Champion: Dr. James Barry
ROV Core Video Annotation Management Plan
Date Submitted: 10/25/99
Support Team:
Summary of Resources Requested (Total No. of days per Division for 2000):
R&D Total: 6 days
TSD Total:
DMO Total:
ITD Total: 251 days
- Description of data stream
The ROV Core Video Annotation data stream consists of data that is extracted from video collected during Ventana and Tiburon ROV operations. These data, collected in "outline" mode, are then stored in the VIMS database for access by internal and external investigators, as needed. External investigators must have approved collaborations in order to gain access to these data. Video Lab resources for ‘Detail’ annotations must be requested through the proposal process. A specific animal, geologic feature, pattern or behavior may be annotated for all observable occurrences if requested by scientist and resources required for the sum of all such requests remains negligible.
- Data quality specifications
Core video annotations in outline mode will consist of the following:
- Samples taken, including identification numbers*;
- The beginning and ending of transects;
- The beginning and ending of experiments and deployments/retrievals, including identification numbers*;
- Characterization of major habitats (e.g. seep or canyon wall) and geological features (e.g. rock outcrop, sand, fault, etc.), annotated on a regular interval (likely every 5 minutes);
- Identification of discernable animals at nearly 2x tape speed. Level (e.g. species, genus, family, etc.) and certainty of identification depends on current knowledge of deep sea organisms and physical factors (e.g. ROV speed, camera setting, visibility, etc.);
- New or very rare species, behaviors, features, patterns;
- Major, noteworthy events including good or select images;
- Audio track comments indicating unique events (scientist must use buzzer to notify annotator)
*Note: Unique numbering schemes for samples, experiments, or other procedures must be communicated to the Video Lab staff if they are to be incorporated into the database.
- Sensor maintenance requirements
None. ROV video cameras are maintained by DMO and recording/playback equipment is maintained by ITD.
- Data processing scheme
ITD Video Lab technicians annotate all video tapes derived from MBARI ROV dives using the VIMS annotation system. It is estimated that each scheduled Ventana and Tiburon dive will produce 5 and 10 hours of video tape, respectively. The time required to perform outline annotation of an ROV video tape is estimated as 1 hour of annotation per hour of video tape.
- Data archiving and dissemination scheme
Data derived from the annotation of ROV video tapes using the VIMS annotation system is downloaded into the VIMS database. These data are then available to users via the VIMS Query Application. ITD to facilitate, as required.
- End users
All ROV users, MBARI interns, graduate students, outside collaborators and occasionally ROV pilots
- Quality assurance plan
The ROV Core Video Data Champion will monitor the timeliness of the video annotation process on a monthly basis. Reasonable rates of completion will be determined based on currently available annotation staff, none of whom should be expected to annotate more than 4 hours on any one day. Additionally, the data champion could further verify the data by comparing the annotations to known events (e.g. sampling activities or other major events from scientists’ log books). The greatest verification of the video data is if scientists are able to reliably use the database to locate specific dive footage and associated data, to generate hypotheses or possibly, to reach verifiable conclusions for publication. It should be noted that development of the video annotation system is a continuing project. Existing problems and additional requirements of the system have been identified by the Video Lab and science users; improvements and further developments will continue towards the goal of a robust, usable system at the project’s end in mid-2001.
- Resource requirements
Video Lab Technician(ITD): 251 days
Video data Champion (Science): 6 days
Digital Betacam tapes: $86,430
- Dependencies
Actual amount of tape generated.
Proper functionality of the VIMS annotation system and the VIMS database.