Digitalisation & archive services

A high-quality scan is the key to an optimum digital back-up and for any subsequent further work. From 8mm small-gauge film all the way to high-end digitalisation of 70mm films, we have the fitting solution.

The enormous variety of formats as well as the increasing demands in respect, for instance, of high levels of resolution, picture stability and optical quality call for excellent film scanners. The film material is a valuable asset that experiences a best possible level of protection as it is being digitalised by our scanners. It is certainly possible here to optimise the desired result through the purposeful additional use of a wet gate.

Even badly damaged or shrivelled film material can be entrusted to our experienced, professionally trained team. The spectrum extends not just from small-gauge to wide-gauge film, but also offers resolutions up to 14K with 16-bit colour depth and HDR.

The careful preparation of analogue film material ensures that the film runs through the scanner not only without getting damaged but also in the optimum way. This guarantees protection of the material and contributes to a best possible digitalisation result.

Scuffs, scratches, spots, defective splices, small tears or damaged areas in the perforation lead to major reductions in quality or even to a faulty scan. It is therefore essential to have the film first checked and repaired by an experienced specialist.

Subsequent cleaning in a film washing machine is an integral part of optimum preparation. Very fragile material, on the other hand, is washed by hand with the utmost care. In this way the films are perfectly prepared for a scan or any subsequent storing of the material.

Restoring a film's original appearance can only be done in close consultation with the client. The aim is the effective use of appropriate restoration tools with the greatest possible avoidance of any digital artefacts.

Depending on the condition of the material, there are almost no limits to what is possible when it comes to digital restoration. How to proceed in terms of technical, scientific and economic possibilities is therefore weighed up in advance with the client in order to achieve the greatest possible authenticity. Regardless of resolution, the implementation is done on the most suitable system for the requirements, e.g. HS-Art’s Diamant or Digital Vision’s Phoenix Finish.

Our employees bring with them many years of experience, which is essential for a successful result. During a project, matters are regularly agreed with our clients.

Grading is a creative process and opens up a broad spectrum of creative options. This ranges from authentic colour reproduction in the case of an historical movie all the way to the typical ‘look’ of a new production – be it on a monitor or the big screen.

Our grading suites are equipped with Nucoda and DaVinci colour correctors. The extensive technical equipment naturally also includes 4K HDR reference monitors and, for cinema productions, a 4K laser phosphor projection system. Our colourists have expertise in both fields gained over many years. The spectrum here extends from historical productions, via fiction, documentaries and TV series, all the way to concerts for VOD.

Whatever you require of us, we go passionately about the fulfilment of your wishes without, however, losing sight of the technical requirements for broadcasting on TV or showing in the cinema.

When it comes to digitalising large stocks of video, an automated workflow is essential. For SD and HD video tapes we put our faith in Leipzig in the tried and tested A.D.A.M. robotics systems.

Sometimes it simply has to be done quickly. For this we make use in Leipzig of a robot-assisted development that has been customised and adapted to our needs. In a defined workflow that includes cleaning, digitalisation and technical quality control, the A.D.A.M. system takes care 24/7, 365 days a year of processing a multitude of analogue or digital video tapes and transferring them over as a digital product.

Up to 40,000 hours of content a year are possible, for Sony and for Panasonic formats. Specially trained on this system, our administrators ensure a smooth and continuous workflow, adhering to the quality standards defined by the clients.

In addition to the digitalisation of film material, our focus is also on the backing up of video and audio tapes. The recipient receives the digital target formats either conventionally on a media storage device or digitally via file transfer.

Preserving the content of audio-visual storage devices is an important task. Play-out systems are no longer being made, replacement parts are in the main scarce. In the case of older analogue video and audio tapes especially a transfer to digital target formats is urgently needed if the danger of losing the content is to be avoided. We take on this responsibility and keep a multitude of devices of various different video and audio formats in stock for digitalisation.

Converting digital files to currently popular file formats and distributing data, including in high volumes, via high-performance lines are also requirements that we satisfy with appropriate infrastructure.

Longer-term projects make it necessary to store the media entrusted to us. However, thanks to the capacities we have, long-term storage of physical media or digital content is also a service we can provide.

As a service provider we support our clients not only with the digitalisation and editing of productions. Some requirements also lead to temporary or relatively long-term storage of the physical source material or the digital target media. For this purpose we have available on our premises not only storage capability within the building, but multiple special containers outside as well.

We are also certified for working on nitrate material and storing it in cabinets suited to the purpose. And what about digital data? There are appropriate storage options for such data on the main LTO standards in a tape library or also on servers, hard drive or LTO tape.