As the media industry has transitioned from physical film reels and master tapes to digital formats, the vulnerabilities associated with digital asset management have increased dramatically. In the latest episode of the View+Finders podcast, Vaughn Juares and Sam McQueen of Framerate Technologies discuss the significance of asset management, the challenges of digital media retention, and how Framerate is addressing these issues with its proprietary system, Command.
The Risks of Digital Transition
Moving from physical to digital media has brought immense convenience and risks. Unlike a tangible film reel, digital files can be lost due to hard drive failures, accidental deletions, or storage system migrations. Critical media assets can vanish without proper redundancies, leading to lost content and, in some cases, lost history.
“When you had a film reel, you knew exactly where it was,” explains McQueen. “But in the digital realm, assets are far more vulnerable without a physical backup. A single point of failure can mean the permanent loss of content.”
The Complexity of Media Asset Management
Managing media assets isn’t just about storing a single file. A major studio film involves multiple versions, including:
~ Theatrical releases in numerous languages
~ Versions for platforms such as iTunes, Google Play, and streaming services
~ Edited versions for airlines, television, and other specific markets
~ Subtitle and closed captioning files
~ Separate audio tracks for different languages and formats
Each version constitutes a distinct asset, and the number of holdings per film can easily reach the dozens, if not more.
The Risk of Lost Media
A primary concern in digital media management is what happens when a company responsible for storing assets, such as Deluxe, goes bankrupt. “When a storage provider goes under, it raises serious questions,” says Juares. “Where are the assets, and how do content owners retrieve them?”
Lost media is not a new phenomenon, but digital media faces a unique challenge. Without a physical copy, an asset’s last digital version can be deleted instantly. “If the last copy of a digital asset is lost, it simply no longer exists,” McQueen warns.
How Framerate Technologies Ensures Media Security
To mitigate these risks, Framerate Technologies developed Command, a digital asset management system to ensure media preservation and accessibility. Key features of Command include:
Redundant Storage: Framerate maintains secure backups of all assets, ensuring that no single point of failure can lead to loss.
Direct Access for Content Owners: Content providers can retrieve their assets anytime without relying on Framerate as a middleman.
Controlled Sharing: Permission-based access ensures that third parties can only access media when explicitly authorized.
Scalability and Security: Designed to support high-volume content libraries while maintaining rigorous security protocols.
“Asset retention and availability are paramount for us,” says McQueen. “We want content owners to have full confidence that their media is protected and readily accessible.”
Protecting Media for the Future
As digital media evolves, the need for reliable asset management solutions becomes even more pressing. Whether it’s safeguarding historical films or ensuring the seamless delivery of content across global markets, solutions like Command are essential for the future of digital media distribution.