Having recently been attempting with mounting frustration to obtain digital
versions of oral history recordings, videos, sounds and images for a
website, I heartily agree with Matthew Stiff's comments.  Converting
material from a bewildering variety of analogue formats has been a real
headache.  Again, it comes back to a 'what's it all for?' question.  Digital
media are more accessible to all of us now so in the interests of wider
accessibility they should become the standard.

Robin Clutterbuck

-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Matthew Stiff
Sent: 18 June 2001 13:05
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Second World War etc


I can testify to the quality of the Marantz recorder having done Rob Perk's
course and used one in my previous job. However, that was some time ago and
prior to the existence of professional quality minidisc recorders.

I would be interested in the views of those on this list as to whether in a
digital age we should still be using analogue recording equipment? Digital
recordings can be archived on a server (with the subsequent ease of upgrade
path (although admittedly this will require large disc capacity). Analogue
recordings will need to be kept on audio tape (with future upgrade problems)
or digitised (in which case,why not record them digitally in the first
place?). I raise this question because already the use of audio cassettes
can be seen to be in sharp decline. No doubt the same fate awaits minidisc
recorders/players (witness the decline of the CD-ROM which has already
begun). However, by using standard digital audio file formats it should be
possible to keep ahead of changes in hardware for the time being at least.

I cannot claim any expertise in oral history or any knowledge of the current
state of play, but I would be interested in people's reactions to these
thoughts.

Best wishes,

Matthew

*****NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES*****

Dr Matthew Stiff
Head of Standards
mda
19 Riverside Road
Oxford
OX2 0HT

Tel:     +44 (0)1865 200561
Fax:    +44 (0)1865 200561 (by arrangement)
email:  [log in to unmask]
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URL    www.mda.org.uk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rosalind Collier" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2001 8:15 PM
Subject: Second World War etc


We are planning a 2 World War small exhibition, Rye's War (E.Sussex) for
next
year. We will be doing a lot of educational stuff with it (many of us are ex
teachers!! See various articles about the usefulness or not of ex teachers)
but we are also being encouraged to record oral history of local people.
I am getting confused about the right sort of recording equipment to use. I
understand a Marantz is the best, but I have seen what seems to be the right
one at £300 odd, and been quoted £1700 (with VAT).
Any ideas? All help very gratefully received.
Rosalind Collier
Rye Castle Museum