About CEDAR

  • What is CEDAR?

    • CEDAR is a collection of Collaborative Empirical Databases to be used as an Archivists’ Resource for work relating to Moving Image and Sound Preservation and Archiving. It is collaborative because the databases and data are open to the community for input and retrieval. It is empirical because the information being documented results from direct experience as opposed to second hand information which is often inaccurate or less useful. Using collaborative tools and an open model, the data collected will be openly accessible in order to provide resources for preservation practice and research.

    All users entering data into CEDAR must agree to do so under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

    • Why does CEDAR exist?

      • The CEDAR project was conceived out of recognition of the fact that there are a number of resources and tools that would prove extremely useful in support of moving image and sound preservation and archiving that have yet to be developed, or have been started but abandoned due to other priorities. This lack of resources and tools often results in hours of time spent researching and corroborating data from books, websites, list-servs and other people to obtain even the most fundamental information.

      • Who is Behind CEDAR?

        • Conceived and founded by Chris Lacinak and Joshua Ranger, the CEDAR project thrives under the guidance of an advisory board consisting of an international group of their esteemed colleagues. Great thanks and recognition are owed to the following individuals and organizations for their support and expert insights:

        The Media Preserve

        SafeSound

        Bruce Gordon of Harvard University

        Michael Casey of Indiana University’s Archive of Traditional Music

        Nadja Wallaszkovits of the Austrian Academy of Science

        Greg Moss of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

        Peter Alyea of the Library of Congress

        Richard Wright of the BBC

        • When Can I Use CEDAR?

          • Now. The first in the series to be released is the Open Reel Audio Condition & Treatment Database. This database documents empirical data on the condition and treatment solutions for various models and brands of open reel audiotape.

          Future CEDAR databases will include:

          Condition & Treatment Series

          • Audiocassette
          • Audio Discs
          • DAT
          • Video Open Reel
          • Videocassette
          • CD
          • DVD

          Video Format Media Model and Brand Reference: This database will focus on the brand and model numbers specific to a recording quality/technology (e.g. High Band, Low Band, SP) as well as the year of introduction of the associated recording technology.