There are times we record informational videos and forget about them. We tend to think such videos are important and useful at that particular time. However, when we adopt the secret of using video archiving software, we can store videos that we may need to use in the future.
The benefits of archiving videos are many, and the most important is the ability to get old videos with information that could be useful in the future. We can save some money by re-using the videos and yet get the content we want.
We will discuss everything you need to know about video archiving. Is video archiving worth it, or is it just clout? Does your business have a Digital Asset Management program or need to hire an archival video services company?
What is Video Archiving?
Managing and preserving video files that are valuable for later use is called “video archiving”. For instance, the videos may be from previous years or this year’s video advertising campaign. Previous film and video tapes need to be digitized as they are fragile and deteriorating. Additionally, video archiving applies to archived videos with any historical significance that might be used in the future.
Video archiving commences from when the video is created and digitized for the future. It is not a one-time thing but a continuous process that ensures whenever a person needs the videos, they can have them.
Larger organizations frequently need video archiving software and high-quality digitization to preserve, track, organize, manage, and re-use video information. Thus, they need to be in contact with an archival video service company.
Why Organizations Need Video Archiving Software
In an organization, there are many videos taken daily. Technology has made it easy to take and record videos at any time. Thus, organizations may find that they have a lot of videos, and storage is an issue. Retrieving such videos may also be daunting, since it involves going through different videos, which may take time.
Rather than storing them on DVDs, flash drives, or external hard drives which are prone to hardware failure, the best option is to archive them in a long-term system. Digital Asset Management and metadata standards makes it easy to retrieve such videos for future use. For instance, an organization can build tailored user experiences across platforms with full metadata for SEO and reuse.
If they don’t archive their videos, it is hard to retrieve such recordings when needed. In a nutshell, using video archiving software to store and track videos makes retrieving them easier and faster.
What is Included in Video Archiving?
It is important to note that Digital Asset Management and video archiving is forever growing. It is a continuous process that doesn’t stop at creating a video. It allows an organization to retrieve their videos assets even after a long period if they follow the right video archiving procedure.
For instance, if the archive is for NAS platforms like Synology and QNAP, P5 runs on them without problems. An ingest can also be used to store raw footage when it is in the process of editing. This allows the load to be reduced, especially on the production storage and share assets in a collaborative setting.
To archive the video for later use, people/organizations need to have metadata for easier location of files. The metadata, like camera type, focal length, and lens, can be technical. It can also be descriptive, showing who, what, when, where, and why it was recorded. Software such as Archiware P5 Archive organizes and displays thumbnails of media plus proxy clips for visual browsing.
These are included in a video archive:
Digitizing/Creating
Digitizing old media such as Regular 8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm film, analog videotapes professional and consumer, slides, printed photos and analog audio recordings. Creating raw footage during video shoots to be used in editing or documentation.
Transferring
Once you have created the videos, transfer them from your camera or external hard drive to a computer. Make sure they are raw to avoid interfering with the content. NB: Don’t delete the original before confirming whether the transfer is successful. If recordings are to be used for legal purposed maintain the metadata and provide Chain of Custody.
Organizing
Organizing makes it easier to retrieve videos. The best way to organize is to use metadata and naming standard. Alternatively, an organization can use media management tools like CatDV Asset Management Platform.
Activating/Sharing
It entails uploading videos to a central location. This allows organizations collaborate on projects and publish videos on digital platforms. YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, and Facebook are some of the fantastic platforms to activate the videos.
Archiving
Archiving is essential if the video is not in use at that particular time. An organization can partner with video archiving companies or choose an archiving method they can maintain independently.
Reviving
It is done when the videos need to be used. Since the right procedure was followed when archiving, the videos are out for use in good condition.
How Do I Archive Video Footage?
There are different methods organizations can use based on quantity. For instance, one hour of ProRes 1920×1080 video is 149GB and one hour of MP4 1920×1080 is 8GB. They include:
Using LTO (Linear Tape-Open)
The LTO tape lasts for a long time (30 years). It has unique features like enhanced security layers that allow error correction, air gap, read-after-write, etc. That guarantees the data stored will be intact until needed.
When you compare the tape scale and the drives that run through it, LTO-10 going up to 1100MB/s and 120TB compresses per tape, the archiving process can be overwhelming. Thus, LTO tape can accommodate all this, and it is relatively cheap.
To achieve the best when using LTO, invest in hardware and software. However, that is an investment worth taking since all your footage is safe in an LTO tape.
Archiving in Cloud
Cloud storage services such as Amazon AWS (Amazon Web Services), IBM Aspera and Microsoft Azure accommodates everyone. Pricing is based on volume and access frequency. An organization doesn’t need to have archive hardware. That means no data maintenance fees, data centers, disaster recovery, etc. Everything is done by the cloud vendor and if they stay in business, and you are willing to pay a monthly fee, your data is safe.
Archiving on A Disc
Archiving footage on a DVD disc is not advisable as disc readers are going away. Also, standard disc stores only 4.5GB. External hard drives are cheap per GB but have a track record of failure with recover up to $3000.
What is Archival Service?
Archival service is when a third company is responsible for storing or archiving videos for organizations or businesses for future use. The essence of archiving videos for organizations is to keep them safe and secure.
The archival video services companies relieve stress from organizations by ensuring that when they need their videos, they can get them safely. In the case that organizations need to archive their videos for as long as 30 years, archival video services companies offer those services.
The archival service is applicable to businesses that don’t have coherent or concise methods of archiving their videos. If the budget is too high to buy the software needed to archive their videos, then companies of archival video services come in handy.
Try the A.R.S. Video, Inc Archive Solution Today
As an organization, there is no need to spend lots of money looking for expensive archival video services. The best solution is to use our services at A.R.S. Video. We will help you digitize your film, video tapes, photos, slides, audio cassettes and reel to reel media. We can help you standardize your metadata and select an archival system that suits your needs.
Does Your Organization Need Archival Video Services?
If the answer is yes, A.R.S. Video, member of the Society of American Archivists, is readily available. Contact us and request to talk to any of us, and let’s help your organization archive your irreplaceable historical media in the safest way possible. Ask questions related to your inquiries, request a demo, and learn more about our film and video conversion services.
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