This paper advocates for a data-transfer migration approach (FireWire) instead of an audiovisual signal output approach (SDI) when migrating tape based, digital born content in a DV codec. It describes the nature of DV tapes (miniDV and DVCam) and how transcoding the content rather than migrating the native data files results not only in a loss of valuable metadata, but may result in producing a digital object which is no longer authentic. It includes references to the DVanalyzer tool the authors have built, to be used during migration in order to monitor the transfer process.
This paper offers clear preservation advice for DV content. The authors build a strong case for their recommendation. It offers valuable decision making support for content management technical staff dealing with DV collections.