An Overview of our Solutions and the Process
Media Archive Systems has researched the issues of film and videotape preservation and using the latest technology offers a number of options for our clients to maintain their audio and video assets for present and future use. The primary process is to convert the video and audio content into a computer file format freeing the content from media deterioration and proprietary machinery.
There are two primary issues, borrowing document archiving terms:
File Forwarding: Handling the content that comes in every day and into the future.
Back Filing: Handling the problem of the volumes of content that is in boxes or on shelves from the past.
Media Archive Systems solves both problems with patent pending mobile digitizing laboratories that are shipped to the customer’s site. Each videotape or live video is digitized, with a single pass, into a high bit rate computer file and a low bit rate file as well as metadata. This process is designed to create a broadcast-quality master that would replace the tape as well as the Internet quality copy for quick screening and research, which can be done on any modern computer.
The major advantage to the computer file is having the video and audio information in a format that is ‘future poof’. As computer files, just as a text or spreadsheet file, they can be copied or stored on any data storage system,including servers, DVD or digital tape and easily be migrated to newer systems as they are invented. The files may also be converted to any other audio/video file format. This means that no matter what playback or editing technology is invented and used in the future, the content will always be available easily and inexpensively.
In order to meet the demands of clients of all sizes, Media Archive Systems has developed a mobile modular system. Using single digitizing stations, encoding one source tape at a time and quad digitizing stations, encoding four source videos by a single operator. MAS can put together any number of combinations to suit the budget and time constraints a client may have. These systems may be rented or leased, no capital purchase is required. When the job is finished, the equipment is simply returned. They may also be leased or purchased for file forwarding applications.
Of course, one of the biggest concerns of any client is cost. Media Archive Systems not only provides clients with the best technical solution but also the most cost effective solution. Since the conversion can be done on the client’s premises, the costs and risks associated with shipping tapes off-site are non-existent. The content remains always available as the library is seamlessly converted to a far more flexible format.
