Videotape Ingest Specialist

This is a Full Time Job

CBS News and Stations is home to the nation's #1 news program 60 MINUTES, the CBS News Streaming Network, the first 24/7 digital streaming news network, the award-winning broadcasts CBS MORNINGS, CBS SATURDAY MORNING, the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH NORAH O'DONNELL, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CBS WEEKEND EVENING NEWS, 48 HOURS and FACE THE NATION WITH MARGARET BRENNAN. The CBS News Streaming Network is the destination for breaking news, live events, original reporting and storytelling, and programs from CBS News and Stations' top anchors and correspondents working locally, nationally and around the globe. CBS News' streaming services, across national and local, amassed more than 1.01 billion streams in 2021. CBS News and Stations is dedicated to providing the highest quality journalism under standards it pioneered and continues to set in today's digital age.

The Videotape Ingest Specialist plays a crucial role in preserving and managing our valuable video content. They are responsible for digitizing and ingesting analog videotapes into digital formats, ensuring their accessibility, quality, and long-term preservation. This position requires expertise in common VTR (Video Tape Recorder) formats, encoding, and file formats.

Key Responsibilities:
• Tape Ingestion:
• Ingest analog videotapes (such as Beta, U-matic 3/4'', 1'' videotape, and 2'' videotape) into digital files using specialized equipment.
• Verify the integrity of the source tapes and ensure proper handling during the ingest process.
• Maintain accurate records of ingested materials.
• Convert analog video signals to digital formats (e.g., MPEG-2, XDCAM, ProRes) suitable for archival storage and distribution.
• Familiarity with codecs, bit rates, and compression settings.
• Quality Control:
• Monitor and assess the quality of digitized content, addressing any issues related to audio/video synchronization, dropouts, or artifacts.
• Perform basic video and audio restoration when necessary.
• Metadata Management:
• Add descriptive metadata to ingested files.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy in metadata entry.
• Collaboration:
• Work closely with archivists, curators, and other team members to prioritize ingest requests.
• Assist in fulfilling news production requests and sales inquiries.
• Software Proficiency:
• Familiarity with Avid Media Asset Management (MAM) system for cataloging and tracking media assets.
• Experience with the Rohde & Schwarz VENICE Encoder for efficient video compression and transcoding.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Library Science, Film Studies, or a related field (preferred).
• Proficiency in operating VTR equipment, including Beta, U-Matic 3/4'', 1'' videotape, and 2'' videotape machines.
• Knowledge of video encoding standards and file formats.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Understanding of archival principles and preservation best practices.