AV Data Core Infrastructure Upgrade for Audiovisual Scanning and Preservation

Description:

This project will support acquisition of film and media evaluation and cleaning equipment. These infrastructure upgrades will enhance and promote the longevity of the existing media digitization and preservation suite; rescue and preserve deteriorating films in the collections of the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, UW Libraries, PBS Wisconsin and UW Athletics; increase data preservation throughput and capacity; and significantly increase the competitiveness of campus principal investigators who are applying for extramural research grants that engage with audiovisual materials and culture.

Equipment acquisition includes a film evaluator, LTO writer, data storage expansion, network array, and three tape format evaluators. A film evaluator allows staff to clean the film prior to scanning, resulting in a much-improved image, and preventing dirt and dust from clogging the mechanics of the scanner. The tape evaluator will do the same for video materials.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Eric Hoyt, professor of communication arts and director of the AV Data Core, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, and the Media History Digital Library

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Peter Sengstock, director of media services for the Department of Communication Arts

CO-INVESTIGATORS:

Jason Lopez, assistant professor of communication arts

Catherine Phan, digital and media archivist for UW Libraries

Amanda Smith, head film archivist for the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research

Ann Wilkens, moving image archivist for PBS Wisconsin

CORE: 

AV Data Core