Transcoder

Transcode: convert (language or information) from one form of coded representation to another.[ source: Oxford English Dictionary ]

Overview

The transcoder is developed by artefactual, for the purpose of normalization and generating access copies in the archivematica system. In earlier versions it was called normalizer. It will try to identify the file type by the file extension, or other metadata, and look for matching configured actions for those identified. It will then perform those actions, and exit with a zero status if it believes those actions have been completed successfully.

Transcoder Database

In Archivematica release 0.7.1 alpha, the normalalization rules have been moved to a database, and can be seen under the preservation planning tab on the dashboard. In future releases, we plan to support modification of these rules through the dashboard interface.

Database Schema

Configuration

Configuration files are located in the /etc/transcoder/ directory.

The transcoder database credentials and server can be set in the dbsettings.conf file.

Development

We are considering building a Format_policy_registry.