Report of the meeting of SC-03-04 Working Group on Storage and Handling of Media of the SC-03 Subcommittee on the Preservation and Restoration of Audio Recording, held in San Francisco, CA., US., 2006-10-06
The meeting was convened by Chair T. Sheldon
The agenda and the report of the previous meeting, held in Paris, France, 2006-05-21, were approved as distributed.
Open Projects
AES22-R: Review of AES22-1997 (r2003): AES recommended practice for audio preservation and restoration - Storage of polyester-based magnetic tape
No comments have been received and no action was required or taken. This recommended practice will remain open for review until 2008.
AES28-R: Review of AES28-1997 (r2003): AES standard for audio preservation and restoration - Method for estimating life expectancy of compact discs (CD-ROM), based on effects of temperature and relative humidity
No comments have been received and no action was required or taken. This standard will remain open for review until 2008.
AES35-R: Review of AES35-2000 (r2005): AES standard for audio preservation and restoration - Method for estimating life expectancy of magneto-optical (M-O) discs, based on effects of temperature and relative
No comments have been received and no action was required or taken. This standard will remain open for review until 2010.
AES38-R: Review of AES38-2000 (r2005): AES standard for audio preservation and restoration - Life expectancy of information stored in recordable compact disc systems -Method for estimating, based on effects of temperature and relative humidity
No comments have been received and no action was required or taken. This standard will remain open for review until 2010.
AES49-R: Review of AES49-2005 Magnetic Tape - Care and handling practices for extended usage
No comments have been received and no action was required or taken. This standard will remain open for review until 2010.
Development Projects
AES-X080: Liaison with AES/ i3a-WG5 Joint Technical Committee (JTC)
Project scope: to formalize the working relationship between AESSC SC-03 and ANSI-PIMA IT-9-5 Assigned to: SC-03-04 , Status: No action required. Ted Sheldon represents liaison matters. P. Adelstein is secretary of i3a.
Intent: Liaison , Initiated: 1998 , Target: Continuing Current goal:
Status report , Goal date: Continuing
The project scope is changed to note the working relationship between SC-03 and International Imaging Industry Association (I3A). This relationship is embodied in the Joint Technical Commission and is functioning well.
AES-X145: Care and Handling of Optical Discs
Project scope: This standard concerns the care and handling of digital optical discs during use. It addresses the issues of physical integrity of the medium necessary to preserve access to the recorded data (information). Included are recommendations for handling procedures to maximize the effective life of optical discs. This standard addresses the following subjects:
use and handling environments, including pollutants, temperature and
humidity, light exposure and magnetic fields;
contamination concerns;
inspection;
cleaning and maintenance, including cleaning methods and frequency;
transportation;
disasters, including water, fire, construction and post-disaster
procedures;
staff training.
Assigned to: SC-03-04, Intent: Standard, Initiated: 2004-09-09, Target: 2006
Current goal: PCFC, Goal date: 2006-09
Status: New secretariat-formatted draft as standard; title change to Optical discs - Recommended Practice for Care and Handling etc.
The definition of the document as a "standard" or "recommended practice" was discussed at length. The discussion that took place at the previous Working Group meeting in Paris was referenced. In general, the argument to define the document as a recommended practice rests on what is viewed as a large amount of explanatory material in the text. Supporting the definition as a standard, it was noted that the required actions needed explanation for many potential users of the document. It was noted that over fifty required actions are contained in the document, a clear element of a standard. Because this document is far along in the process of development, it was agreed that a fundamental rewrite of the document was not warranted. It was further agreed that the document would be defined as a standard. With this agreement, the document will be reviewed by the SC-03-04 chair and the Standards Manager to resolve style issues, then distributed as a PCFC.
However, the document on the Care and Handling of Hard Disc Drives (see below) currently being developed in the Joint Technical Commission should be reconsidered in the light of this discussion, and it is recommended that explanatory information therein be moved from the main body of the document to one or more annexes.
AES-X146: Extended term storage environment for multiple media archives
Project scope: This project seeks to provide suggested guidelines for four extended-term storage environments for archives that contain a variety of recording media, based on the corresponding AES and ISO storage standards for those media. Many of these media hold audio content. Whenever possible, the storage environments in the AES and ISO storage standards should be followed. This technical report does not replace these AES and ISO storage standards. In addition to environment recommendations, those standards also include other vital information pertinent for the long-term keeping of recording materials such as inspection, housing, and handling guidelines.
Assigned to: SC-03-04, Intent: Information document, Initiated: 2004-09-09, Target: 2006
Current goal: PWD, Goal date: 2006-07
Status: Proposed for PCFC
The current draft will be sent out as a PCFC.
AES-X153: Care and handling of magnetic hard disc drives
Project scope: To establish care, handling, and storage standards for high capacity magnetic hard drives. The document will include life expectancy assessment, effects of temperature cycling, proper use of the mechanical drives holding the media.
Assigned to: SC-03-04, Intent: Standard , Initiated: 2004-11-19 , Target: 2006-11
Current goal: PTD , Goal date: 2006-10
Status: Awaiting JTC draft
Draft 11.1 (Oct., 2006) was distributed for review. The content of the draft was reviewed, and it was noted that this draft will be reviewed by the JTC at its meeting in Anchorage, Alaska USA later this month. Several comments and suggestions were made to strengthen and clarify the document. The discussion regarding AES-X145 was referenced, including the recommendation to move explanatory information from the main body of the document to one or more annexes. This will be communicated to the JTC.
Liaisons
No further liaison relationships exist.
New Projects
No new projects were proposed for consideration.
New Business
No new business was placed before the WG.
The next meeting of the WG will take place at the 122nd AES Convention in Vienna, Austria in May 2007.
