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Budget
Budgeting for the acquisition of single-channel video works involves a number of considerations. Costs of video artworks vary based on certain factors, including the format that you are acquiring (Beta SP or Digital Beta, for example), your intended use or context (educational institution, museum, private collection), and whether you are purchasing an unlimited edition from a distributor or a limited edition from a gallery. Other budget items include the cost of appropriate playback and display equipment, securing adequate storage facilities, and technical maintenance. The preservation of single-channel video works should also be addressed at the time of acquisition to ensure the future viability and accessibility of the works in your collection.
The following provides information on budgeting for single-channel video acquisition. The Preservation section of this guide addresses single-channel video preservation costs.
Shipping Expenses
Institutions and other collectors are typically responsible for all shipping costs related to receiving single-channel video works. Video works are typically inexpensive to ship and do not require the same extensive crating and art handling common to work in other mediums. Rush shipping, of course, will increase costs considerably.
Equipment Costs
Single-channel video work requires the appropriate playback equipment (for example, a professional DVD, Beta SP or DigiBeta player), display device (a presentation monitor, plasma or LCD flat screen, or projector and projection surface), audio equipment (amplifier and speakers, or headphones), and cables and connectors. The specific playback and display equipment required to show the video works in your collection depends on the exhibition formats (such as DVD) to be shown. Playback equipment for archival formats (such as DigiBeta or Beta SP) can be quite expensive and as archival works are typically kept in storage, it is not always necessary for collectors to acquire this industry-level equipment.
Maintenance & Preservation
Anticipating the preservation needs of the single-channel video works in your collection is an important part of any acquisition budget. The Preservation section of this guide identifies the costs related to the maintenance and conservation of single-channel video works.
