Historical Audio Recording
This recording was digitised from an analogue archival carrier (magnetic tape) as part of SLOGI’s ongoing preservation activities.
It documents a conversation recorded in 1965 at the Slovenian Theatre Museum with the former director of one of Slovenia’s leading theatres.
Two versions of the recording are presented below: the original digitised version and a version with a slight increase in volume. This was the only intervention applied in order to improve intelligibility and facilitate access for contemporary listeners.
No other modifications, restoration procedures, or enhancements were undertaken.
This example demonstrates a key principle of archival digitisation: improving accessibility while preserving the authenticity and integrity of the original recording.
M70
Historical Film Recording: A Preservation Challenge
The original source is an 8 mm silent film preserved within SLOGI’s audiovisual collections.
During digitisation, the service provider attempted to improve the visual quality of the footage through extensive digital enhancement. As a result, characteristics inherent to the original recording were altered, reducing the documentary value of the film and compromising its authenticity as a historical source.
Two versions are presented below: the original digitised transfer and the digitally enhanced version. By comparing them, it becomes evident how excessive image processing can alter the appearance of historical documents and affect their value as archival records.
This example highlights a fundamental principle of archival digitisation: preservation should prioritise the faithful representation of the original document. Digital interventions should remain transparent, proportionate, and fully documented, ensuring that improved accessibility does not come at the expense of historical integrity.