Preserving our cultural heritage by assisting archives, libraries & other organizations with the conversion of analog video recordings to digital formats
About Us
Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound (MIPoPS) supports video tape digitization and preservation by archives, museums, libraries, historical societies, science and art organizations, and related institutions that have analog video in their collections but have neither the resources nor expertise to address it. Because most institutions no longer possess video tape decks, they might not be able to identify the content of their tapes. MIPOPS provides guidance in identifying tape format, content and condition and will advise on known, format-specific preservation issues. Based on this initial evaluation, MIPOPS can help determine whether use of the MIPOPS transfer station is appropriate for a collection.
MIPoPS can work with a variety of videotape formats including 3⁄4" Umatic, VHS, Betacam (SP and Digital), MiniDV, 1", and DVCam. Using the MIPOPS video transfer station, users can create a preservation-quality digital file (ffv1 format, recognized by moving image archivists) and an access copy (mp4). MIPoPS will advise on maintaining the original material as well as the newly created digital files. Participants will be asked to have at least one migrated video posted to the MIPoPS Internet Archive site.
Mission: Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound is a non-profit 501-(c)(3) corporation formed to help preserve our cultural heritage by assisting archives, libraries, and other organizations with the conversion of analog video recordings to digital formats according to archival best practices.
What to expect when you visit us
MIPoPS is a membership-based non-profit, and use of the MIPoPS digitization station requires a service agreement. To become a MIPoPS member, please contact us. Reviewing and answering the questions in Planning Your Project will help you define your needs.
Following is a guide to using the MIPoPS digitization station:
Workstation space is limited: contact MIPoPS at least two days in advance to schedule an appointment.
MIPoPS is located on Floor 3 of City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, 98014. Entrances are on Fourth and Fifth Avenues and on Cherry Street. Public transportation is the best option as parking in the vicinity is expensive, though there are several parking garages nearby.
Check in with the reception desk for the Office of the City Clerk and we will escort you to the MIPoPS space.
Bring a portable hard drive formatted for your office environment - windows or mac.
Videos are digitized in real time; you might not want to bring more than you have time for.
Be sure to label your cartridge cases and hard drive with your institution's name.
Three primary steps included:
1.digitizing video tape
2.selecting the correct preservation and access file formats for your institution
3.copying files onto your media.
MIPoPS does not provide storage space for either analog objects or digital files. Be prepared to take your items with you at the end of the day.
Do as much appraisal as possible in advance.
If possible, tell us in advance which formats you'll be bringing in. We can digitize VHS, U-Matic, Betcam SP, Digital Betacam, Hi 8, Mini DV and DV Cam
If labels are not adhered well to your cassettes, please remove them. Have info about what's on the label written somewhere else, if you think you'll need it.
Refer to the document: "Preparing Video for Capture"
Let us know what file formats you would like your video transferred to. If you need formats other than mpeg4 and ffv1 please let us know ahead of time, as we will need to modify the ffmpeg digital migration script. Please email or call and we can discuss your needs.
Expect to work one-on-one with someone on your first visit; it won't be long before you'll be on your own, but even then there will be someone there to help if you need it.
