PURCHASE OF VIDEO TAPE EQUIPMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002700040006-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 16, 2005
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: December 6, 1965
• Content Type: MF

Approved F ei~ease 20 /06/2 :CIA-RDP78BO4 riQA002700040006-4
1(P IC/CSD-625-6.5
6 December 1965
r,MORA DUB FOR: Assistant for Plans and Development
SUBJECT . Purchase of Video Tape Equipment
Declass Review by NGA.
I. Requirement
A. NPIC has a need for equipment to view video tape.
3. NPIC has a need for equipment to extract high quality still
photographs from video tape.
II. Back,' round
The recent Soviet practice of beaming military films and telev5.siorr,
accounts of their military parades has resulted in an increasing nuL_ber
of video tapes being produced as a form of intelligence photography.
With the advent of communication satellites, television tapes of the
1 :may and 7 ??ove.rber parades in Moscow have been the first photographic
ac i e is to be received in the Washington area.
';;Whenever NPIC attempts to obtain a copy of a domestic T'i broadcast (i:e!.?:s,
news specials, documentaries, etc.) we are informed that it is available only
on video tape. NPIC, at present, has no capability to either vie,?r or ex Tact
high quality stills from v ideo tape. Currently when video tapes of i ntelli -
uerce import are received, NPIC analysts are required to travel to either
snley or the Pentagon to view them. Only four known goverrr:.ent or, a :izati ons
i?. the Washington area (CIA/Graphics Register, Navy Photographic Center, P?SA,
and the Army Signal Corp) have the capability for ..vi e1'rL'1,- video tapes, but
,eproducti or: methods employed are either; (a) 'video tape to-
16 m.: fib to to
still process, or (b) uncontrolled direct photograph of the Monitor.
The Intelligence Community is well aware of the importance of this
t;;e of r aterial and the CIA Foreign Broadcast Information Division and the
USAF /Foreign Technology Division are planning expanded. pro: rar..s to collect
it. (See attachment)
The Director, NPIC in conversations with and 25X1
myself has indicated that the Center should possess ti e capability to view
video tape on monitors or on a screen and the ability to extract high quality
photographic stills from video tape.
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Approved Fiew-Release12j0U5d/06/23 : CIA-RDP78B04iiiOA002700040006-4
SUBJECT : Purchase of Video Tape Equipment
ILI. Discussion
has recently developed a system for extracting still.
photography directly from a video tape recording. The essential co- 1,rponents
of this system are as follows:
1. GPE (Covernment ''rrnished Equipment) magnetic tape playback -_aa.chine.
2. disc recorder which permits continuing display of a selected frame
of a video tape recording.
3. A recording monitor and camera.
!a viewing monitor and camera actuator.
Still reproductions using this system can be obtained in the folloti,~ing
'o~^_..ats : v
?0
n, negative--standard or polaroid
.2.
70
polaroid print
3.
?0 :im polaroid positive transparency
The uri nary advantages of this system are that it allows for direct,
high quality reproduction of stills from a video tape and,. using a polaroid
camera, stills r:ay be obtained in 10 seconds. This system further :provides..
a stop, start,, reverse, capability permitting NPIC analysts flexibility in
the man _oulation of the video tape.
iv . Recommendations
It is recommended that the Plans and Development Staff, study these
problems and
(a,, :met with the Assistant for Ad,-f-inistration, NPIC _n order to deter: one
the equipment necessary for viewing video tapes, and insure, that such-
equipment is compatible with
(b, CSDts need for equipment for the-_
photography.
cup
Chief, Collateral Support Div.sion_,
? IC
Approved For Release 2005/06/23: CIA-RDP78B04770A002700040006-4
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Approved For Release 2005/06123 : CIA-RDP78BO477OA002700040006-4
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Approved For Release 2005/06/23 : CIA-RDP78BO477OA002700040006-4