best format for archiving???

[iamu3]

I was just wondering: What is the best format for archiving?? by that I mean, if you were to create a file that would be reasonably small (not like DVD) but would have the best quality and be able to convert to other formats if needed without loosing too much quality, what would you use?? I was thinking possibly using divx for archiving as I believe it gets the smallest size and has the best quality. I don't have a dvd burner and those files would be too big for archiving many video clips/movies/etc. Also, would there be a difference in the quality for animated clips as opposed to real live clips. Just thought this might be good info for people to have. thanks in advance

[Keitaro]

if you are looking for size divx is the way

[easydvd]

I HATE DivX........however

Archiving is the only thing that I personally believe it's good for. If it's only for archival purposes this shit rocks. Small filesize etc.

[thxkid]

Divx, as long as you never want to try to to use Adobe premeire or Ulead Media Pro to edit it.

[iamu3]

but you should be able to convert divx to other formats then be able to edit them easily without losing quality yes? that's basically what I'm trying to figure out. if I were to record stuff so that I could keep quality. basically like image formats. you don't want your archival stuff to be jpg because it's lossy. you would keep stuff in tif or psd or something because if you keep editing a jpg, each time you save it you would lose more quality. so i'm thinking divx should be the best for archiving stuff that you may want to work with at a later date or use multiple times for projects yes?? you should be able to convert divx to other formats yes?

[BJ_M]

hmm divx is a whole lot lossy ... (im not a big fan) ..
jpeg or mjpeg seq frames are a very good option in reality - because jpeg frames stored at quality 80 -90 - 100 are great quality ... before you edit them you convert to avi uncompressed (fake avi wrapper is fine) or targa or tiff seq files ..

mjpeg for loooong term storage could be a problem as there are so many standards for mjpeg -- but jpeg is, im reaonably sure, will be with us for a long long time ..

[regain]

mjpeg for loooong term storage could be a problem as there are so many standards for mjpeg

Well, why should it be a problem as long as you also keep in the computer (or archived in CD) the MJPEG codec (e.g. Pic, Morgan) that is originally used to compress the AVI, so that the codec can be used later to open the MJPEG-compressed avi before editing/exporting in uncompressed avi/bmp/tiff? It is not like you have to DISTRIBUTE the MJPEG codec so that OTHER people can open the avi.

[VideoMann]

What you want is impossible>

If you want to archive something that you value, then you want the best quality. That means no compression. The most common then is AVI.
None of the following formats are considered suitable for compression
MPEG2(DVD)
MPEG1
MPEG4
DivX

MJPEG can be a second acceptable format to AVI if the parameters are set to the lowest compression rate.

You cannot transfer or re-encode from one format to another and expect to preserve quality. The smaller the file size (MPEG1/MPEG2/MPEG4/DivX) the more video data you threw away.

Going from one encoded movie to another encoder spells trouble in quality and artifacts because each encoder looks at different things in the video.

In otherwords, if you are serious about archiving keep your DV-tapes or transfer to DVD-MPEG2 but stay away from anything else.

If you just want a good picture today that will look lousy to you when DVD media hits low, low prices by next year or so then choose MPEG4/Divx, but archiving good quality you are not doing.

The only true archival DVD will be Blue Laser DVDs which may not be available for 3-5yrs storing 25-40Gb and beyond.

[miketree]

I know this may seem like a backward step, but have you thought of using vhs?

[teddymines]

For me, archiving means leaving it on the source medium. I have hi8mm tapes that are my archive. When the next best format comes around, I can capture from these tapes again. Sure, it will take a while, but it will always be the most economical and space conscious.

[iamu3]

so it looks like maybe capturing to avi and then compressing with something like RAR might be the best way to keep the quality and flexability but preserve space. except for keeping them on hi8 or something. what do you guys think of those digital vcrs that use normal tape? they been around for a while and it makes sense to store it on the tape as a digital signal and decode it during playback. kinda like the dat players/recorders. anybody every use one of these digital vcrs to record to tape?

[energy80s]

The problem with D-VHS is that no-one is buying it! DAT machines are an industry standard and will be around for quite a few years yet. I doubt if D-VHS will see out the next 5 years!

The best current format for archiving is mini DV. Although even this may not see out the decade.

[SatStorm]

D VHS is the best semi-pro solution in my opinion, but the players are expensive. Also, the life of the tapes is like VHS: About 20 years...

Next to that, you go for Mjpeg or DVD
DV is an option also.