Contents:
- 1. Preface
- 2. Summary and Editorial Notes
- 3. Acknowledgements
- 4. Objectives
- 5. Initial Position
- 6. Test Series and Workflow
- 7. Results
- 8. Conclusion
- 9. References
- 10. Glossary
- 11. Appendix
This report describes a series of digitization tests with 16mm reversal films in order to determine what differences occur when scanning film of different qualities. The series of tests was conducted with a roll of archive material from the stocks held by Radio Télévision Suisse RTS that had been specially compiled for this purpose. Testing focused on the quality of reproduction of image characteristics such as sharpness and image structure when scanning in standard-definition and high-definition video. Tests using different scanner models were used to analyse which properties relate to the film image and which are attributable to the machines used. Finally, workflows were also examined and problematic steps identified. It includes links to high-resolution still images from the digitized film documents. It describes in detail the types and quality of the film tested (aspect ratio, film stock, image sharpness and grain, transfer machines, target format and image content), the workflow chosen and the results. The appendix provides some information about film digitization in Switzerland’s public television stations (somewhat outdated) and includes factors influencing image focus, scanning service providers in Switzerland and the specific composition of the 16mm reversal film scanned in the tests. This report is one of the Memoriav Dossiers.
This report is interesting especially for broadcast archives, as they tend to hold the largest collections of 16mm reversal film. It is aimed at archivists directly responsible for managing the transfer of this type of material to a digital format. It offers an honest assessment of what needs consideration and stresses the need for good planning. It also emphasizes the importance of seeking external advice when in-depth technical knowledge is not available in-house.