The purpose of this product is to respond to reference and reproduction requests for broadcast quality material.

Digital file sources:

• Any Motion Picture Film Maximum Capture - 2K [MPD-P3] or preservation master and Uncompressed WAV preservation masters as appropriate.

Motion picture film sources:

• All 35mm and 16mm film elements (B&W or color) with or without sound in stable condition as demonstrated by a determination of “Medium” or below on the Motion Picture Condition At-Risk Assessment Guide
• Scaled from 4K or 2K DPX files

The capture process may result in two separate files linked by metadata.

Image Data

• DPX (Digital Picture Exchange) as defined by SMPTE 268M-1994
• Uncompressed
• Version 1

Audio Data (if present)

• Broadcast WAV (.wav) as defined by The European Broadcasting Union in document Tech 3285
• Uncompressed
• Version: 1

Image Data

• Bit Depth: 10 Bit
• Resolution: HD 1920x1080
• Color space: 4:4:4
• Color model: RGB
• SMPTE legal broadcast range
• Byte order: Big endian

Typical file size: 12 GB/minute or 720 GB/hour

This product can be use to make distribution files.

Using automated batch-processing software tools, test plans are developed for each format and/or each appropriate project. The test plan allows for some characteristics to be evaluated on an actionable basis (warning, fail or pass depending on the defined parameters). Others are logged for internal use but are not actionable as a warning, pass or fail. Aim points for these benchmarks are evaluated against NARA's product specifications as well as NARA defined aim points which may change depending on specific project goals. The following represents a typlical quality test plan for selected technical characteristics for DPX products. Test plans are limited by software capabilities. NARA is continuing to improve and refine its QC processes.

Terms used in the QC protocols are defined in the Glossary of Terms.

For digital products created from film-based source material, the specifications are dictated by the source material’s original characteristics including format and condition. Materials in advanced stages of deterioration as measured on the At Risk Assessment Guide are scanned to include all the available visual information within a DPX sequence including the optical soundtrack if available. When reproduction copies are needed, a second file without the soundtrack image may be generated through reprocessing the over-scanned image to mask the soundtrack. One-light color timing will be employed as appropriate during the initial capture process, but otherwise, the preservation files are unaltered. Reproduction and distribution files may have additional image improvements such as the use of restoration tools including dust and scratch removal as needed and scene-by-scene color correction.