Identification of Audio and Moving Image Content

There are many resources that can aid in identifying the audio and moving image materials in a collection. Some helpful identification resources are listed below. If you are unable to identify any of the media in your collection, talk to your supervisor and contact the Manager of Audio and Moving Image Description.

All Formats

University of Illinois Preservation Self-Assessment Program is a helpful guide for identifying most common audio and moving image formats.

The National Archives preservation site has a section on archival formats, which includes sections for audio, video, and film. The Museum of Obsolete Media is helpful if you encounter less common or rare audio and moving image formats.

Video

The Texas Commission on the Arts Videotape Identification and Assessment Guide is a useful resource for information about all video tape formats.

Film 

Brian Pritchard’s site has a guide to identifying both 16mm and 35mm film.

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia has a short technical guide to film types.

Preservation Issues

Often AMI with preservation issues is discovered during accessioning, and physically separated from the collection. The Manager of Audio and Moving Image Description and Collection Manager will assess the preservation concerns and determine whether the materials will need to be sent to a vendor for remediation. However, you still may encounter additional AMI content with preservation issues during your appraisal or inventory. Some common issues are mold and film with vinegar syndrome. The filmcare.org site is a useful resource in helping to identify potential preservation issues. If you are unsure if something is an AMI preservation issue, reach out to the Manager of Audio and Moving Image Description and Collection Management for guidance.