IASA-TC 06 Guidelines for the Preservation of Video Recordings

Archives hold original video recordings in a range of types, from media-dependent, carrier-based analogue videotapes to computer-file-based digital recordings.  The appropriate preservation treatments for this array reflect the variation in the source recordings.  For analogue videotapes, for example, digitisation is called for.  Meanwhile, examples of digital file-based recording may require rewrapping into a fresh file "wrapper" or a combination of digital transcoding and rewrapping.

IASA-TC 06When complete, IASA-TC 06 will cover the full range of topics in the preceding paragraph, as well as providing advice on shooting ethnographic, documentary, and oral history video footage in a manner that maximizes its "preserve-ability".

IASA-TC 06 is being disseminated in two editions:

Edition I: preservation of video recordings on conventional carriers. For the most part, this means the digitization of analogue videotapes, but it also encompasses the transfer of content from some types of digital videotapes. 2018: disseminated for comment; 2019: revised version.

Edition II: preservation of digital-file-based video formats and digital recordings on videotape. Additional information will guide the production of new recordings in preservable formats. Work in progress.

Comments are always welcome. Send messages to the chair of the IASA Technical Committee: Lars Gaustad, lars.gaustad@nb.no


General table of contents

IASA-TC 06 is disseminated in six separate PDF files:

Part Download
A. Front Matter, Introduction
 -   Front matter
A.1 Introduction
IASA-TC_06-A_v2019.pdf
B. Video Signal, Preservation Concepts, and Target Formats
B.1 The Video Signal and Bitstreams: Format and Features
B.2 Preservable Objects and the Selection of Formats for Preservation
B.3 Target Formats for Video Recordings to be Digitised "as Video" in Real Time
IASA-TC_06-B_v2019.pdf
B-App. Appendixes to section B.3
B.3 Appendix part 1. Summary Target Format Comparison Table (typing paper sheets)
B.3 Appendix part 2. Full Detail Target Format Comparison Table (large sheet version)
•    Footnotes to the Full Detail Target Format Comparison Table (typing paper sheets)
B.3 Appendix part 3. Full Detail Target Format Comparison Table (subdivided version, typing paper sheets)
IASA-TC_06-B-app_v2019.pdf
C. Video Carriers and Signal Extraction (Replay/Playback)
C.1 Introduction to Carriers: Assessment, Preparation, and Cleaning
C.2 Quadruplex 2-inch Reels
C.3 EIAJ and Sony CV ½-inch Open Reel Videotapes
C.4 1-inch Helical-Scan Open Reel Videotapes (types A, B, C)
C.5 U-matic ¾-inch Videocassettes
C.6 ½-inch Analogue Consumer and Semi-Professional Videocassettes
C.7 Betacam ½-inch Professional Videocassette Family
IASA-TC_06-C_v2019.pdf
D. Planning, Setup, and Workflows for Video Digitisation
D.1 Planning, Setup, and Workflows for Video Digitisation
IASA-TC_06-D_v2019.pdf
E. Bibliography
E.1 General Bibliography of Works Cited and Selected Additional Works
E.2 Selected Glossaries
E.3 Wikipedia Articles
IASA-TC_06-E_v2019.pdf