper function • Check equipment, clean tape heads, etc…

  26. Best Practices and Procedures • Digital File Creation • Use highest quality input for video (S-Video v. RCA) • Playback at highest quality setting (28-30 FPS) • Create uncompressed AVI file for Digital Preservation • Create high quality DVD playback copy for onsite patron access (MPEG-4) • Create streaming video files in multiple size ranges for online patron access (128-512 kbps)

  27. Develop Metadata plan to ensure consistency • Physical Material Description • Collection information • Media format • Length of play • Condition of material • Other information • Content Description • Description of film and video content • Develop subject terms and keywords Metadata Collection

  28. Post-Digital Considerations • Long term preservation of Film and Video Tape • Most important factor – stable and consistent temperature and humidity • Best situation for film: Freezer storage as this will slow any chemical reactions and breakdown of film • Best situation for video tape: Refrigerated cold storage as this will create optimal conditions without damaging tape

  29. Post-Digital Considerations • Create preservation backup and physical access copies • Digital file storage still an “unknown” in archives and is not for preservation – it is for wider access • Depending on previous storage conditions, film can be and video tape is unstable archival media • Film machines and older tape players are becoming antiquated and difficult to find or are very expensive • More modern tape formats (Beta SP, DV, etc…) are excellent migration media to ensure long term access and preservation • It is easy to create high quality new tape copies while transferring older media into digital formats

  30. Thank you very much! Stephen Maxner, Ph.D. Director Steve.maxner@ttu.edu

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