Digital methods of data acquisition have permeated many offshore techniques, with satellite transmissions, acoustic position signals and most forms of sonar being generated and recorded in digital form. Adoption of digital encoding and recording of video data has been gathering pace in recent years and many inspectino campaigns now include digital video deliverables.

IMCA has developed this wide-ranging review to assist its members. It discusses current technologies, including quality and performance, practical applications and standards/operability issues. It also addresses storage and integration with other contractor and client systems.

This document is not intended to be a specification or an instruction to follow. Equally, it must be recognised that, like all technology, digital video systems will continue to develop and that therefore their effective operation should not be constrained by anything written or inferred in this document. It is intended that this document will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

This June 2009 has been produced following a complete review and updating to reflect developments since the 2005 original.

NB This document has also been published under the Offshore Survey Division series as IMCA S 008.