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Archive Videotape

Convert videotaped programming to digital files

Valuable video programs archived on videotape can be lost forever as even the most carefully stored footage degrades with time.  Programs archived on videotape should be converted to a digital master file for long-term storage.  This service is available from A Cut Above; we have multiple videotape formats for video conversions to backup master tapes.  To ensure the full quality of the master tape is preserved all digital video decks are interfaced via an uncompressed SDI connection or through FireWire retaining the original CODEC's quality for all remastered programs.  1" Type C and 3/4" Umatic SP analog videotapes are transferred using full bandwidth SDI video for archiving.  Virtually any CODEC can be used for final preservation, but we prefer either ProRes 422 or QuickTime Photo-JPEG; both of these CODECs are compatible with most current edit systems.  We can provide you the digitized remastered video on DVD, Blu-ray or hard drive.  Master DVD authoring from your existing video taped masters can give your old programming new life.  Audio tapes are typically backed up as un-compressed digital audio files on CD or DVD.

After your footage is converted to a digital file we can remaster the video and audio including color correction and image restoration; audio can be enhanced to minimize or eliminate noise, correct audio levels and better equalize the program.  The result can be a remastered digital file of improved audio and video quality compared to the original master tape.

A Cut Above plays back and digitizes video exclusively using broadcast video decks: Sony BVH-2000 one inch Type C, Sony BVU-950 3/4 inch Umatic SP, Sony DVW-500A Digital Betacam (with Betacam SP and Betacam playback), Sony DSR-1500A DVCAM, Panasonic AJ-HD1400 DVCPRO HD (with DVCPRO 50 and DVCPRO playback).  Audio playback is available from 1/4 inch half track and quarter track reel to reel audio tape (15 & 7.5 IPS) or from DAT.  Non-broadcast formats are not supported.

For analog tape transfer and restoration from videotape formats such as one inch Type C (with Dolby A audio option) and 3/4 inch Umatic SP, finding facilities is becoming more difficult, especially at a facility offering digital mastering services.  A Cut Above has been in the broadcast video business since 1988 and has maintained all of its critical videotape playback capabilities.  We have the right equipment and experience to ensure the best quality digital master file converted from your videotape archives.

Supported Video & Audio Tape Formats

Long-Term Video Archive as Digital Files

1 inch Type C

3/4 inch Umatic SP, 3/4" Umatic

Betacam SP, Betacam

Digital Betacam

DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO

DVCAM

1/4 inch Half Track Audio Tape Reel-to-Reel (7.5 or 15 ips)

1/4 inch Quarter Track Audio Tape Reel-to-Reel (7.5 or 15 ips)

Digital Audio Tape, DAT

Sample Capture and Digitizing from Videotape Pricing

Converted to ProRes 422, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DV50 or DV (as needed)

1 hour program from 1 inch Type C, Digital Betacam or DVCPRO 50: $210*

13 half hour programs from 3/4 inch Umatic SP, 3/4", Betacam SP, Betacam, DVCAM or DV:  $870* (less than $67 each)

* Excludes cost of your selected delivery medium