Preservation

Digital Output from Motion Picture Film Source

Preservation Master:

This type of product meets high-to-maximum quality capture specifications, satisfying long-term preservation needs. It may take the place of the original record if the original is/were to be destroyed, damaged, or not retained. The original characteristics of the source object determine the products created.

Desired Product Outcomes Product Scope Original Characteristics Product Name
Record Type Format Condition

Customer needs:

  • Create a digital copy because the source item is at high risk for loss of information (usually due to deterioration or obsolescence).

 

Product solution:

  • The final product should be at high-to-maximum information capture standards that capture a high degree of visual information beyond just the content and satisfy long term preservation needs.
  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long term.
  • This file satisfies long–term preservation needs.
  • Because of the high capture specifications, this file could confidently take the place of the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
  • This file can make other files including exhibition/broadcast-quality files, reproduction masters, and distribution copies.
Motion Picture Film (with or without composite optical sound) All 35mm film/16mm Kodachrome and camera original Advanced deterioration Motion Picture Film Maximum Capture - 4K DPX
[MPD-P1]
All other 16mm film Advanced deterioration Motion Picture Film Maximum Capture - 2K DPX
[MPD-P2]
Motion Picture Film Separate Sound Track ONT/DNT/MPT/MAG Advanced deterioration Motion Picture Film Maximum Capture - Soundtrack Audio Data WAV
[MPD-P6]

Reproduction Master:

This type of product meets moderate-to-high quality capture specifications and may be used as a source for lower-quality derivative files. These products are not optimal for replacing the original record if the original is damaged, destroyed, or not retained. The original characteristics of the source object determine the products created.

Desired Product Outcomes Product Scope Original Characteristics Product Name
Record Type Format Condition

Customer needs:

  • Create a digital copy to minimize risk due to frequent handling or high use (but not address high risk of information loss due to deterioration or obsolescence), and/or
  • improve access options (including exhibits or screenings).

 

Product solution:

  • The final product should range from minimum-acceptable to less than high-to-maximum information capture levels to satisfy limited risk and access needs when maximum quality levels are not needed.
  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long term because it represents a significant time and resource investment and/or is required to complete a set of record elements.
  • This file satisfies most researcher requests and also limits preservation risks, including loss, theft, and mishandling.
  • Because the capture/transfer specifications are closer to or at the minimum recommended level, this file would not be an optimal substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
  • This file can be generated from a preservation master or be the highest quality file created in a project. The file is managed and retained even if derived from a preservation master.
  • This file can make other files including distribution copies.

Motion Picture Film (with or without composite optical sound), or

Preservation Master Digital Files

All 35 mm and 16mm film, or

DPX file sequence

Stable Condition Motion Picture Film Reproduction Master - 4K ProRes 4444 MOV [MPD-R1]

Motion Picture Film (with or without composite optical sound), or

Preservation Master Digital Files

All 35 mm and 16mm film, or

DPX file sequence

Stable Condition Motion Picture Film Reproduction Master - HD AVI [MPD-R2]
Reproduction Master Digital File

4K MOV, or

HD AVI

N/A Motion Picture Film Reproduction Master Derivative - HD MP4 [MPD-R3]

Motion Picture Film Separate Sound Track, or

Preservation Master Digital File

ONT/DNT/MPT/MAG, or

WAV

Stable Condition Motion Picture Film Reproduction Master - Soundtrack Audio Data WAV [MPD-R6]

Customer needs:

  • Create digital files for specific internal exhibit, theatrical exhibition, or production purposes requiring a high quality copy, and/or
  • the condition of the film does not require the creation and retention of preservation master files.

 

Product solution:

  • The final product should be at high-to-maximum information capture standards that fulfill project requirements.
  • This product is delivered to the customer and not retained in a managed storage system. If needed, 4K and HD derivative files will be created and retained as described above.
  • Because the film is not transported to a vendor for transfer, this product limits preservation risks, including loss, theft, and mishandling.
  • This file can be used by the customer to make other files, including distribution copies.

Motion Picture Film (with or without composite optical sound)

All 35 mm and 16mm film Stable Condition Motion Picture Film DPX Capture for Exhibition [MPD-R7]

Customer needs:

  • Create enhanced digital files for specific project or exhibition purposes.

 

Product solution:

  • The final product will include digital alterations to improve the appearance of the image and should always be differentiated from source files that have not been digitally enhanced or altered.
  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long term because it represents a significant time and resource investment and is very likely to be reused.
  • This file can make other files, but all derivatives must also be identified as the restored version of the record.
  • This file is not intended to substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.
Preservation Master Digital Files DPX file sequence N/A Motion Picture Film Restoration Master DPX [MPD-R8]

Distribution Copies:

This type of product satisfies most reference needs and cannot be used to create derivatives. They are not intended as a substitute for the original record if the original is damaged, destroyed, or not retained.

Desired Product Outcomes Product Scope Original Characteristics Product Name
Record Type Format

Customer needs:

  • Create digital files for specific distribution and access systems, and/or
  • there is no reason to retain the files after the distribution or access goal is met.

 

Product solution:

  • The final product should meet the file requirements of the specific delivery systems. In general, these products emphasize small file sizes and faster transfer rates over high quality levels.

Files Are Not Retained​

  • This file is retained only as long as needed to satisfy a specific distribution need. It is not actively managed over a long term.
  • Other files would not be generated from this file.
  • This file is not intended to substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable

Reproduction Master Digital File

4K MOV,

HD AVI, or

HD MP4

Motion Picture Film Reference Delivery HD MP4 [MPD-D1]
Reproduction Master Digital File

4K MOV,

HD AVI, or

HD MP4

 

(via temporary SD MPEG-2)

DVD from Motion Picture Film Original [MPD-D2]

Reproduction Master Digital File

 

4K MOV,

HD AVI, or

HD MP4

Motion Picture Film HD MP4 (Custom Bitrate) [MPD-D4]
Preservation Master or Reproduction Master Digital File WAV Motion Picture Film Reference Delivery MP3 [MPD-D6]
Reproduction Master Digital File

4K MOV,

HD AVI, or

HD MP4

Motion Picture Film HD MP4 for Streaming Service Upload [MPD-D7]
Project dependent Project dependent Other/Project Specific Motion Picture Film Derivative [MPD-D99]

DPX file sequence (and WAV if there is synced audio),

4K MOV, or

HD AVI

Customer needs:

  • Create digital cinema packages for specific distribution and access systems.

 

Product solution:

  • The final product should be valid DCP files for theater playback. These files are maintained because they represent a significant time and resource investment.

Files Are Retained

  • This file is placed in a managed storage environment and retained for the long term because it represents a significant time and resource investment and reuse is likely.
  • Other files would not be generated from this file.
  • This file is not intended to substitute for the original record if the original record is no longer viable.

Reproduction Master Digital File

Digital Cinema Package (DCP) [MPD-D3]
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