SIO AV Archiving Presentation Introduction to the Practices and Principles of Audio-Visual Archiving International Council on Archives, Section of International Organisations Nairobi, Kenya 25 October, 2007 Martha Hunt, Audio-Visual Archivist United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

SIO AV Archiving Presentation What are Audio-Visual Records? Audio – something that is heard Audio – something that is heard Visual – something that is seen Visual – something that is seen An object that: An object that: stores sight and sound stores sight and sound reproduces sight and sound reproduces sight and sound

SIO AV Archiving Presentation History of Audio Recording Tin-foil “phonograph” Tin-foil “phonograph” Wax cylinder Wax cylinder Pressed disks (LPs) Pressed disks (LPs) Magnetic tape (various formats) Magnetic tape (various formats) Cassette tapes Cassette tapes CD CD Digital audio files Digital audio files

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Henry Fox Talbot Louis Daguerre

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Edward Muybridge

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Nitrate Film Flammable Flammable Destroyed by studios when no longer financially valuable Destroyed by studios when no longer financially valuable Nitrate deterioration Nitrate deterioration

SIO AV Archiving Presentation The British Film Institute Established to “encourage the development of the art of the film, to promote its use as a record of contemporary life and manners, and to foster public appreciation and study of it from these points of view.”

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Cinematheque Francaises The first national cinematheque, and model for numerous institutions world- wide. The first national cinematheque, and model for numerous institutions world- wide. Focused on the public screenings and museum exhibits. Focused on the public screenings and museum exhibits.

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Acetate Film Non-flammable “safety” film Non-flammable “safety” film 35mm 35mm 16mm 16mm 8mm 8mm affordable for amateur use affordable for amateur use

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Video Television Television Broadcasting only, not recordable Broadcasting only, not recordable Magnetic tape used for recording image Magnetic tape used for recording image First videos too large for consumer use First videos too large for consumer use Various formats developed Various formats developed Professional quality Professional quality Consumer quality (VHS) Consumer quality (VHS)

SIO AV Archiving Presentation DVD and Digital Files DVD DVD Same shape and physical make-up as CDs Same shape and physical make-up as CDs Capable of storing large amounts of information Capable of storing large amounts of information Image quality superior to VHS Image quality superior to VHS Digital Video Files No longer a physical object Storage space costly Will become more common in the near future

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Goals of Audio-Visual Archiving Preservation Preservation Public Accessibility Public Accessibility

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Problems with film Nitrate deterioration Nitrate deterioration Acetate deterioration (vinegar syndrome) Acetate deterioration (vinegar syndrome) Black and white fading Black and white fading Color fading Color fading Physical damage to prints Physical damage to prints

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Problems with video Drop-outs Drop-outs Damage in playback Damage in playback Dust and pollutants Dust and pollutants Mould Mould Binder break-down (stick-shed syndrome) Binder break-down (stick-shed syndrome)

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Problems with CDs and DVDs Scratches Scratches Dye-fading Dye-fading No standards No standards Uncertain life expectancy Uncertain life expectancy

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Points to consider regarding digitisation Purpose Purpose Enhanced public accessibility Enhanced public accessibility Preservation Preservation Compression schemes Compression schemes Lossy vs. loseless Lossy vs. loseless Storage media Storage media LTO LTO RAID RAID Technological Obsolescence Technological Obsolescence Back-ups Back-ups Retention of original materials Retention of original materials

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Care and Handling of AV Material Videos Videos Store in a cool, dry, and clean environment Store in a cool, dry, and clean environment Rewind Rewind Store in enclosed cases Store in enclosed cases Clearly label case and tape Clearly label case and tape Store on end Store on end Limited use Limited use Metal shelving Metal shelving CDs and DVDs Store in a dark, clean environment Store in cases Only write on the clear hub of disc to label Store on end Limited use

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Preservation of Audio-Visual Materials Professional formats Professional formats DVCAM or DigiBeta DVCAM or DigiBeta Standardize if possible Standardize if possible Back ups Back ups 2 copies, stored separately 2 copies, stored separately Plan ahead Plan ahead

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Public accessibility of an audio-visual collection Physical organization Physical organization Shelves designed for your material Shelves designed for your material Intellectual organization Intellectual organization Database should fit your needs Database should fit your needs Digitization Digitization Easy to reproduce and distribute Easy to reproduce and distribute Do the best you can within your budget Do the best you can within your budget

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Challenges of A-V archiving Instability of materials Instability of materials Multiple formats Multiple formats Expensive Expensive

SIO AV Archiving Presentation Why keep A-V records? Accuracy of information Accuracy of information Accessible to a wider public Accessible to a wider public Nuance and meaning Nuance and meaning

SIO AV Archiving Presentation United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda