All advice documents, training courses and blog entries tagged 'digitisation'
Still images advice tagged 'digitisation'
How Do I Digitise Difficult Objects?
Scanners and digital cameras are the most commonly used devices for capturing still images; the digital files they create fit seamlessly into the modern workflow. This document looks at scanners and digital cameras and how they can be used to capture non-typical objects. In this document we look at a range of different objects and how we can capture them with a camera or scanner and a few accessories.
Read full advice document...Taking Pictures under Available Light
Most modern digital stills cameras have built in flashes, however these do not always produce a pleasing light, have a limited range and the flash can be distracting in some situations. Professional photographers normally like to have complete control over lighting in order to produce the highest quality images. It is however possible to produce high quality images without the cameras built in flash or in situations where you do not have total control over the lighting. Available or ambient light is the light in the scene before the photographer starts work and this FAQ document looks at common problems associated with available light and how to overcome them. You may also be interested in our Light Sources for Still and Moving Images advice document.
Read full advice document...Approaches to Describing Images
The following paper seeks to provide background to some methods for describing images that may be deployed by those building shared image collections. While the emphasis is on describing digital still images, those developing collections in other multimedia formats - particularly video - may find some of the methods and research outlined here applicable.
Read full advice document...Resampling Raster Images
This document uses images to illustrate how different resampling methods will affect the appearance of the resized image. The most suitable method varies according to the type of image being resampled, this paper helps to guide the user to the appropriate resampling method for their images.
Read full advice document...Still Image Capture: Hardware and Software
This document is an introduction to digital cameras and scanners and their role in digitisation. This document also looks at the features found in software used to edit images captured by cameras and scanners.
Read full advice document...Useful Books, Magazines and Online Publications for Digital Imaging
This is a list of books, papers, magazines, journals, online publications and mailing lists that JISC Digital Media thinks are useful to keep up to date with developments in digital imaging.
Read full advice document...Generic Image Digitisation Workflow: Text Version of Diagram
This is a text version of the workflow diagram in the advice document: Generic Image Workflow.
Read full advice document...Generic Image Digitisation Workflow
This document reviews the general concepts of 'best practice' within an image digitisation workflow and then looks at how these concepts can be mapped onto the workflow, to allow the efficient production of all required deliverables.
Read full advice document...Case Study: University of Bristol Theatre Collection
How the collection digitised its documents and photographs.
Read full advice document...Converting your Slides into Digital Images
The 35mm slide has long played a key role for delivering images in the teaching and learning environment. However, recent improvements in capture and delivery technology have seen digital images virtually replace analogue media. Many slide collections now have to be converted to a format which can more easily be incorporated into the modern workflow. This document explains the process of converting analogue slides into digital images and preparing them for delivery.
Read full advice document...Setting up a Workspace for Digitising Images
In planning a digitisation project, one of the major considerations will be where you decide to do the digitising and how to make best use of the workspace. Ensuring the area is designed and set up correctly will not only help establish a smooth and effective workflow, but will also make sure the project personnel involved are at their happiest and therefore at their most productive. This document looks at the main issues to be considered when planning and setting up a workspace for digital imaging.
Read full advice document...Case Study: History of Art, University College Cork
This short case study looks at how the newly established History of Art department at University College Cork went about building a collection of images to support its teaching. Although it would have preferred to create an all-digital collection, the constraints of time, money and copyright led the department to take a hybrid approach, using a mix of formats, drawn from several different sources.
Read full advice document...Digitising Microfiche and Microfilm
A microfiche is a very compact analogue storage media. A single 6" x 4" polyester microfiche can store all the pages of an average book.
Read full advice document...Case Study: Staffordshire Past Track
Staffordshire Past Track is a web-based multimedia archive related to the history and cultural heritage of Staffordshire. The bulk of the collection is comprised of photographic or printed images from the past 150 years. Noteworthy features of the Past Track project are its bespoke content management system and a user interface that provides, among other functions, map-based searching, an image zoom facility, and user-annotated albums.
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Moving images advice tagged 'digitisation'
Choosing a Digital Video File Type
Choosing a file format can prove overwhelming for someone new to the world of digital video. The aims of this document are to discuss some of the key factors that should be considered before selecting a file format and to suggest suitable choices for specific applications
Read full advice document...Selecting a Video Digitisation System
This document looks at a number of configurations of equipment which can be used to digitise analogue videotapes. This document is intended to be of use to staff engaged in the digitisation of analogue video, whether dealing with only a few or a few hundred tapes.
Read full advice document...Planning a Video Digitisation Project
The digitisation of an existing video collection has many potential benefits; newly digitised materials offer opportunities to reach new users and to engage with new and existing users in new ways. Digitisation may also prove to be the only viable way to make our vulnerable video materials available to generations of future users. The complexities of achieving a successfully digitised and fully accessible video collection can be considerable but through careful preparation, the task can be broken down into manageable stages.
Read full advice document...Generic Video Digitisation Workflow
This introductory document is aimed at smaller video archives or paper-based collections which have a video element. This document may also prove beneficial to specially funded video digitisation projects. We shall look at ways in which best practice can be observed and incorporated into each stage of even the smallest video digitisation project, from selecting an initial digital format to delivery.
Read full advice document...Equipping a Video Digitisation System
This document describes the configuration of a system which is intended to be used for the digitisation of analogue videotape to a computer hard drive. This document is intended to be of use to staff engaged in the digitisation of analogue video, whether dealing with only a few or a few hundred tapes.
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The advice document Selecting a Video Digitisation System provides an overview of alternative types of equipment configurations.
Audio advice tagged 'digitisation'
AAC Audio and the MP4 Media Format
A guide to the creation and use of AAC compressed audio resources. AAC is the successor to the popular MP3 format, and this document explains its advantages over MP3, as well as its place within the wider MPEG-4 media family.
Read full advice document...Uncompressed Audio File Formats
This document summarises the main features of uncompressed audio file types, including WAV, AIFF and Broadcast WAV (BWF). It gives an overview of these ‘raw’ formats, and a simple explanation of the common options they will offer the user when creating or working with digital audio. It also looks at lossless compression tools for subsequently reducing the size of these files which will allow reconstruction of their original audio data sonically unaltered. Several sections include links to further resources covering specific relevant topics in more detail, so this is a good place to start if you want to learn more about any of these formats.
Read full advice document...Metadata and Audio Resources
Working with metadata can be a very time-consuming and resource heavy activity, so it is important to have a firm understanding of your objectives before initial decisions are made. Before reading this advice document, it is worth familiarising yourself with the document An Introduction to Metadata.
Read full advice document...Acoustic Treatment
An illustrated introductory guide to the various methods of acoustic treatment for improving room acoustics and reducing sound transmission, and some simple methods for identifying acoustic problems.
Read full advice document...Choosing an Audio Interface - Unit Specifications
A comparison of the features and specifications of some popular and suggested audio interfaces.
Read full advice document...Choosing an Audio Interface - Technical Considerations
Explanation of the various specifications quoted for computer audio interfaces, and their relevance to functionality and sound quality.
Read full advice document...Choosing an Audio Interface - Project Requirements
The implications of different types of audio and video project for your choice of audio computer interface.
Read full advice document...Recording Telephone Conversations
Guidance on the principle, ethics and practice of recording telephone conversations for Remote Interviews and Oral History.
Read full advice document...Setting up an Audio Workspace
A guide to some of the considerations when installing a Digital Audio Workstation, and preparing and optimising the space for recording and listening.
Read full advice document...Audio Digitisation Workflow
This paper discusses the considerations needed when planning a workflow for digitisation. It outlines some of the preparation needed when creating a workflow and precepts that need to be incorporated. The paper then offers an example generic workflow for digitising open-reel audiotapes onto a computer hard drive system.
Read full advice document...Choosing your Digital Audio Software
It can be a difficult task to choose the right audio software for your specific project, especially if you are new to the world of digital audio. This paper discusses some of the key factors to consider when choosing audio software and provides a comparison guide to some of the most popular packages.
Read full advice document...Choosing a Digital Audio File Format
The choice of file formats can often prove overwhelming for someone new to the world of digital audio. The aim of this document is to discuss some of the key factors that should be considered before choosing a format and suggest suitable file formats for specific applications.
Read full advice document...Equipping an Audio Digitisation System
This document aims to provide information needed when equipping an audio digitisation project of analogue media to a digital hard drive. This document is written with the digitisation of stereo and mono files in mind. For information regarding digitising multi-track recordings, there is a section at the end of this document with some recommendations and considerations. This document is intended to provide a guide to staff who wish to undertake digitisation projects of any scale, be it small or large.
This document is intended to be read alongside Selecting an Audio Digitisation System, which provides a variety of system specifications for differing budgets.
Read full advice document...Selecting an Audio Digitisation System
This document is a discussion of some of the primary audio digitisation systems available for digitising analogue audio media. This document is intended to be of use to staff engaged in the digitisation of analogue audio, whether dealing with only a few or a few hundred tapes.
Read full advice document...Audio Troubleshooting Guide
A step-by-step guide to diagnosing and rectifying some common technical problems encountered when preparing a recording system
Read full advice document...Stereo Recording Techniques
A more advanced guide to various stereo microphone techniques.
Read full advice document...Microphone Technique
A guide to using microphones in some of their common applications in recording. Covers good practice in setting up and connecting microphones, and includes tips on getting the best from your equipment and subject.
Read full advice document...An Introduction to Digital Audio
A guide to the theory of digital audio, explaining the process of analogue to digital conversion and how sound is represented and stored in digital form.
Read full advice document...Microphone Guide
A guide to microphone characteristics, selection and care
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Cross-media advice tagged 'digitisation'
Analogue Film Types Used for Still and Moving images
This document looks at the history of photographic and movie film and how and why the film type has altered over time. The document also contains some frequently asked questions on film types and handling.
Read full advice document...Light Sources for Still and Moving Images
The word photography means drawing with light, without light it is impossible to record a video or still image. So lighting whether in a classroom, office or dedicated photographic studio is an essential component in a photograph or video. The captured image is a record of the light that is emitted, reflected or absorbed by the subject. With a basic understanding of light and how it can be modified the photographer or filmmaker should be able to improve the appearance of their images. This document will look at commonly used light sources and how the user can get the most from them.
Read full advice document...Digitisation Services
JISC Digital Media contacted a number of digitisation service providers for more information about the services they supply. The following list is not an endorsement of any of the services, but is provided to help you identify services to evaluate in more detail.
Read full advice document...Systems for Managing Digital Media Collections
Everyone's collection and context is unique, so your choice of a system (or systems) for managing your digital media will require a careful assessment of your needs and resources and an evaluation of the available options. This paper provides an overview of a number of different approaches to media management: from some very cheap and 'low-tech' approaches to much more complex and specialised solutions.
Read full advice document...Audiovisual Signal Types and Interconnects
Over the decades various technical standards have been adopted for analogue and then for digital video and audio. As the popularity of systems declined they were generally replaced by improved technologies, making many system configurations entirely obsolete. Obsolete interconnects can be difficult to use in conjunction with modern equipment.
This paper looks at the nature of audio and video signals and then surveys significant historical interconnects (such as RCA) and contemporary, digital equivalents (such as SDI and SPDIF).
Any method of transferring digital data, such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) can potentially be used to transfer digital audiovisual files, but such technologies are not primarily associated with audio video signal data and so are not discussed here.
Read full advice document...Overview of JISC Digital Media Materials for Digitisation Project Staff
This guide provides an overview of the JISC Digital Media website materials we think digitisation project staff will find useful during the lifetime of a digitisation project.
Read full advice document...Links to Digital Media and Digital Preservation Organisations
The list below survey a selection of audiovisual and digital preservation related organisations and provides links to their websites.
Read full advice document...Budgeting for a Digitisation Project
It is not possible to provide detailed information on budgeting for a digitisation project; these costs will depend on the nature, condition and amount of analogue materials to be digitised and the extent and accuracy of existing metadata. However, some general advice which assigns comparative values to different activities within a project may help when planning a digitisation project.
Read full advice document...Audio/Video Production: Recording Lectures, Seminars and Events
The principles and practice of location recording of sound and video for educational use.
In this paper we discuss requirements and issues to consider when recording events. We look at both sound-only and combined sound-and-vision recording. The discussion focuses on considerations applicable to any scenario the reader may encounter; for issues specific to different types of event the reader is directed to the appropriate Basic Guide.
We conclude with some example scenarios.
Read full advice document...Learning Lessons from Other Digitisation Projects
This document proposes a number of potential challenges associated with the digitisation of a collection. It then examines the value of lessons learned from previous projects when attempting to meet those challenges. It is intended to be of use to resource management staff considering the digitisation of all or part of their collection.
Read full advice document...Project Management for a Digitisation Project
This paper takes a look at the role and responsibilities of the digitisation project manager. It addresses common managerial challenges such balancing the expectations of stakeholders and ensuring the of quality of output. It is intended to be of use to the management team of time limited digitisation projects or to resource management staff planning to digitise their collection.
Read full advice document...Digitisation Staff Training
This paper takes a general looks at the staffing issues related to a digitisation project from a management perspective. It is intended to be of use to resource management staff considering the digitisation of all or part of their collection.
Read full advice document...Deciding to Digitise
This brief document takes an introductory view of pre-digitisation project considerations. It is intended to be of use to resource management staff considering the digitisation of all or part of their collection.
Read full advice document...Risk Assessment for Digitisation Projects
This paper identifies some of the more common risks associated with a digitisation project. It is intended to be of use to the management team of time limited digitisation projects or to permanent collection management staff planning to digitise.
Read full advice document...Quality Assurance and Digitisation Projects
This document examines issues relating to quality assurance from a project management perspective. It proposes a four-layer model for assuring quality and looks at some of the more common reasons for problems with output quality. This document is intended to be used by collection managers intending to digitise their resources or by managers of digitisation projects.
Read full advice document...To Outsource or to Digitise In-house?
This document is intended to inform the managers of analogue collections which have been identified for digitisation. It looks at the pros and cons of outsourcing digitisation work before contrasting these with carrying out work in-house.
Read full advice document...Selection Procedures: Text Version of Decision Tree Diagram
This is a text version of the 'Decision tree (simplified)' diagram in the Selection Procedures for Digitisation document.
Read full advice document...Selection Procedures for Digitisation
This document looks at points to consider when developing a selection criteria for digitisation. Some of the points made here will not be relevant to all projects and collections, but the document has been designed to serve as a useful overview and to stimulate some further thinking and research. It is intended to be of use to resource managers who intend to digitise all or part of their collection.
Read full advice document...Sustainability of Digital Collections
Once funding for a digitisation project comes to an end, how will you ensure the long term sustainability of your newly-created collection? This is a fundamental question that needs to be addressed at the outset of the project. This document looks at different approaches to sustainability and discusses the factors you need to take into consideration when planning for sustainability. We will highlight the practical steps a project can take and examine various options for financing the ongoing maintenance and availability of the collection beyond the life of the project.
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Training courses tagged 'digitisation'
Digitising Grooved Discs and Open Reel Audio
This course is designed to meet the requirements of staff in libraries, archives and other related institutions needing to digitise existing analogue collections. The course builds on our Digitising Analogue Audio workshop, by introducing a range of legacy audio media and examining them in more detail.
The workshop will provide the opportunity to both handle these media and configure the equipment needed for their successful playback. A recommended, pragmatic workflow will be followed.
Essential theoretical and interesting historical information is included which together contribute to understanding: the development of audio recording technologies; how to handle and best reproduce each medium; how to digitise each medium to archival standard.
Read course description...Digitising Analogue Video Recordings
Over the past fifty years the videotape has grown from an obscure television production tool into a vibrant and vital social document. But videotape has proved to be a fragile long-term medium and its contents are at risk. This risk can only be mitigated through careful planning. This workshop will investigate the challenges associated with the preservation of videotapes. Through practical exercises, we will look at how digitising materials to archival standards can both safeguard and help develop a collection. We will also look at the challenge of creating a sustainable digital collection. Quality assurance procedures and best practice will be referred to throughout.
Read course description...Advanced Techniques in Digital Image Capture
This course looks at the technical background behind, and procedures for, image capture and optimisation delivered through hands-on activities. This workshop will teach you how to produce the correct end product for your intended purpose and teach you the easy 'science' of scanning to remove the guesswork from your image capture.
Read course description...Essential Techniques in Digital Image Capture
This entry level course provides an easy to understand theoretical overview of digital images and image capture combined with practical exercises using both a scanner and digital SLR camera for those getting started with creating digital images.
Read course description...Digitising Analogue Audio
To meet the skills required by libraries, archives and institutions to digitise their existing analogue collections, this course aims to provide a complete introduction to the theory and practicalities of successfully digitising analogue audio resources. The workshop will provide hands-on tuition alongside presenting theoretical knowledge with group discussions of topics surrounding the digital lifecycle, in a digitisation project based context. The workshop has been designed as a precursor for our more technical, media specific training modules. The practical elements will involve digitising audiocassette tapes as example media.
Read course description...Digital Media Restoration
Analogue media deteriorates at an alarming rate and few digitisation projects can hope to retrieve great signals from aged collections. In order to archive maximum usefulness some basic digital remastering is often required. Fortunately, today's digital tools mean we can easily remove unwanted 'defects' whether hisses and scratches from shellac discs or the distorted colours of old videotapes
n.b. This course covers digital restoration of audio-visual resources only. It does not cover restoration of still images
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Blog entries tagged 'digitisation'
How to photograph or scan those tricky objects
We have just published a new advice document on scanning and photography.
Read blog entry...Catch a wave - uncompressed digital audio
We’ve just published a new advice document covering uncompressed audio file formats.
Read blog entry...Negative thinking
We have just released a new advice document looking at the different materials used to make film for stills and moving images.
Read blog entry...Choosing an Audio Interface - The Trilogy
Three new advice documents designed to assist you in choosing an audio interface for your computer system.
Read blog entry...There can be only One…
New entry-level audio interface from industry heavyweights Apogee, aimed squarely at the podcaster, but boasting quality suitable for serious music usage.
Read blog entry...Free-to-attend digitisation seminars
JISC Digital Media have just announced a series of free-to-attend seminars in September.
Read blog entry...New digital restoration course among autumn training dates
The keen-eyed among you will have already noticed we have just released details of our new training programme for September to December.
Read blog entry...New DACS licence for museums and heritage organisations in the pipeline
On Thursday 2nd July I attended a Museums Copyright Group meeting at which John Robinson, Director of Legal and International at DACS, presented a proposal for a new Museums and Heritage Copyright Licence.
Read blog entry...Video training course - place available
UPDATE: 24th April now full, next available date 4th August. Following a cancellation, we have a spare place on our new Digitising Analogue Video Recordings training course on Fri 24th April.
Read blog entry...Unlocking Audio at the British Library
JISC Digital Media will be at the Unlocking Audio conference at the British Library on Monday and Tuesday next week (16-17 March).
Read blog entry...Pendulum Music - a location recording case study
As an accompanying piece to my installation next week of Steve Reich’s Pendulum Music, I’ve been asked to provide an ambient sound bed, which will play between the ‘performances’ of the Pendulum Music which take place over the course of a week.
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Training courses
- Digitising Analogue Video Recordings 22 March 2010
- Digital Media Restoration 14 April 2010
