preservation audiovisual film motion picture training education masters degree digital copyright conservation
Video Restoration Lab, H72.3403, Fall 2007
Version 4 - Fall 2007
Alternating Mondays, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Video Preservation Lab, 665 Broadway, room 643. PLEASE NOTE: CLASS DATES ARE IRREGULAR AND ARE NOT EVERY OTHER MONDAY. PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE.
Instructor: Chris Lacinak
chris@avpreserve.com; 917-548-8632
Goals
This class will give students direct experience with the process of audio-visual reformatting for preservation and access. Addressing in-house systems and work with vendors, the class will increase knowledge in areas of archival standards, decision-making, technical requirements, preparation and workflow, and overall project management. Students will have hands-on experience with video re-formatting processes and equipment in the Video Preservation Labs at 665 Broadway and the Elmer Holmes Bobst Library.
Expectations
Each student will do a minimum of two assignments, as outlined below. Attendance at all classes is expected; more than one unexcused absence will affect grading. Grades will be based on a combination of class preparedness/participation (40%) and assignments (60%).
Texts
Required text is How Video Works by Marcus Weise and Diana Weynard, available at Shakespeare's Books on Broadway. Additional readings will be provided as handouts or are available on the web. Some texts will be ones that you have read in previous classes — please review those prior to class as a refresher.
For texts on video from the 1970s and 1980s the following books are recommended (they are out of print, although The Video Guide is online):
- Bensinger, Charles. The Video Guide. Santa Barbara, CA: Video-Info Publications. 1981. http://videopreservation.stanford.edu/vid_guide/
- Media Bus, Inc. The Spaghetti City Video Manual. New York and Washington: Praeger Publications. 1973.
Assignments
- Assignment #1
- Researching System Components (due 10/15): Each student will be assigned a device type or format. Prepare a written description that explains which brand and model number you propose for the purposes of including in a preservation reformatting system and why. Compare and discuss features to other models and explain why this component is the most appropriate for the purposes of preservation. Be prepared to give a 5 minute summary of your findings in class.
- Assignment #2
- Interviews (due 12/26): Students will work in pairs to interview a user or technician about subjects such as: the operation and quirks of a video deck or decks, the use of a device in the preservation process (i.e., an audio equalizer or timebase corrector), methods of re-formatting, or a part of the reformatting process (i.e. quality control). The goal is to increase your knowledge and to record information that will be useful to others. You must make an audio recording of your interview as well as a text transcript. Oral history guidelines should be observed and you should obtain permissions for web publishing.
General helpful resources
- Review: Bachman, Rebecca, et al. "Glossary" in Video Preservation Resources on the web site of the Bay Area Video Coalition. San Francisco: Bay Area Video Coalition. 2003. Retrieved 9/01/07 at http://www.bavc.org/preservation/dvd/resources/gloss.htm.
- Review: ScreenSound Australia. "Technical Glossary of Common Audiovisual Terms". Retrieved 09/01/07 at http://www.screensound.gov.au/preservation/audiovisual_terms/ .
- Review: Video Preservation Website. "Video Format Identification Guide" Retrieved 09/01/07 at http://videopreservation.stanford.edu/vid_id/56-70home.html
- Review: VidiPax. "Audio Format Guide". Retrieved 09/01/07 at http://www.vidipax.com/audioformatguide.php
- Review: Vidipax. "Video Format Characteristics". Retrieved 09/01/07 at http://www.vidipax.com/format.php
Classes
Class 1: September 10, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Due:
Read:
- Chapters 6 and 10 in Weise, Marcus and Diana Weyland. How Video Works: From Analog to High Definition. 2004. Burlington, MA and Oxford: Focal Press.
- Chapter 7 in Bensinger, Charles. The Video Guide, 2nd ed. 1981. Santa Barbara, CA: Video Info Publications. Retrieved 09/01/2007 at http://videopreservation.stanford.edu/vid_guide/index.html
Topics/activities:
- Introductions, syllabus review (10 min.)
- Scope of the class (10 min)
- Roles and contributions of players in the video preservation workflow; relationships with standard-setting bodies and initiatives (40 min.)
- Review of preservation reformatting for dynamic objects (10 min.)
- Overview of the MIAP lab system and how it's setup (40 min)
- Introduction to the components of a system for preservation (10 min)
- Types of media, signals, inputs, outputs and basic measurements using monitoring equipment. (15 min.)
- Preservation oriented signal types, interfaces, signal paths and flow (15 min)
- Practice routing signals and reading the signal diagrams (60 min)
- Discussion of Assignments #1 and 2 (10 min.)
Class 2: October 1, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Due:
Read:
- Martin, Jeff. "The Dawn of Tape: Transmission Device as Preservation Medium." The Moving Image. Spring 2005. p. 35-66.
- Chapters 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 & 16 in Weise, Marcus and Diana Weyland. How Video Works: From Analog to High Definition. 2004. Burlington, MA and Oxford: Focal Press.
- Chapter 2 in Bensinger, Charles. The Video Guide, 2nd ed. 1981. Santa Barbara, CA: Video Info Publications. Retrieved 09/01/2007 at http://videopreservation.stanford.edu/vid_guide/index.html
- pp. 267 – 291 in Whitaker, Jerry. Master Handbook of Video Production. 2002. McGraw Hill
Review:
- VidiPax. "Video Format Guide", Retrieved 09/04/07 at http://www.vidipax.com/formatgd/fg01.html
- VidiPax. "Video Format Characteristics", Retrieved 09/04/07 at http://www.vidipax.com/format.php
- VidiPax. "Audio Format Guide", Retrieved 09/04/07 at http://www.vidipax.com/audioformatguide.php
- "Olsen. Video Format History", Retrieved 09/04/07 at http://www.ultimatewebdesigning.com/articles/formats.html
- Morton, David. "Recording History: The History of Recording Technology" Retrieved 09/04/07 at http://www.recording-history.org
Recommended:
- Tektronix 1720/1730 manuals
- Tektronix Video Measurement: The Basics, Retrieved 9/6/07 at
- Iisakkila, Mika. "Video Recording Formats", Retrieved at http://users.tkk.fi/u/iisakkil/videoformats.html
- Sencore. "Comparison of VCR Formats", Retrieved 09/04/07 at http://catalogs.infocommiq.com/AVCAT/images/documents/pdfs/TT189%20-%204611.pdf
Topics/activities:
- Review of previous classes and readings (30 min.)
- Review of major historical developments in videotape technology (media and hardware), including the impact on media/hardware longevity and the creation of preservation/conservation protocols. How videotape is recorded, played back and transmitted including basic component parts of video decks and guidelines for playback. (180 min.)
Class 3: October 15, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Due:
- Assignment #1
Read:
- Chapters 20 (Overview of Operations) & 21 (Test Signals, Displays, and Media Problems) in Weise, Marcus and Diana Weyland. How Video Works: From Analog to High Definition. 2004. Burlington, MA and Oxford: Focal Press.
- Tektronix. Waveform Monitor Techniques, Vectorscope Techniques, and Setting up a Genlocked Studio in " Video Measurement: The Basics", Retrieved 9/6/07 at http://www.tek.com/Measurement/App_Notes/NTSC_Video_Msmt/25W_7247_1.pdf
- Tektronix. Video Recorder Tape Run Adjustments (Blue Section) in Video Installation and Troubleshooting with the TDS3000B. Retrieved 9/6/07 at http://www.tek.com/Measurement/App_Notes/tds3000/Video/eng/3GW_12450_2.pdf
- McKnight, John. "Tape Reproducer Response Measurements With a Reproducer Test Tape". Journal of the Audio Engineering Society. Retrieved 9/6/07 at http://home.flash.net/%7Emrltapes/mcknight_tape-reproducer-response.pdf
- Obtaining an Accurate Transfer (pp. 8-10) and Configuring, Calibrating Playback Equipment (pp. 21-23), and Configuring and Calibrating Playback Equipment (pp. 28-30) in "Capturing Analog Sound for Digital Preservation: Report of a Roundtable Discussion of Best Practices for Transferring Analog Discs and Tapes". 2006. Washington, D.C., Council on Library and Information Resources and Library of Congress. Retrieved 9/6/07 at http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub137/pub137.pdf
Topics/activities:
- Class presentations (60 minutes)
- Audio and video setup for playback – alignment, level setting, calibration, and the role of reference signals (60 minutes)
- Role of the TBC, Proc Amp and Frame Synchronizer, EQ curves
- Role of audio meters, waveform monitors, vectorscopes, video monitors and audio monitors
- Preservation vs. restoration vs. enhancement in practice – how is a flat transfer achieved with dynamic media? (20 minutes)
- Practice (90 minutes)
Class 4: October 29, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Due:
Read:
- Lacinak, Chris. "Project Outsourcing: Navigating Through The Client/Vendor Relationship To Achieve Your Project Goals". 2006. Retrieved 10/10/07 at http://www.avpreserve.com/resources.html
- Graft, Donald. "Data Rates and File Sizes" Retrieved 10/10/07 at http://neuron2.net/LVG/ratesandsizes.html
- Lacinak, Chris. "Quality Assessment of the Digital Surrogate". 2007. Retrieved 10/10/07 at http://www.avpreserve.com/resources/AVPS_QC_Surrogate_Distribute_PDF_notes.pdf and http://www.avpreserve.com/resources/AVPS_QA_QC_Considerations.pdf
- Library of Congress. "Illustrative Example of a Statement of Work: Typical Elements for Use in a Statement of Work for the Digital Conversion of Sound Recordings and Related Documents" 1999. Retrieved 10/10/07 at http://www.loc.gov/rr/mopic/avprot/audioSOW.html
Review:
AJA Data Rate Calculator:
- Mac OSX
- http://www.aja.com/ajashare/AJA_Data_Rate_Calculator_v2.app.tar
- Windows
- http://www.aja.com/ajashare/AJA_dataratecalculator_win_10-5.zip
Topics/activities:
- Preservation Reformatting Planning (90 minutes)
- Costing out projects
- Calculating capacity and throughput
- Outsourcing (90 minutes)
- Statements of work
- Work orders
- Practice (45 minutes)
Class 5: November 19, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Due:
Read:
- William A. Faunce. "Automation and the Division of Labor", Social Problems, Vol. 13, No. 2. (Autumn, 1965), pp. 149-160.
- D. A. Norman. "The 'Problem' with Automation: Inappropriate Feedback and Interaction, not 'Over-Automation'", Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, Vol. 327, No. 1241, Human Factors in Hazardous Situations. (Apr. 12, 1990), pp. 585-593.
- SMPTE. RP-166 Critical Viewing Conditions for Evaluation of Color Television Pictures.
- Lacinak, Chris. "Reformatting: Terminology, Intent and Practices". MIC Website, 2004. Retrieved 10/10/07at http://mic.loc.gov/preservationists_portal/presv_reformtg
Review:
- Lacinak, Chris. "Quality Assessment of the Digital Surrogate". 2007. Retrieved 10/10/07 at http://www.avpreserve.com/resources/AVPS_QC_Surrogate_Distribute_PDF_notes.pdf and http://www.avpreserve.com/resources/AVPS_QA_QC_Considerations.pdf
- Media Matters. SAMMA marketing information. Retrieved 10/10/07 at http://www.sammasystems.com/sammaprocess.html, http://www.sammasystems.com/samma_flow.html, http://www.sammasystems.com/images/sammavideopreview/Prepcart.wmv, and http://www.sammasystems.com/images/sammavideopreview/SAMMA.wmv
- Cube-Tec. AudioCube Quadriga and Dobbin marketing information. Retrieved 10/10/07 at http://www.cube-tec.net/downloads/quadriga/QuadrigaV3.pdf, http://www.cube-tec.net/downloads/quadriga/quadriga_preface.pdf, http://www.cube-tec.net/downloads/dobbin/DOBBIN_Tutorial.wmv (24MB), and http://www.cube-tec.net/downloads/dobbin/DOBBIN_Flyer.pdf
Topics/activities:
- Quality Assurance and Control (90 minutes)
- Equipment setup
- Environmental considerations (lighting, acoustics)
- Signal paths and routing
- Methodologies and workflows
- High efficiency workflows and automation (60 minutes)
- Visit to Media Matters (90 minutes)
- SAMMA
- SAMMA Solo
Class 6: November 26, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Due:
- Assignment # 2
Read:
- Sound Directions Publication. Yet to be released, but will be by this class.
- CRCDG. "Report on video and audio tape deterioration mechanisms (D6.1)", pp 9-12. PrestoSpace, 2006. Retrieved 10/10/07 at
- Wheeler, Jim. "Video Preservation Handbook", pp 3-6 section II. AMIA Website. Retrieved 10/10/07 at
- Image Permanence Institute. "THE PRESERVATION OF MAGNETIC TAPE COLLECTIONS: A PERSPECTIVE". Retrieved 10/10/2007 at
Review:
- Stauderman, Sarah & Paul Messier. "Video Format Identification Guide". 2007. Retrieved 10/10/07 at
- Hess, Richard. Formats and Resources. Retrieved 10/10/07 at
Topics/activities:
- Disscussion of Assignment 2 (60 minutes)
- Review inspection, diagnosis, and preparation processes and documentation (45 minutes)
- Practice entire process up to playback with various formats ( 110 minutes)
Class 7: December 9, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Due:
Read:
Review:
- BBC. One-Inch VideoTape Tutorial. PrestoSpace, 2006. DVD.
- AES audio metadata standards.
- MIC video metadata.
Topics/activities:
- Entire reformatting process through playback and recording with full documentation of processes, objects and evaluation of quality.