Preserve Audiovisual/Film

Audiovisual/Film

How to Transfer Video from Tape, DVD or Camera to Your Computer (PDF, 242 KB)

Film Forever
The Home Film Preservation Guide. Includes tips on how to preserve your home movies on a budget. Association of Moving Image Archivists (AIMA)

Little Film
Information about home movie preservation, history and lab services. Written by Toni Treadway.

Care, Handling and Storage of Motion Picture Film
Library of Congress
This brief article, based on the Library of Congress’ own preservation practices, discusses various types of motion picture film and offers best practices for the handling and storage of film.

Association of Moving Image Archivists' Amateur Film/Small Gauge Interest Group
Group for archivists interested in amateur film preservation. Includes instructions on joining Smallgauge, a listserve for discussion of amateur and 8mm film issues.

Home Movies: A History of the Amateur Motion Picture Industry in the United States
A page dedicated to Alan Kattelle's book on amateur film history, including ordering information.

8mm Film Format Metadirectory
A comprehensive directory on all aspects of 8mm and super 8 filmmaking.

One Hundred Years of Film Sizes
A historical look at the development of amateur and professional film gauges.

Videotape Identification and Assessment Guide
Texas Commission on the Arts
This guide, aimed at museum professionals with video tape collections but little to no specialty training or equipment, provides illustrated information on identifying formats, understanding longevity risks, assessing condition, and possible conservation actions. It's also available as a 55 page PDF.

Videotape Preservation Factsheets
Association of Moving Image Archivists (AIMA)
This series of 18 factsheets (42 pages total), published by AMIA, covers a wide range of information about videotape preservation for custodians of archival tape

Cylinder, Disc, and Tape Care in a Nutshell
Library of Congress
This factsheet, based on the Library of Congress’ own preservation practices, offers best practices for storage, handling, and cleaning of cylinders, discs, and open reel and cassette tapes. It includes an extensive bibliography and list of suppliers.