The Challenges and Rewards of Open Source Video Digitization

1
The Challenges and Rewards of Open Source Video
Digitization

• Identification and Discussion of Proper Methods
  for Videotape Preservation when no Standards
  Exist
• Society of American Archivist August 11, 2012

2
Introduction

• Topics Covered
• Challenges faced by archives
• Pros / Cons of Open-Source compared to solutions
  for sale
• Formats to consider for preservation and access
• Discussion of use of formats in real-world
  applications.

3
What Will You Have in Your Archive

• Extinct formats (equipment no longer
  manufactured, hasnt been made in decades)
• 2 Quad, ½ EIAJ, ½ CV
• Endangered formats (equipment no longer
  manufactured, but can still be foundno longer in
  common use)
• 1 Type C, ¾ U-Matic, Betamax, D-1, D-2, MII
  (M2), Laser disks, Motion picture film
• Outdated formats (equipment no longer
  manufactured, but still supported/commonly used)
• Betacam, Betacam SP, VHS, S-VHS, Hi-8mm
• Current formats (equipment still manufactured)
• Digital Betacam, DV tapes (DV-Cam, DVC-Pro, Mini
  DV), HD formats

4
Challenges faced by archives

• Problems related to your physical assets
• Obsolescence of equipment
• Degradation
• Other problems
• Cant Wait and Seeor risk loss of assets
• Problems with what to create
• No set standards exist for film or video
• Preservation is contrary to access
• Cost for digitizing
• Cost for storage

5
Preparing for a transfer project

• What do I need to know?
• Type of assets (formats)
• Number of assets
• Running time of assets
• What I want to create deliverables
  (preservation, mezzanine, access)
• What will happen after the initial digitizing is
  complete
• How will files be backed up for protection

6
Decision criteria

• What are my goals
• Preservation
• Access/editing
• Does the chosen format capture all the potential
  quality of the original (audio and video)
• Is it future-proof (at least as much as it can be)

7
Comparison of different options

• Lossless
• Uncompressed (QuickTime, AVI)
• 8-bit, 72 GB per hour
• 10-bit, 100 GB per hour
• Compressed (FFV1, JPEG 2000, other)
• 8-bit, 25-30 GB per hour
• 10-bit, 45-50 GB per hour

8
Comparison of different options

• Lossy
• MPEG 2 (could range from DVD quality to 50 Mbps
  high quality)
• Not easily editable
• 3.6 GB per hour to 25 GB per hour
• DV (DV25)
• Easily editable
• 12 GB per hour
• MPEG 4
• Easily editable
• Range from very low to very high quality
  (originally designed for smart devices
• 300 MB to ???GB per hour

9
Open Source vs. Purchased

• Open Source Benefits
• Widely available
• Usually free or low cost
• Developers tend to be passionatedevelop for what
  market needs
• Should be less prone to market changes
• Tends to be more flexible with respect to users
  needs
• Open Source Disadvantages
• Often requires technical background, programmers
• Choices can be overwhelming
• Support can be difficult to obtaincan get wrong
  advice

10
Open Source vs. Purchased

• Purchased Benefits
• Financial incentive to deliver what mass audience
  wants
• May be easier to use (GUI)
• Generally, good technical support available
• Purchased Disadvantages
• Subject to Manufacturers whims (for example,
  Final Cut X)
• What is good for masses may not be what you need
• Usually not as flexible/customizable

11
What are others doing?

• Broadcasters
• Decision is usually made based on internal
  criteria
• Current/future capabilities
• Editability
• Typically MPEG 2 at 25 Mbps or DV at 25 Mbps
• Moving Image archives
• Decision is usually made based on external
  criteria
• What are others doing
• How to future-proof my collection
• Typically uncompressed or lossless compression
  but could be MPEG 2, DV,

12
Real World examples

• Uncompressed QT
• Files very large, difficult to play back on all
  but fastest computers
• 8-bit or 10-bit optionbut 10-bit requires
  special software to play back
• Widely supported / widely used
• QT container offers additional capabilities
• Uncompressed AVI
• Files very largenot as difficult to play back as
  QT.
• 8-bit or 10-bit option
• Widely supported / widely used
• AVI more limited in what container can do

13
Real World Examplescont

• FFV1
• Open-source, standardized
• Reasonable file size
• Supported on all operating systems (MAC, WIN,
  Linux) with various players
• Can be played in software
• Users (City of Vancouver, NCSU, MediaTek)
• Gaining acceptance

14
Real World Examplescont

• JPEG 2000
• Available for about 12 years
• Benefits mostly same as FFV1, but cant be played
  in software
• Few encoder manufacturers supportbut gaining
• Users (Library of Congress, Digital Cinema
  (lossy), various archives)

15
Conclusion

• Summary
• Contact
• Scene Savers424 Scott BlvdCovington, KY
  410100859-291-5100800-978-3445
• jwalko_at_scenesavers.com