Viewfinder: Index Vexed
Why is it such a chore to log videotape?
One of the most frustrating things about videotape is the lack of a simple, reliable system for keeping track of what's on each cassette. There's no way to see what you have recorded without writing notes as you record. Then you end up with cassette boxes stuffed with bulky paper or, even worse, you lose the notes and have to play back the tape while you recreate the index list. It really is a significant problem, especially if you like to record a lot of video.
Professional broadcast studios and others who make video for profit use a similar method. They hire staff (usually low-paid interns) to watch tapes and write down descriptions of the footage. The task is still cumbersome--they have just shifted it to a low-level employee. Most Videomaker readers do not have this advantage. I wish there was a better way of logging camcorder fo…
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