CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

scoodee · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 12

A couple weeks ago I was fortunate enough to get a tour of the Library of Congress' National Audio Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC - http://www.loc.gov/avconservation/packard/). I was able to take some pictures during the tour and I noticed a stack of CED players that they were using to digitize some CEDs.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3607798540_b951599a6e.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/3606980443_85d68076e7.jpg?v=0

I thought you guys might find this interesting.

xorcize · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 23

Very interesting. Thanks!

It is kind of surprising to see them using what appears to be SJT090 lower-end models to do the archiving. These models only have RF outputs, which is the poorest quality video output.

Also, I wonder what they could be archiving, that isn't available on Laserdisc, VHS or DVD?

Rixrex · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1222

Well, considerng it's a government project with folks in charge who probably don't know a great amount about CED technology, and likely got whatever was available at lowest cost, I'm not surprised that it would be a lesser model.

Of course, in the distant future, those viewing the archives will say such things as, No wonder the technology didn't last with such limited quality, not knowing any better.

xorcize · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 23

From this thread, some interesting links:

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/06/09/gallery-digitizing-t.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osn06HAEvH0

Jesse Skeen · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 575 Location: Sacramento, CA

Whoever chose those players should be fired, and they should hire ME to finish the project! Cool

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Beetlescott · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 2144

I think it is very interesting that our format would be represented!!! You know, I think about it, if RCA had of gotten together in 1964, when there was no video of any kind, it would of, or could of been a great success. IMHO, I think it would of had a good run, and prolly eventually run it's course once tapes, laser and all that eventually did come out. It would of had a much stronger run, and we would have much larger chisce of movies:)
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Caroline · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:05 pm Post subject: Digitizing analog media

Ive also noticed such projects in the Netherlands. ( Not CEDs, they are almost unknown here, but old Laservision Discs, the first generation of european Laserdiscs. )

But it really makes no sense digitizing CEDs, or ?
Because a CED will "live" much much longer as every digital media.

Ive tried to read old CD-Rs and CD-RWs last week, burned only 10 years ago, every second CD had reading errors.

Beetlescott · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 2144

I agree. CEDs that have sat on shelves for 25 to 30 years, taken off the shelf, and popped into a working CED player, and plays like a dream. That says something about this little format.
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Rixrex · Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 1222

You're right, but there's always some government bureaucratic archivist trying to think of ways to keep working on doing something that makes less sense than if the originals were stored in a proper way.

They're trying to apply microfilm technology aspects to CEDs that are not as useful as keeping the originals intact.