The series consists of various tape formats, including VHS, Betacam SP, Betacam L, Mini-DV, Hi8, DVC-PRO, DVC-CAM and audio cassette tapes. The videotapes are assigned numeric and alphanumeric codes according to the format type and its order in the editing process. For example, the 6000 series are DVC-CAM and DVC-PRO tapes, whereas the 7000 are audio cassette tapes. It is not uncommon that VHS tapes were initially given two numbers codes (by the creator). The alphanumeric codes are the initial tracking codes. This is followed by numerical codes, as seen in the 5000, 7000 and 9000 series. The VHS tapes include time codes.

Only the Betacam are catalogued as part of the University Archives media holdings since these are considered the original, whereas the VHS and other formats are copies. The tapes contain footage of interviews, conferences, such as the Quebec Summit, and the editing process. The Betacam video tapes are accessible under VT UBC 1174 to VT UBC 1478.
Most media was retained, and the duplicate footage was kept in various formats, such as Betacam and VHS. Footage that was not retained consisted of televised material, published works, shots that contained images of landscapes, building exteriors and interiors, audio/video tapes that were damaged, contained no image, and no audio, duplicate footage, PAL format, and images which were severely blurred.