sio av archiving presentation introduction to the practices and principles of audio-visual archiving...

SIO AV Archiving Presentation

Introduction to the Introduction to the Practices and Practices and

Principles of Audio-Principles of Audio-Visual ArchivingVisual Archiving

International Council on Archives, International Council on Archives, Section of International OrganisationsSection of International Organisations

Nairobi, Kenya Nairobi, Kenya 25 October, 200725 October, 2007

Martha Hunt, Audio-Visual ArchivistMartha Hunt, Audio-Visual ArchivistUnited Nations International Criminal Tribunal United Nations International Criminal Tribunal

for Rwanda for Rwanda


What are Audio-Visual What are Audio-Visual Records?Records?

Audio – something that is heardAudio – something that is heard Visual – something that is seenVisual – something that is seen

An object that:An object that: stores sight and sound stores sight and sound reproduces sight and soundreproduces sight and sound


History of Audio RecordingHistory of Audio Recording

Tin-foil “phonograph” Tin-foil “phonograph” Wax cylinderWax cylinder Pressed disks (LPs)Pressed disks (LPs) Magnetic tape (various formats)Magnetic tape (various formats) Cassette tapesCassette tapes CDCD Digital audio filesDigital audio files


Henry Fox Henry Fox TalbotTalbot

Louis DaguerreLouis Daguerre


Edward MuybridgeEdward Muybridge


Nitrate FilmNitrate Film

FlammableFlammable

Destroyed by Destroyed by studios when no studios when no longer financially longer financially valuablevaluable

Nitrate Nitrate deteriorationdeterioration


The British Film InstituteThe British Film Institute

Established to “encourage the Established to “encourage the development of the art of the development of the art of the film, to promote its use as a film, to promote its use as a

record of contemporary life and record of contemporary life and manners, and to foster public manners, and to foster public

appreciation and study of it from appreciation and study of it from these points of viewthese points of view.”.”


Cinematheque FrancaisesCinematheque Francaises

The first national cinematheque, The first national cinematheque, and model for numerous and model for numerous institutions world-wide.institutions world-wide.

Focused on the public screenings Focused on the public screenings and museum exhibits. and museum exhibits.


Acetate FilmAcetate Film

Non-flammable “safety” filmNon-flammable “safety” film 35mm35mm 16mm16mm 8mm8mm

affordable for amateur useaffordable for amateur use


VideoVideo

Television Television Broadcasting only, not recordableBroadcasting only, not recordable

Magnetic tape used for recording Magnetic tape used for recording imageimage

First videos too large for consumer First videos too large for consumer useuse

Various formats developedVarious formats developed Professional qualityProfessional quality Consumer quality (VHS)Consumer quality (VHS)


DVD and Digital FilesDVD and Digital Files

DVDDVD Same shape and Same shape and

physical make-up physical make-up as CDsas CDs

Capable of storing Capable of storing large amounts of large amounts of informationinformation

Image quality Image quality superior to VHSsuperior to VHS

Digital Video FilesDigital Video Files No longer a No longer a

physical objectphysical object Storage space Storage space

costlycostly Will become more Will become more

common in the near common in the near futurefuture


Goals of Audio-Visual Goals of Audio-Visual ArchivingArchiving

PreservationPreservation

Public AccessibilityPublic Accessibility


Problems with filmProblems with film

Nitrate deteriorationNitrate deterioration Acetate deterioration (vinegar Acetate deterioration (vinegar

syndrome)syndrome) Black and white fadingBlack and white fading Color fadingColor fading Physical damage to prints Physical damage to prints


Problems with videoProblems with video

Drop-outsDrop-outs Damage in playbackDamage in playback Dust and pollutantsDust and pollutants MouldMould Binder break-down (stick-shed Binder break-down (stick-shed

syndrome)syndrome)


Problems with CDs and Problems with CDs and DVDsDVDs

ScratchesScratches Dye-fadingDye-fading No standards No standards Uncertain life expectancyUncertain life expectancy


Points to consider Points to consider regardingregarding digitisationdigitisation

PurposePurpose Enhanced public accessibilityEnhanced public accessibility PreservationPreservation

Compression schemesCompression schemes Lossy vs. loseless Lossy vs. loseless

Storage mediaStorage media LTOLTO RAIDRAID

Technological ObsolescenceTechnological Obsolescence Back-upsBack-ups Retention of original materialsRetention of original materials


Care and Handling of AV Care and Handling of AV MaterialMaterial

VideosVideos Store in a cool, dry, Store in a cool, dry,

and clean and clean environmentenvironment

RewindRewind Store in enclosed Store in enclosed

casescases Clearly label case and Clearly label case and

tapetape Store on endStore on end Limited useLimited use Metal shelvingMetal shelving

CDs and DVDsCDs and DVDs Store in a dark, Store in a dark,

clean environmentclean environment Store in casesStore in cases Only write on the Only write on the

clear hub of disc to clear hub of disc to labellabel

Store on endStore on end Limited useLimited use


Preservation of Audio-Preservation of Audio-Visual MaterialsVisual Materials

Professional formatsProfessional formats DVCAM or DigiBetaDVCAM or DigiBeta

Standardize if possibleStandardize if possible Back upsBack ups

2 copies, stored separately2 copies, stored separately Plan aheadPlan ahead


Public accessibility of an Public accessibility of an audio-visual collectionaudio-visual collection

Physical organizationPhysical organization Shelves designed for your materialShelves designed for your material

Intellectual organizationIntellectual organization Database should fit your needsDatabase should fit your needs

DigitizationDigitization Easy to reproduce and distributeEasy to reproduce and distribute

Do the best you can within your Do the best you can within your budgetbudget


Challenges of A-V archivingChallenges of A-V archiving

Instability of materialsInstability of materials

Multiple formatsMultiple formats

ExpensiveExpensive


Why keep A-V records?Why keep A-V records?

Accuracy of informationAccuracy of information

Accessible to a wider publicAccessible to a wider public

Nuance and meaningNuance and meaning


United Nations United Nations International Criminal International Criminal Tribunal for RwandaTribunal for Rwanda

sio av archiving presentation introduction to the practices and principles of audio-visual archiving...

Documents

sound slide

rwanda slide

amateur use slide

near future slide

consumer use

vhs image quality superior

recording image magnetic

vhs digital video files