Analog Videotape Capture Equipment
The Digital Production Unit has the capacity to digitally capture the following broadcast and consumer videocassette formats:
- VHS (including S-VHS, VHS-C, and Extended Play)
- 3/4″ U-Matic
- Betacam
- DVCPRO/DVCAM
- MiniDV
- Betacam SX
- MPEG IMX
- DigiBeta
Video suite equipment/software:
- JVC SR-S365U (VHS)
- Sony SVO-5800 (VHS)
- Sony VO-9850 (U-Matic)
- Sony J-30 (Betacam, Betacam SX, MPEG IMX, DigiBeta)
- Sony UVW-1800 (Betacam)
- Panasonic AJ-D450 (DVCAM)
- JVC CU-VH1 (MiniDV)
- DPS-290 TBC/Synchronizer
- DPS-295 TBC/Transcoder
- Hotronic AF-75 TBC
- tvONE 1T-TBC-GL
- Leader 5872A Vector/Waveform Monitor
- Sony PVM-8220 Broadcast Monitor
- Panasonic BT-S915DA Broadcast Monitor(s)
- Behringer ULTRALINK PRO MX882 Audio Mixer
- Vrecord
- Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express
- Final Cut Pro
- QuickTime Pro
- QCTools
- FFmpeg
- MediaConch
To reformat original recordings in open reel formats (2″ Quad, 1″ Type C, Sony EIAJ, etc.), the DPU works with professional vendors. Tapes are cleaned as needed prior to digital capture. Repairs and other treatments such as baking may also be carried out in order to address the adverse effects of aging, degradation or damage to the original media and to ensure optimal signal capture during the encoding process.
Motion Picture Film
To reformat motion picture materials, the DPU works with professional vendors that provide 2K/4K scanning services.
Analog Audio Tape
To reformat audiotape-based materials, the DPU works with professional vendors.
Encoding Specifications
Video
Preservation Master File for an Analog Video Source: This file serves as the highest-quality archival master that will be maintained in perpetuity for creating reproductions of the original recording.
• Wrapper: Matroska
• Codec: FFV1
• Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 (8-bit 4:2:2 for VHS materials)
• Frame size: 720×486
• Frame rate: 29.97
• Standard: NTSC
• Color space: YUV
• Video bitrate: 27 MB/sec fixed
• Audio: PCM, 48 kHz and 16-bit or 24-bit
• Approximate file size: 50 GB per/hr
Preservation Master File for a Digital Video Source: This file serves as the highest-quality archival master that will be maintained in perpetuity for creating reproductions of the original recording. The goal is to match the original resolution and encoding specs as closely as possible, if not exactly.
For example, a DV source is captured as:
• Wrapper: QuickTime
• NTSC, 4:1:1, 8 bit
• Frame size: as in original recording
• Video bitrate: 25 Mbps
• Audio: PCM, as high as 48 kHz and 20-bit
• Approximate file size: 12 GB per/hr.
Access Master Files: This file serves as a high-quality version of the master.
• Wrapper: QuickTime
• Frame size: as in original recording
• Video format: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (.m4v)
• Video bitrate: 800 kbps – 8000 kbps (variable and customizable)
• Audio: AAC, 192 kbps, 2 Channels @ 44.1 kHz
Audio
Preservation Master File for an Analog Audio Source: This file serves as the highest-quality archival master that will be maintained in perpetuity for creating reproductions of the original recording.
• BWF (Broadcast Wave Format)
• Encoded to Linear Pulse Code Modulation (LPCM)
• Sampling frequency: 96 kHz
• Bit depth: 24
• Sound field: as in original recording
• Byte order: Little endian
• Storage Requirements:
• Mono – 17.28 MB/minute or 1 GB/hour
• Stereo – 134.5 MB/minute or 2 GB/hour
