The Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) has contracted Ascent Media Systems & Technology Services to preserve its historical video archive. The project will involve several phases including the design and build of a complete infrastructure capable of converting legacy material into digital files. Once digitized, ADMC’s film archive can be repurposed for a variety of digital delivery methods. Crucially, the archive material will also be preserved for use by future generations.
The video collection documents the social history of the United Arab Emirates from the 1950s to the present day but is currently recorded on film and four obsolete videotape formats, all of which are deteriorating.
The infrastructure build phase will encompass a wide range of technologies from legacy analog audio and PAL video formats through to the latest file-based workflow. Much of the digitized material will be incorporated into new TV productions. For immediate use, it can be stored in broadcast compatible formats both “on the shelf” and in a data tape archive. The asset could also be repurposed for other digital delivery methods or converted to any future physical storage medium, making it substantially format independent.
For more information, visit www.ascentmedia.com/systems.
