10-Bit Video for Analog Tape Transfer

Analog tapes, such as VHS tapes, have been a staple of home video recording for decades. However, as technology has progressed, the need to transfer these tapes to a digital format has become increasingly important. Last time, we discussed lossless video compression. However, loss and compression are only one part of the story. The color depth (sometimes also called bit depth) is important too. Here at Archival Works, we use 10-bit lossless video for analog tape transfers.

 So, why is 10 bit video important for transferring analog tapes? The main benefit is that it allows for a greater range of colors to be captured, resulting in a more accurate and detailed representation of the original analog recording.

Most consumer equipment and other video transfer companies use only 8-bit video, which is limited to 256 shades of each primary color of light (red, green, and blue). This results in a total of 16.7 million possible colors. While this may seem like a lot, it is actually quite limited compared to the range of colors that can be perceived by the human eye.

On the other hand, 10 bit video allows for 1024 shades of each primary color, resulting in a color depth of over 1 billion possible colors. This allows for a much more accurate representation of the original analog recording, with more subtle gradations and a wider range of colors.

In addition to providing a more accurate representation of the original recording, 10 bit video is also more resistant to "banding," which is a visible artifact that can occur when there are not enough colors available to accurately represent a gradient or transition between colors. This can be particularly noticeable in areas of the image with a lot of subtle color gradations, such as skies or sunsets.

A simulated example to help visualize the difference between 10-bit video (on the left) and 8-bit video (on the right). Note that the sky looks strange in the 8-bit version.

Overall, the use of 10 bit video is important for transferring analog tapes because it allows for a more accurate and detailed representation of the original recording, with a wider range of colors and reduced risk of visible artifacts. Our goal is always to preserve the tapes in the best way possible, so no quality is ever lost in the transfer process. While it may require more processing power and storage space, the resulting improvement in image quality is well worth the investment. Here at Archival Works, we provide 10-bit video for all lossless captures.