To successfully carry out the process of digitizing images, it is necessary to previously carry out a study that answers the following questions: What do you want to digitize? and how is it going to be digitized? having defined the types of documents, the video format, the size, the resolution and the quality, the process will be easier and more effective.
By Víctor Alejandro Galvis González
Whether it's analyzing data, introspecting, or simply reviewing files, institutions need a fast system that allows them to analyze their information; this content, regardless of the industry in which the company operates, is handled in a large percentage by means of documents.
Protecting and storing them properly has become a priority in organizations. However, immediate and organized access to this information is also necessary, consequently the digitization of images has begun to be taken into account.
Digitization is known as the conversion of content to digital format through a procedure of capture, processing and storage, in order to preserve, preserve and disseminate the information contained therein.
Likewise, companies dedicated to the audio and video industry, since the end of the last century with the birth of the first digital audiovisual archives, have seen in this process the solution to store and distribute their material.
Depending on the type of information you want to take to the digital plane, you can categorize the digitization of images, since for each of them the process is different. In this way, this mechanism could be seen from three points of view: documentary digitization, audiovisual digitization and digitization for real-time transmission processes, used in videoconferences, surveillance and broadcast.
The objective of the digitization of images is to provide three great advantages with the information: store it, since it occupies less physical space, search for it, since being indexed it is easier to find and distribute it, because it is easier to share it when you only have to send a link or attach it.
"These advantages make organizations much more productive and efficient in decision-making and in the implementation of strategies," says Joan Manuel Baracaldo, general manager of IP Services, a company dedicated to the digitization of images.
"On the subject of digitization in security cameras, the advantages are given in the quality of the recordings, having a high-quality digitized image the recordings are much greater and information is obtained that can be relevant at the time of an event," said Baracaldo.
Audiovisual digitization
The digitization or analog-digital conversion basically consists of the processing of an analog signal, (8mm film, Beta video, VHS, cassette audio tapes, vinyl record, photography, etc.) to generate a series of numerical values, that is, a representation in digital format.
The digitization can be done sequentially or by video segments and then view them on any computer. A video is digitized when it wants to be distributed in bulk, since the cost of duplicating CD-Rs is cheaper than copying it to VHS tapes.
For digital audiovisual material, technological systems have been developed whose objectives are not only to digitize and manage its subsequent cataloging and storage, but also the search for models and solutions that allow access to them and that are available from any computer or computer connected in network, whether local, national or international.
"In the case of videos and audios, most devices of this type already perform digital recording, however for analog systems (VHS, Beta etc), the process is done by means of computers with video capture systems and recording software, the capture card performs the process of digitizing the audio and video signals and the software performs the recording and encoding to digital formats of video (mp4, avi, mpeg etc.) ", explains Joan Baracaldo.
Indeed, any technological proposal for the creation of digital audiovisual archives is based on a set of integrated systems that allow the intervention, development and control at all times of the processes of recording, cataloguing, consultation, management, access and retrieval of video and audio content.
With the development of digital audiovisual file systems, an effective and efficient integration of the entire workflow can be obtained under a centralized information system that serves to feed, document and access the archived audiovisual funds.
How does this market move?
According to Baracaldo's statements, the issue of documentary digitization "is growing significantly and the audiovisual issue is much slower, but it is expected that with the appearance of Youtube and the use that people are giving to this type of tools, the documentation of projects will begin to be enriched with videos and audios to improve the quality of their information."
A key point for the growth of this market is that companies begin to adopt the culture of digitalizing, especially that SMEs begin to use software tools for their accounting and production processes (sales, production, etc.).
The acquisition of HD solutions is the next step, in terms of technology refers to the digitization of images, while in the region a definitive culture can be adopted. In the case of the ip services company, for example, its percentages reflect a little the digital culture demanded by the region: interactive meetings (60%), audiovisual digitization (15%), IP video surveillance (20%) and other products 5%.
Why is it important?
Radio, cinema, documentaries or any other production comprising images and recorded sound, according to UNESCO is considered audio-visual heritage material. Such is the importance of preserving these archives, that this organization designated October 27 as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.
The aim of that day is to raise awareness about the fragility and vulnerability of this heritage, while paying tribute to the institutions that have helped protect it.
It is precisely in this process of protection, where the digitization of images comes to participate.
The digitalization of processes, systems and audiovisual materials is causing important changes in the work of documentation, to the point that it is breaking a paradigm in the analysis of this type of material.
For example, in the medium term conservation, it will mean the definitive disappearance of magnetic supports and their replacement by optical and other supports. In addition, storage, transmission and processing capacities increase considerably while reducing costs.
As far as communication is concerned, the change of approach is also remarkable, now networking allows real-time consultation with teleloading and online stepping, with an increase in the potential of users, since in transactions they will be developed almost entirely in a web environment.
The process of digitizing audiovisual material goes through different stages, first you start by digitizing the existing funds, launching the digital capture and organizing the storage in the appropriate computer supports.
Subsequently, the indexing of documentary, legal and commercial data, for the construction of thematic offers. Finally, distribution planning, either through the internet, by creating new procedures and working methods, looking for new customers and competencies.
As for storage systems, digital video servers are the ones that are in the focus of audiovisual producers. These specialized computer systems are equipped with a large storage capacity and are capable of allowing the circulation of several continuous and simultaneous digital streams of video to clients through one or more networks.
