Preservation

Digital Moving Images from Film-based Source Material

Desired Product Outcomes Product Scope Product Category Original Characteristics Product Name
Record Type Format Condition

Customer needs:

  • create a digital copy because the source item is a high risk for loss of information (usually due to deterioration or obsolescence), and/or
  • exhibit or other purposes require a high quality copy

Product solution: The final product should be at high-to-maximum information capture standards that capture a high degree of visual information beyond just the content and satisfy long term preservation needs.
  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long term.
  • This file satisfies long term preservation needs.
  • Because of the high capture specifications, this file could confidently take the place of the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
  • This file can make other files including exhibition/broadcast quality files, reproduction masters and distribution copies.
Preservation Master:

If this product category is needed, the specification is determined by the characteristics (format and physical condition) of the source material.
Motion Picture Film (with or without composite optical sound)
All 35mm film/16mm Kodachrome
Advanced deterioration
Motion Picture Film Maximum Capture - 4K

[MPD-P1]
All other 16mm film
Advanced deterioration
Motion Picture Film Maximum Capture - 2K

[MPD-P3]
Motion Picture Film Optical Sound Track
ONT/DNT/MPT
Advanced deterioration
Motion Picture Film Maximum - Soundtrack Image Data

[MPD-P5]
MAG
Advanced deterioration
Motion Picture Film Maximum - Soundtrack Audio Data

[MPD-P6]

Customer needs:

  • create a digital copy to minimize risk due to frequent handling or high use (but not address high risk of information loss due to deterioration or obsolescence), and/or
  • improve access options.

Product solution: The final product should range from minimum-acceptable to less than high-to-maximum information capture levels to satisfy limited risk and access needs when maximum quality levels are not needed.
  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long term it represents a significant time and resource investment and/or is part of a coherent set. If the file can be regenerated from a preservation master with minimum effort, it is usually not managed and retained.
  • This file satisfies most researcher requests as well as limited preservation risks including loss, theft, and mishandling.
  • Because the capture/transfer specifications are closer to or at the minimum recommended level, this file would not be an optimal substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
  • This file can be generated from a preservation master or be the highest quality file created in a project.
  • This file can make other files including distribution copies.

Definition of coherent set

Reproduction Master:

If this product category is needed, the specification is determined by the format of the source object which can be either a DPX preservation master or a motion picture film.
Corrected 2K or 4K DPX full frame aspect ratio
HD DPX

[MPD-R1]
Soundtrack (if needed)
Motion Picture Film Median - Soundtrack Audio Data

[MPD-R6]
Motion Picture Film (with or without sound)
All 35 mm film/16mm
Stable condition
Motion Picture Film Median Capture - HD AVI

[MPD-R2]
Motion Picture Film Median Derivative - SD MPEG-2 50Mbps

[MPD-R3]

Customer needs:

  • create digital files for specific distribution and access systems, and/or
  • there is no reason to retain the files after the distribution or access goal is met.

Product solution: The final product should meet the file requirements of the specific delivery systems. In general, these products emphasize small file sizes and faster transfer rates over high quality levels.

Files Are Not Retained

  • This file is retained only as long as needed to satisfy a specific distribution need. It is not actively managed over a long term.
  • Other files would not be generated from this file.
  • This file is not intended to substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
Distribution Copies:

If product category is needed, choose one or more as appropriate to suit project needs.
Online Delivery Film WMV

[MPD-D1]
DVD Output from Film-based Original

[MPD-D2]
Motion Picture Film Median Derivative - SD MPEG-2 50Mbps

[MPD-D4]
Other/Project Specific Motion Picture Film

[MPD-D99]

Customer needs:

  • create digital cinema packages for specific distribution and access systems

Product solution: The final product should be valid DCP files for theater playback. These files are maintained because the represent a significant time and resource investment.

Files Are Retained

  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long term because it represents a significant time and resource investment.
  • Other files would not be generated from this file.
  • This file is not intended to substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
Distribution Copies:
Digital Cinema Package

[MPD-D3]

This strategy is suitable for the following Original Record Types

Top of Page

Preservation >

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272

.