Hi Iain
The Archaeology Data Service here at York, UK - http://ads.ahds.ac.uk
suggest MPEG as the archive format for moving images. They also state that
moving images in Quicktime would also be acceptable.  Their list of FAQs
about digital archiving, and especially appropriate archive formats, can
be found at:

http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/project/faq.html#forms

However, the other question that you should consider is that of storage
medium.  Digital data should ideally be stored on a server where backups,
and refreshing can take place frequently. It is *not* a good idea to
entrust your data to CD-Roms - they are not an archive format.  Crucial
too at every stage is to *document* your data - explain what it is for
future users of it. The ADS can offer specific advice on issues of
metadata and documentation. Contact my office colleague and the ADS's
friendly User Services Manager, William Kilbride on [log in to unmask]
for further info.

:-)
regards,
Judith
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Judith Winters, Editor
Internet Archaeology, the international electronic journal
http://intarch.ac.uk

Department of Archaeology, University of York
King's Manor,  YO1 7EP,  UK
Tel: +44 1904 433955
Fax: +44 1904 433939



On Tue, 16 May 2000, Iain Stuart wrote:

> I have been asked to quote for the making of an archival video recording of
> a ceramics factory.
>
> While I have got a good idea about how I will go about it (and I have a
> Director's chair!) I was wondering about the question of how archival video
> might be. does anyone have any pointers about the appropriate format for the
> video?
>
> Industrially yours
>
> Iain Stuart
>