5 5. CONCLUSIONS

Digital video microscopy is a valuable tool for such purposes as pretreatment testing, identifying materials, and creating image data reference files. Its affordable cost and ease of use make it a very attractive addition to almost any existing photomicroscopy system that is equipped with a video camera by installing a video capture card and graphic software. The video capture card has the additional advantage of creating real-time movies, which are valuable for recording the physical behavior characteristics of various materials as well as for training purposes. In the future, advances in hardware and software digital technology will make digital video microscopy even more powerful, flexible, and affordable for the conservator. The several examples of practical applications of digital video microscopy highlighted here can only be expanded and enhanced as the process becomes more widely used over the broad range of specializations in conservation.