VIDEO TAPE COLLECTION AND EXPLOITATION PROGRAMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002700040001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 16, 2005
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 6, 1965
• Content Type: MF

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D RAF T
6 February 1967
1. PROBLEM:
To provide the NPIC with a capability it now lacks, i.e., to extract
selected high quality still photographs from video tape inputs supplied
by the collection community.
2. FACTS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM:
a. Collection programs now being initiated will greatly increase
the volume of video tape information available for analysis.
b. Although most video tapes supplied to the collection community
can be viewed at some installation, there are no facilities available
where tapes can be studied by Center personnel. The Center should have
this in-house capability.
c. There are presently no methods of obtaining high quality photo
copy or to view selected frames of imagery for study.
d. Except for brightness and contrast controls, there are no elec-
tronic methods for enhancement or improving highlight or shadow infor-
mation.
3. DISCUSSIONS:
a. Current Procedure. Currently when video tapes of intelligence
importance are received, analysts are required to travel either to Langley
or the Pentagon to view them. Transportation problems for a number of
personnel and the need to "study" the taped information (as compared with
just "viewing" the taped information)palces a burden on both the facility
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and personnel. Of the four government agencies which have the facilities
for viewing video tape (CIA/Graphic Register, Naval Photographic Center,
NSA, and Army Signal Corps) none have the capability of extracting high
quality still photographs. It is fully expected that the Center's
facilities will be available to the Intelligence Community to fill the
specialized needs of the community.
Present photographic hard copy production methods are either (a)
Video tap e to 16mm film1 to still copy, or (b) uncontrolled direct photog-
raphy of the video monitor.
The 16mm Kinescope photography obtained from original video tape
information is of such poor quality that it is practically useless for
detailed analysis. First of all, the technique of Kinescope photography
"throws away" information in the conversion from a 30 frame per sec. system
to a 24 frame per sec. motion picture display. Secondly, there is con-
siderable loss of information from regeneration in another step from the
original and the system is greatly compromized for the purpose of frame
comparison study--particularly if there is much motion in the frame.
Photographing a video screen produces a very poor copy due to CRT curvature
and imperfections It is also opportunistic and non-selective by its nature.
An optimum system would allow the interpreter to select the best frame or
best field, (in the event of considerabl
otion) for evaluation.
b. Origin of Concept. Sparked by the 1 May and 7 November 1965
Moscow parades broadcast on TV and the appearance of other intelligence
information on foreign TV programs, CSD requested an investigation, study,
and recommendation of TV magnetic tape systems with a quality hard copy
capability for the purpose of exploiting this new source of information.
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The requirements as set forth by CSD to achieve NPIC interpretation
needs are as follows:
1. Equipment to view and to study video taped
information at the Center.
2. Ability to electronically enhance the CRT
presentation in order to optimize the pictoral pre-
sentation of the particular area of investigation.
3. Ability to extract high quality selected
still photographs from the video tape.
c. Proposed Program. The proposed development provides for the
design of an electro-optical system for viewing and studying intellignece
information in the form of magnetic video tape and for the selection and
transfer of this information to a quality photographic record. Incoporated
in the system are additional PI aids for image enhancement, black and white
stretch, spot wobble, etc.
The proposed program also provides for the operation, maintenance and
training services of a field engineer for the period of one year. It is
expected that the Center will provide personnel to be trained to take over
these duties. If qualified competent Center personnel are riot available at
the end of this year's time, additional contract personnel can be provided
for as long as is necessary.
d. Selection of Contractor. Request for proposals were sent to eleven
representative video-electronic firms. Seven "no bids" were received. Proposals
proposals was performed by a committee from CSD and cognizant technical
personnel from the Technical Development Staff. The results of the evaluation
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arc.
i~s generally as follows:
1.1 1 Despite the fact that "Horizontal
Aperture Equalization" was omitted, the proposal was a very
good one and was responsive to the RFP. The price of over
half a million dollars is considered prohibitive.
I This proposal is considered
non-responsive to the Development Objective. The
0
proposes making photo hard copy directly from
This proposal describes the use
of a wide band width recorder not yet in existance. There
is a high risk in this approach' which is not necessary.
Far better quality can be obtained directly from the video
tape.
4. This firm proposes the pro-
duction of hard copy directly from the video tape. The
stop motion disc is to be used only for the selection and
study of the particular frame or field and for adjustment
of the controls. This proposal is considered the best
received and is completely responsive to the Development
Objective.
f. Alternatives. Without the proposed system for extracting quality
photo hard copy from video tapes supplied by the collection commmunity, the
only other form of photographic material available is a highly compromized,
poor quality 16mm Kine film recording.
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In response to the RFP for a "Magnetic Tape to Photo Reproducer" the
proposal is the best received. It is considered that the proposal
will fill the Center's requirements in the present and near future for the
production of quality photo hard copy with the highest information content
possible from the video tape received from the collection community.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS:
In keeping with the Center's responsiblility to lead the Intelligence
Community in the exploitation of intelligence imagery, it is highly recommended
proposal for a "Magnetic Tape to Photo Reproducer" for
be accepted.
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D RAF T
6 February 1967
TAB B
The primary considerations for the operation of the assembled equipment
COA/Pdrea/ ?/V
a. Photographic hard copy quality as 14 stored data quality.
The ultimate R&D objective is to provide a method for pro-
ducing the highest possible quality photographic hard copy from
video tape information provided by the collection community.
b. Electronic enhancement
Particular emphasis is place upon the ability to examinf
(slow motion), study (stop motion) and select particular sequence,
frames and/or fields* of video information. It is necessary to
use the most advanced electronic techniques to optimize the image
or particular parts of the image, i.e. a dark shadow.
In addition to brightness and contrast controls the equipment
will have:
1. "Spot Wobble" - Control for reducing or eliminating the
appearance of scan lines.
2. Verticle apertre Equalizing - verticle scan line enhance-
* A single field would be used for optimum image information in the case of
excessive motion of the particular subject of interest.
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3. Horizontal aperture Equalizing - horizontal enhancement.
4. Gamma control or "black stretch" - shadow enhancement.
5. Exponential control or white stretch - highlight enhance-
ment. f? ~rta~cpKl CorvrQenLsd lLc+r-~elrcui~+INr For re, oou;Iw crJ t{e ,/reb~s
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c. Reliability, low maintenance, and ease of operation.
The basic components shall be of the highest commercial quality.
Where possible, solid state components will be used. Particular
efforts will be made to minimize RFI. Circuitry and shielding
shall be designed and fabricated to keep the RFI of interface com-
ponents at least equal to or less than the basic commercial components
of the assembly.
The man-machine interface shall be designed for ease of operation
without over simplification to the point of sacrificing machine per-
formance or special functions. Equipment should be designed to
facilitate testing and maintenance of the components.
d. Ability to handle various standards.
The assembled equipment will be able to handle the following
standards both high and low land.
1. 525/60
2. 525/50
3. 405/50
The equipment will be amendable to modification without ex-
tensive changes, to color TV when the source becomes readily available.
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FORM 10. 237 Use previous editions
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