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The following documents and references are provided as resources for the digitization of both audio-visual and still image digital content.  These have been created and compiled to assist practitioners, students and others, both as a discipline as well as a component of digital conversion projects. These items have been produced by the members of FADGI, and more items will be added as they become available.

While no hard cutoff date was used in selecting guidelines, standards and other documents, they have all been reviewed for current relevance. Because referenced documents may change, please refer to the online version of documents rather than print copies, particularly with regard to standards.

Each of these resources has been developed or recommended by the Audio Visual and/or Still Image Working Group. The resources are listed by working group source and type below. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

FADGI does not review, certify, or endorse commercial products. This includes all software and hardware used to create and manage digital content. If a commercial entity uses the term “FADGI” or references a FADGI resource or document, it has not be authorized by FADGI to do so. FADGI does not maintain lists or other information about commercial products that claim FADGI conformance. All references to commercial products in FADGI documents are examples, and not recommendations or mandates to use those products.

Audio-Visual Resources
Software and Tools

ADCTest

BWF MetaEdit
Link to MediaArea

embARC

MXF Sample Files

Articles

Format Considerations in Audio Visual Preservation Reformatting (PDF, 528 KB)
By Carl Fleischhauer, Library of Congress, Information Standards Quarterly | Spring 2010

Still Image Resources
Documentation

Gap Analysis
By Still Image Working Group | January 12, 2010

M-19-21 Memorandum on Transition to Electronic Records
By National Arcives and Records Administration and OMB | June 28, 2019

Presentations

Evaluating Digitization and Digitization Equipment (PDF, 2.5 MB)
By Michael Stelmach, Library of Congress

Imaging Science for Archivists (PPT, 5.9 MB)
By Don Williams, Image Science Associates | November 10, 2009

Measuring and Monitoring Cultural Heritage Digital Image Quality (PPT, 15 MB)
By Don Williams, Image Science Associates | June 6, 2017

Software and Tools

OpenDICE and AutoSFR
Current Version December 2021

General Resources
Presentations

Federal Digitization – Moving to Common Guidelines (PDF, 2.28 MB)
By Michael Stelmach and Carl Fleischhauer, Library of Congress | 2009

Reports

JPEG 2000 Lossy Compression (PDF, 1.6 MB)
By Robert Buckley for the Library of Congress | March 12, 2013

Workshops

JPEG 2000 Summit Workshop
Library of Congress, Washington, DC | May 12-13, 2011

Working Groups

Still Image Working Group
This group is involved in a cooperative effort to develop common digitization guidelines for still image materials.

Audio-Visual Working Group
This group works collaboratively on common and sustainable technical guidelines, methods, and practices for digitized and born digital sound recordings and moving images.

Last Updated: 11/15/2023