ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the scope, space, and technical infrastructure that is needed to conduct time-based media (TBM) conservation. It also provides an overview and discussion of existing media conservation labs both outside of and within institutions. To practice TBM conservation, a lab space has to accommodate a broad spectrum of activities. A lab needs equipment, tools, and technical infrastructure but of equal importance is the space to check display equipment and run test installations with the various constellations of media, which coalesce to bring the artwork to life, so to speak. Today the minimum requirement common to all labs is a digital workstation. The digital workstation is foundational to the activity of videotape digitization. For capture software, BlackMagic Media Express and older versions of Final Cut Pro are used in addition to Adobe Premiere. Annual budget planning is critical to support the upkeep and evolution of labs.
