Re: [AV Media Matters] Digitizing Audio and Video-ReallyBigPost

[alyssa@musicnorth.com]

Hi Jim,

AIT over DLT was suggested to me by the Eastern Canada sales rep. at 
Lacie, who seems to think it is more reliable than DLT. When (if) it 
comes down to my spending the $1000 for the drive, I will look into 
this more thoroughly. But basically, seems some kind of data tape is 
what I am leaning toward.

I guess I'm leaning toward tape, because I just don't see other options 
presented to me that I would trust. Mind you, I have heard that MO is 
very reliable, but I can't seem to get too much information on it these 
days; though there seems to be a new MO format coming out with a larger 
capacity (Ultra Density Optical - UDO). Also, the question will be, 
will MO be so marginally used that hardware and media will be an issue 
- and when?

What it boils down to for me is:

I don't trust CDs. I have had too many problems with them over the 
years. I also just had a stint at the National Library of Canada 
transferring their CD collection (one offs; some of the Gould material 
that had been previously transferred from tape, etc.) onto hard disk 
(server), and that only reinforced my views on CDs being indeed 
enticingly shiny creatures, but not ones I trust. I admit that I 
haven't _yet_ had problems [that I have found] with my personal 
collection of the HHB Golds. I especially don't like that the surface 
is exposed on CDs - maybe that Blu-ray will improve the matter, but I 
am still skeptical, and remain to be convinced.

Leaving things on a hard drive stored away doesn't seem to be 
considered desirable either.

So where does that leave me? Back to tape. I have had a miserable time 
over the years with drop outs on DATs, so I admit I am still nervous 
about data tapes. That's where my friend came in, who has restored many 
many data tapes over the years with audio on them. He told me he 
recently pulled some audio that had been sitting on a tape for 10 years 
without a hitch. One person does not a trend make, but my colleague has 
a huge library of original sound effects, that have been collected over 
the past 25+/- years, and are constantly drawn upon.

Plus the computer industry in general seems to find tape backup their 
media of choice, and speaking with IT friends of mine, their thoughts 
also consistently point toward tape.

I guess what it comes down to for me is that none of it seems like a 
good idea. How about a chisel and a rock with some 0's and 1's?

Best,

Alyssa.


On Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at 10:29  AM, Jim Wheeler wrote:

> Alyssa
>
> I am interested in knowing why you chose AIT over LTO?
>
> Just because you know of someone who has had success or failure with a
> particular media/format, does not directly translate to that being a
> good
> media/format.  There are too many variables in the equation.
>
> Backcoated tapes do not require exercising.
>
> Jim Wheeler

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