Appendix D: Guide to Equipment Needed for Audiovisual Digitization
This document is adapted from the guides Minimum Viable Station: Documentation (December 2, 2016) and Minimum Viable Station: Recipes (January 16, 2017) created by Ashley Blewer.
This is an overview of the general components needed to digitize and/or transfer analog and digital video and audio materials with suggestions for currently available equipment. Reviewing examples of documented set ups by other organizations will help illustrate the similarities and differences of digitization setups – below is a list of several resources that contain setup examples.
Before you begin…
If in the course of planning for digitization you determine to invest in an in-house setup as part of your project plan, it is important to determine early on what is required to do the work and who will be doing this work. Questions to ask include:
- What format or formats are you digitizing?
- What equipment do you already have?
- What equipment will you need to acquire?
- What is your budget?
- Where will the equipment be set up?
- Where will the resulting files be stored temporarily and long term?
- Who is responsible for planning, assembling, use, documentation, and maintenance?
- What kind of departmental and/or interdepartmental support is possible?
- Would a partnership with another organization support this work – to share equipment, to support long term digital storage, to apply for additional funding?
Make final decisions based on desired outcomes and resource availability.
We’ve also created an equipment inventory template for you to download and customize for your own use.
Recommended Guides
Memory Lab Network
- A Deep Dive into Building a Memory Lab (in progress) https://tinyurl.com/yk34rxje
- In the Lab https://libguides.dclibrary.org/memorylab/in-the-lab
- Equipment and Wiring Diagrams https://libguides.dclibrary.org/memorylab/equipment
Minimum Viable Station
- Documentation https://tinyurl.com/ybh6a9t3
- Recipes https://tinyurl.com/5n7r5k67
Indigitization
- Planning: Before starting an audio cassette digitization project https://tinyurl.com/27bkc6rw
The Cable Bible: A Guide to Cables and Connectors Used for Audiovisual Tech
https://amiaopensource.github.io/cable-bible/
Basic Components for Video, Audio & Film Digitization
In each instance, regardless of your budget, ensure you are purchasing items (both hardware and software) that are compatible with each other. You can confirm this by looking at available connections on old and new hardware, and checking software compatibility listings on the product site or within user forums. In almost all instances, high level film scanning aside, you are making commercial products created for purposes other than archiving to conform to archival practices. They often do not cooperate.
Analog Videotape
Example: 3/4 inch U-matic, Betacam, VHS, Hi8
- Computer (with monitor, keyboard, mouse)
- Analog-to-Digital Converter/Capture card/Video card
- Capture Software (must be compatible with converter)
- Time Base Corrector (TBC)
- Video Playback Deck
- Audio Mixer/Monitor (optional)
- Video Monitor (optional)
- Vectorscope + Waveform Monitor (optional)
- Headphones (plug into deck, mixer, or computer directly to monitor audio quality)
- External Speakers (optional)
- External Digital Storage (temporary storage for capture)
- Cables:
- Power cords for all relevant hardware
- HDMI or other cable to connect computer monitor to computer
- USB-C or Thunderbolt cable to connect converter to computer
- Cable to connect playback deck to video monitor (optional)
- Audio cables connecting audio deck to mixer, mixer to converter (optional)
- Video cables connecting video deck to TBC, TBC to converter
Analog Videotape Component Product Recommendations (2023)
| Component | Brand/model | Cost (as of 2023) | Link to example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer - desktop | Apple Mac mini (M2) 16GB RAM | $799 | Don’t purchase later than 2019 (keep within the 5 year range!). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1746630-REG/apple_macminm2_05_mac_mini_m2_8c_10c.html |
| Computer - laptop | Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M2) 16GB RAM | $1999 | https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1746351-REG/apple_mphe3ll_a_14_macbook_pro_with.html |
| Analog-to-Digital Converter | Blackmagic Design UltraStudio HD Mini | $545 | https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1335021-REG/blackmagic_design_bdlkulsdminhd_ultrastudio_hd_mini_with.html |
| Capture software | Blackmagic capture card has free access to Media Express - now Desktop Video | $0 | Blackmagic capture card supports - Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro CC, DaVinci Resolve, Avid https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/developer/product/capture-and-playback |
| Capture software | vRecord | $0 | Open source software, can only be used with Blackmagic capture cards (for now). Install requires Command Line use bravery. https://github.com/amiaopensource/vrecord/blob/main/Resources/Documentation/installation_and_setup.md |
| Time Base Corrector | Leitch DPS-575 TBC | $800-$2000 | Ideal, but large, used, and expensive! Scour Ebay. http://digiommel.fi/DPS-575.pdf |
| Time Base Corrector | Burst Electronics PXFS Pixie-FS Frame Store TBC | $750 | https://www.markertek.com/product/burst-pxfs/burst-pixie-fs-frame-store-tbc-time-base-corrector |
| Audio monitor/mixer | Mackie 402VLZ4 4-Channel Ultra Compact Mixer | $130 | https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/996857-REG/mackie_402_vlz4_402vlz4_4_channel_ultra_compact_mixer.html |
| Video Deck - U-matic | Sony VO-9800 | $400-$1500 | Large, used, scour Ebay. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/693005/Sony-Vo-9800.html#product-VO-9800 |
| Video Deck - Betacam/Digital Betacam | Sony DVW-A500 | $400-$1500 | Large, used, scour Ebay. https://pro.sony/s3/cms-static-content/operation-manual/3800541041.pdf |
| Video Deck - Hi8/8mm/Digital 8 | SONY GV-D200 | $300-$800 | Used, scour Ebay. Compact Digital 8 Sony deck is more generous with old tapes. https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W000/W0004510M.pdf |
| Video Deck - VHS/S-VHS | Sony SVO series for professional, S-VHS decks for consumer | $300-$800 | More commercial models may have built in TBC. S-VHS decks are highly recommended. Commercial decks can still be bought new, but as usual, scour Ebay. |
Analog Audiotape
Example: 1/4 inch audio tape, Compact audio cassette
- Computer (with monitor, keyboard, mouse)
- Analog-to-Digital Converter
- Capture Software
- Audio Playback Deck
- Audio Mixer/Monitor (optional)
- Headphones (plug into deck, mixer, or computer directly to monitor audio quality)
- External Speakers (optional)
- External Digital Storage (temporary storage for capture)
- Cables:
- Power cords for all relevant hardware
- HDMI or other cable to connect computer monitor to computer
- USB-C or Thunderbolt cable to connect converter to computer
- Audio cables connecting audio deck to mixer, mixer to converter
Analog Audiotape Component Product Recommendations (2023)
| Component | Brand/model | Cost (as of 2023) | Link to example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | Apple 13.6" MacBook Air (M2) 8GB RAM is fine | $999 | Any computer that will connect to the converter will work - as long as the converter connects and the capture software is compatible! Refurbished computers are great too! Keep it within 5 years to mitigate compatibility issues with software! https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1710305-REG/apple_mly33ll_a_13_6_macbook_air_ m2.html |
| Analog-to-Digital Converter | Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB-C Audio Interface | $149 | https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1479275-OREG/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3g_scarlett_ 2i2_usb_audio.html |
| Audio monitor/mixer | Mackie 402VLZ4 4-Channel Ultra Compact Mixer | $130 | https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/996857-REG/mackie_402_vlz4_402vlz4_4_channel_ ultra_compact_mixer.html |
| Audio Deck - compact cassette | TASCAM 202MKVII Rackmount USB Dual Cassette Deck | $599 | Compact cassettes are back in style, you will find newly manufactured and refurbished decks for a range of prices! https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1413241-REG/tascam_202mkvii_professional_ rack_mount_dual_cassette.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwm4ukBhAuEiwA0zQxk0UYqnMjlNsRdxx MxEbfs7Nr6fn-dgLwQJATZBksDDehmFyAe3k3OxoC4uYQAvD_BwE |
| Audio Deck - 1/4 inch open reel | TEAC X-7R 1/4" 2-Track Reel to Reel Tape | $300-$800 | Used, scour Ebay. https://reel-reel.com/tape-recorder/teac-x-7x-7r/ https://www.synthxl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Teac-X-7R-x-10r-Owner-Manual.pdf |
Digital Videotape
Example: DVCAM, MiniDV/HDV
These magnetic tapes already have digital signals and the goal is not to convert what is on the tape but to move it over into file form as is. That is why you do not need a converter between the deck and the computer capture software.
- Computer (with monitor, keyboard, mouse)
- Capture Software
- Video Deck/Camera
- Headphones (plug into deck, mixer, or computer directly to monitor audio quality)
- External Speakers (optional)
- External Digital Storage (temporary storage for capture)
- Cables:
- Power cords for all relevant hardware
- HDMI or other cable to connect computer monitor to computer
- Firewire cable to connect deck or camera to computer
- You will likely need adapters (ex: firewire to thunderbolt 2, thunderbolt 2 to 3) to connect the deck directly to a computer
Digital Videotape Component Product Recommendations (2023)
| Component | Brand/model | Cost (as of 2023) | Link to example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | See options above | For DV - the goal is to link the deck directly to the computer, no conversion necessary, but you will still need capture software! | |
| Capture software | Apple Final Cut Pro | $300 | https://apps.apple.com/us/app/final-cut-pro/id424389933?mt=12 Final cut will work with most video cards for other formats as well https://support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/import-from-tape-based-cameras-verd0e78a7e/mac |
| Capture software | Adobe Premiere Pro | $20.99/month | https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html?filter=pr-reco&plan=individual Premiere will work with most video cards for other formats as well https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/capturing-digitizing.html |
| Capture software | iMovie | $0 (for Mac users) | https://support.apple.com/guide/imovie/import-from-tape-based-cameras-mov6af9c94c1/mac |
| Capture software | LifeFlix DV Importer | $100 | https://www.lifeflix.com/products/lifeflix |
| Capture software | DVRescue | $0 | Archivist-made software https://mipops.github.io/dvrescue/ https://github.com/mipops/dvrescue |
| Video Deck - DV | Sony HVR-M25U | $300-$2000 | Used, now expensive, but covers a lot of format ground. Scour Ebay. https://www.manualslib.com/products/Sony-Hvr-M25u-Professional-Video-Cassete-Recorder-Player-373876.html |
| Video Deck - DV | Sony DSR-1500A | $300-$600 | Used, scour Ebay. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/160381/Sony-Dsr-1500a.html |
Optical Disc (Digital Video/Audio)
Example: DVD, DVD-R, CD, CD-R
- Computer (with monitor, keyboard, mouse)
- Disk Imaging Software (archival) or Ripper Software (content only)
- External Optical Drive or DVD/CD Deck
- External Digital Storage (temporary storage for capture)
- Cables:
- Power cords for all relevant hardware
- HDMI or other cable to connect computer monitor to computer
- Portable Disc Drive to connect directly to computer (USB or USB-C)
- Connect DVD/CD deck to computer – may require adapters
Optical Disc (Digital Audio/Video) Component Product Recommendations (2023)
| Component | Brand/model | Cost (as of 2023) | Link to example or notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | Anything that you can attach an external drive to and your capture software will work. | Doesn’t require as much processing power, and there are more cross platform software options. | |
| External optical drive | No specific brand, check you can connect to the computer you are using. | $25-$75 | Recommended over a deck - convenient and multifunctional. |
| Capture/RIP software | Handbrake, VLC Media Player, Apple iTunes, etc. | $0 | DVD: https://handbrake.fr/ https://www.videolan.org/vlc/ CD: https://tinyurl.com/4763mebb |
| Disk Imaging Software - Windows | FTK Imager | $0 | https://accessdata-ftk-imager.software.informer.com/3.1/ |
| Disk Imaging Software - Mac | Guymager | $0 | https://guymager.sourceforge.io/ |
Motion Picture Film
Example: 16mm, Regular 8mm, Super 8mm
Motion picture film digitization equipment is prohibitively expensive for most small institutions, and even for well-funded institutions it is worth considering if the amount of film to be digitized warrants purchasing equipment over working with a trusted vendor. In addition to the film scanners themselves, if digitizing a large amount of film on-site an organization would be advised to have an operator with some film handling experience.
- Computer (with monitor, keyboard, mouse)
- Exact type is dependent on specific scanner purchased, but expect to need a dedicated machine with high RAM and storage
- While the Wolverine does not need a computer to perform capture, you will need to transfer your video files from the SD cards required for the machine to external storage locations via a computer
- Film scanner
- External Digital Storage (temporary storage for capture)
Motion Picture Film Digitization Component Product Recommendations (2023)
| Component | Brand/model | Cost (as of 2023) | Link to example or notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | Dependent on scanner | $999-$3000 | https://moviestuff.tv/4k_system_specs.pdf |
| Film scanner | Wolverine 8mm and Super 8* | $299 | https://www.wolverinedata.com/products/new-wolverine-8mm-and-super-8 |
| Film scanner | Wolverine Moviemaker Pro* | $399 | https://www.wolverinedata.com/products/MovieMaker_Pro |
| Film scanner | RetroScan 816-2K Desktop Movie Scanner | $6695 | https://www.moviestuff.tv/retroscan_816_2k_scanner.html |
| Film scanner | RetroScan Universal 4K Mark-II Movie Scanner System | $14,195 | https://www.moviestuff.tv/moviestuff_universal_mark_ii_series.html |
| Film scanner | FilmFabriek HDS+ | ~$50,000 [check with company directly for a quote] | https://filmfabriek.nl/hds-plus/ |
| Film scanner | Lasergraphics | ~$60,000-$200,000 [check with company directly for a quote] | https://lasergraphics.com/ |
| *While the Wolverine machines are included on this equipment list, the quality of files produced by these machines is not suitable for preservation needs. In fact, in many cases the quality of the files is not even suitable for access needs, especially if your film is not in pristine condition. | |||
Additional Digitization & Equipment Resources
- Digitization Best Practices and Recommendations, National Heritage Digitization Strategy (NHDS), 2019
https://cnhds.files.wordpress.com/2019/05/nhds-digitization-best-practices-and-recommendations-2019.pdf - Indigitization: Project Planning
https://tinyurl.com/yk2ftzu5 - Indigitization: Digitization Best Practices and Guides
https://tinyurl.com/cxuh9yvw - MemLabNet: Intro to Digitization, Digital Preservation, and Scanning
https://youtu.be/GSZSZ4b2NWE - Community Archiving Workshop: Video and Audio Digitization Kits Documentation
https://communityarchiving.org/category/resources-hb/kits/ - NSW Australian Mukurtu Hub: Digital Stewardship Curriculum
https://tinyurl.com/mps6k2td - NSW Australian Mukurtu Hub: Digitization Purpose Statement Worksheet
https://tinyurl.com/52e5u2c8 - NSW Australian Mukurtu Hub: Digitization Selection Criteria Worksheet
https://tinyurl.com/5n6ty726 - The Cable Bible: A Guide to Cables and Connectors Used for Audiovisual Tech
https://amiaopensource.github.io/cable-bible/ - An Optical Media Preservation Strategy for New York University’s Fales Library & Special Collections, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/k2wdr5kj - Equipment Purchase – used and new – in North America (some products sold directly by brand, check their sites)
- B&H Photo https://www.bhphotovideo.com/
- Adorama https://www.adorama.com/
- Ebay https://www.ebay.com/
- Backmarket https://www.backmarket.com/en-us
- Newegg https://www.newegg.com
