Videotape Ingest Specialist

The Videotape Ingest Specialist plays a crucial role in preserving and managing our valuable video content. They are responsible for digitizing and ingesting analog videotapes into digital formats, ensuring their accessibility, quality, and long-term preservation. This position requires expertise in common VTR (Video Tape Recorder) formats, encoding, and file formats.

Key Responsibilities:

Tape Ingestion:

• Ingest analog videotapes (such as Beta, U-matic 3/4", 1" videotape, and 2" videotape) into digital files using specialized equipment.
• Verify the integrity of the source tapes and ensure proper handling during the ingest process.
• Maintain accurate records of ingested materials.
• Convert analog video signals to digital formats (e.g., MPEG-2, XDCAM, ProRes) suitable for archival storage and distribution.
• Familiarity with codecs, bit rates, and compression settings.

Quality Control:

• Monitor and assess the quality of digitized content, addressing any issues related to audio/video synchronization, dropouts, or artifacts.
• Perform basic video and audio restoration when necessary.

Metadata Management:

• Add descriptive metadata to ingested files.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy in metadata entry.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with archivists, curators, and other team members to prioritize ingest requests.
• Assist in fulfilling news production requests and sales inquiries.

Software Proficiency:

• Familiarity with Avid Media Asset Management (MAM) system for cataloging and tracking media assets.
• Experience with the Rohde & Schwarz VENICE Encoder for efficient video compression and transcoding.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Library Science, Film Studies, or a related field (preferred).
• Proficiency in operating VTR equipment, including Beta, U-Matic 3/4", 1" videotape, and 2" videotape machines.
• Knowledge of video encoding standards and file formats.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Understanding of archival principles and preservation best practices.

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