Mediapedia

Intended to enable the identification of various media types for assisting with collection planning, assessment, documentation, infrastructure and preservation planning for their content.

By recording business knowledge, from either internal or external communities, about these various physical media formats one is better able to make on-going access and risk management evaluations.

Current News

  • Search the Mediapedia! - A refreshed draft search facility has been launched to provide a glimpse at some of the information being recorded about various media physical carriers. The site currently contains over 600 Variant records across 136 Holotype carriers covering DATA, SOUND, STILL IMAGE & MOVING IMAGE genres. (See below for logon details)
  • Welcome to new Project Participants: Archives new Zealand, Poawerhouse Museum and National Film and Sound Archive of Australia along with continuing interest from a number of other specific genre based parties.

Overview

Anyone who has content stored upon obscure and older often proprietary physical media carriers, and even more common carriers such as audio and video materials, floppy disks and CDs, will eventually encounter problems accessing this content.

Although accessing current common carrier types may appear to be self evident presently, this may not always be the case. Over time, if individuals or organizations are not proactive there is a risk of loosing access to the content stored on these carriers. In some cases, by the time an organization realizes there is a problem, it may already be is too expensive or even too late to retrieve this content.

In order to assist in managing these risks to carriers, one needs to know a range of information about them. For example: when and by whom the carrier was created; when was it used; the advertised shelf-life versus the actual shelf-life; the requirements to access a specific carrier type. The Mediapedia was designed to be an open, trusted and sustainable mechanism for documenting, retaining and disseminating this kind of knowledge [1].

The prototype of this web-based resource is intended to enable the identification of various types of carriers and their associated dependencies. Basic information which allows the identification of carrier types is provided, along with more detailed technical information about the carrier itself, and mechanisms that are needed to provide ongoing access. Future versions could include information about storage requirements, community based risk assessments and information about potential migration paths.

Unlike the Wikipedia [2], the Mediapedia does not require prior knowledge of a carrier’s name for its discovery. It was specifically designed so that carrier types can be identified in a number of different ways. A user can search across physical characteristics, including measurements or descriptive details such as manufacturer, product code and other specific identifying markings that can be found on the carrier. For more advanced users, carriers can be identified through the use of a detailed and systematic classification system that was developed from several common standards, including Dublin Core Type Vocabulary [3] and the RDA/ONIX Framework for Resource Categorization [4]. The primary function of this classification system is to organize the carriers into meaningful and flexible taxonomical groupings or categories, and to make them discoverable to different audiences (see Figure 1). As such, the user can also search by Carrier or Process types within different Genres [5].

Initially they have been categorised by:

figure 1

Figure 1: A diagrammatic representation of the levels of the classification used within the Mediapedia

Additional associated information includes:

  • Intermediate Tool / Access Path / technical requirements
  • Conservation assessment and community conservation knowledge
  • Genre Specific Specifications, Data Sheets & Web Links

References
[1] Anticipated Mediapedia Online Prototype, at http://www.nla.gov.au/mediapedia/apps/
[2] Wikipedia Home Page, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
[3] Dublin Core Type Vocabulary, at http://dublincore.org/documents/dcmi-type-vocabulary/index.shtml
[4] RDA/ONIX Framework for Resource Categorization, at http://www.loc.gov/marc/marbi/2007/5chair10.pdf
[5] Mediapedia Classification information, at http://www.nla.gov.au/mediapedia/#classificationschema

Usage

There are a number of possible usages scenarios for the Mediapedia. These could include both Internal and External applications.

  1. Internal - NLA
    • Recording business knowledge
    • Media identification to enable data recovery and access
    • Assist in the identification of media for offers and collection assessment
    • Assist in the identification of media when managing collections and information technology infrastructure
      • Assist in the understanding the environment within which to make risk management and preservation assessments
      • Support the organisational information Lifecycle Management through its Digital Preservation Plan
  2. External – Regional [future possibilities]
    • Similar use by cultural institutions and government e.g. MAGDIR, Collections Council, Collections Australia, Digital Heritage Collections Action Plan Framework, etc.
    • Recording business knowledge
    • Media identification to enable risk management, data recovery and access
    • Share with others who also have a similar needs
  3. External Communities – International [future possibilities]
    • Recording business knowledge
    • Media identification to enable management, data recovery and access
    • Community of shared ‘trusted’ knowledge
    • Collaboration on conservation options for various media
    • Collaborative voting system to enable community quantification of risk management

Community Resource Proposal

The Mediapedia is currently a prototype for a web-based resource intended to enable the physical identification of various media carrier types. These could include media across various genres such as film, audio, data, paper carriers, etc. By identifying and knowing the subsequent characteristics and dependencies of these physical media carriers, allows for a more proactive management of the content they contain. As a result of technological change, some of these carriers (and more importantly their content) can often become inaccessible and lost within a short period of time.

This resource is designed to enable the capture and recording of associated technical and business knowledge, from either internal or external communities, about these various physical media formats. This is augmented by its systematic classification approach which enables identification of a wide range of media types, allowing for better evaluation, risk management assessments and associated decisions about their content.

It is hoped that the creation and use of the Mediapedia will provide a sustainable way of facilitating carrier type identification as well as documenting technical and preservation information. By enabling a community of specialist individuals and organizations to collaborate in the documentation of these carriers will hopefully create a sustainable body of knowledge which can be accessed centrally and persistently over time. In addition, as this type of web-based service is not only human readable, but eventually could also be machine harvestable, thus it could potentially be re-used by other services and information systems.

Organisational Usage

There are a number of possible usages scenarios for the Mediapedia within an organisation. It can be used to:

  • Record business knowledge
  • Allow media identification for collection assessment
  • Assist in the identification of media when managing collections in order to maintain access to the content
  • Assist in the identification of media when managing associated information technology infrastructure and associated dependencies for their lifecycle management.

Community Usage

In a broader context there is a proposal to extend the Mediapedia resource to become a community web-based resource. This would enable the capture and recording of business knowledge, from a broader knowledge base. Thus, the Mediapedia could be used to:

  • Share information and knowledge with others who also have a similar needs
  • Provide information that is freely accessible and available to others for their access and re-use
  • Develop a community of shared ‘trusted’ knowledge
  • Capture and recording of knowledge about physical media, and its preservation, whilst it is still available
  • Collaborate on conservation options for preservation and access to various physical media types.
  • Additional content system management functionality includes: membership listings, project tracking, calendar, standards, data dictionary, and glossary.

Please contact us, digitalpres@nla.gov.au , if you interested in becoming a community contributor.

Search the simple Mediapedia test site

To search our simple test site please direct your browser to:

http://mediapedia.nla.gov.au/home.php

The visual and physical descriptor fields are at the top of the page.

Remember it is early days, but hopefully have some fun and help us by sending us some useful feedback or even consider becoming a community contributor!

Screenshots of the 'content management system'

MediapediaMediapedia

These screenshots illustrate some of the potential multiple relationships that can be created within the Mediapedia content management system modules to enable the development, management and rendering options for accessing the content on physical media carriers.

Mediapedia: Modules of the content management system

For example, the Holotype view of a specific carrier type and its associated Variants, the Environment examples tab indicates which physical devices are known to have accommodated that particular media (Zip disks in this example). These later devices are displayed via a relationship to the Configulator & Environments databases.

Holotype Form View - Sound

Holotype Form View: Sound - showing documented Variants

Variant Form View: Sound - showing Basic Info

Variant Form View: Sound - showing Basic Info

Variant Form View: Sound - showing requirements for access

Variant Form View: Sound - showing requirements for access

Variant Form View: Sound - showing tape variant specifications

Variant Form View: Sound - showing tape variant specifications (including optional detailed close-up images)

Holotype Form View: Data - showing documented Variants

Holotype Form View: Data - showing documented Variants

Variant Form View: Data - showing known devices for access

Variant Form View: Data - showing known devices for access

 

Classification Schema

Objectives

The primary function of the Mediapedia classification system was to group the physical media into meaningful entities to make them discoverable across different audiences.

Classification = Flexible, extensible and meaningful

They were also been designed to meet the following objectives:

  • Comprehensiveness. The categories defined for each element should cover as fully as possible the range of categories that may be applicable to the resource described.
  • Clarity. The scope of each category should be stated in clear and unambiguous terms.
  • Extensibility. The categorization framework should be amenable to future extension to accommodate newly emerging types of media and formats.
  • Compatibility. The categories defined for each element should be compatible, as far as possible, with those defined by other resource description communities.
  • Adaptability. The display of category labels should be adaptable to the needs and preferences of specific user communities.

Alignment with community frameworks for Resource Categorization

The categories defined for type of Genre reflect the attribute of resource carrier defined in the RDA Framework as Intermediation Tool (i.e. the type of device intended to be used to enable the content of the resource to be perceived).

The categories for type of Process reflect a more organic classification of the physical recording medium, which provides a useful classification from  technology, risk management and conservation perspectives .

The categories for type of Carrier represent a concatenation of the Intermediation Tool with two additional attributes of carrier defined within the Framework:

  • Storage Medium Format (i.e., the physical form of the material on which the content of the resource is stored)
  • Housing Format (i.e., the physical format of the encasing for the storage medium).

The sub-values that are being proposed for the purposes of constructing categories for Carrier type are based upon the values for the Storage Medium Format.

Levels of specificity

The categories proposed for Media Genre are defined at a broad level. They are designed to assist the user in identifying resources with respect to the basis of very general characteristics of the genre and carrier of the resource.

The categories for type of Process reflect a more organic classification which provides a useful classification level from a technology and conservation perspective.

The categories proposed for type of Carrier are defined at a more specific level. The categories proposed for type of Carrier incorporate the additional level of specificity of the recording medium according to the classification hierarchy.

Terminology

The terms used to designate categories in the drafts of these categorisations have been drawn from several sources, including Dublin Core and the drafts of the RDA.

Although the terms are designed to reflect common usage, it is recognised that usage varies from one community to another as well as changes over time. The terms used should be treated simply as “labels” to designate the categories.

Level 1 - Genre (Category)

Contents

Basic instructions on recording genre of the media (category)

Scope

Media Genre is a categorisation of the carrier(s) of a resource, reflecting in general terms the type of content.

Recording media genre

Record the media genre to which the carrier of the resource belongs using one or more of the terms listed below as applicable.

TERM SCOPE

Data - Media used to store electronic files, designed for use with a computer; includes media that are accessed remotely through file servers as well as direct-access media such as computer tapes and discs.

Sound - Media used to store recorded sound, designed for use with a playback device such as a turntable, audiocassette player, CD player, or MP3 player. Includes media used to store digitally encoded as well as analogue sound.

Still Image - Media used to store still images, designed for use with still cameras or a projection device such as a slide projector, or overhead projector; includes media designed to record or project both two-dimensional and three-dimensional images.

Microform - Media used to store reduced-size images, designed for use with a device such as a microfilm or microfiche reader; includes both transparent and opaque micrographic media.

Moving Image - Media used to store moving images, designed for use with a playback device such as a motion picture film projector, a videocassette player or DVD player. Includes media used to store digitally encoded as well as analogue images.

Unmediated - Media used to store text, music notation, images, forms, etc., designed to be perceived directly through one or more of the human senses without the aid of an intermediating device; includes media containing visual and/or tactile content produced using processes such as printing, engraving, lithography, etc., embossing, texturing, etc., or by means of handwriting, drawing, painting, etc. Also includes media used to convey three-dimensional forms such as sculptures, models, etc.

  • If none of the terms listed above apply to the carrier of the resource being described, record as Unmediated.
  • Record as many terms (or codes) as are applicable to the resource being described.

Alternative:

If the resource being described comprises two or more media genre

a)initially record the media genre that applies to the predominant use of the resource (if there is a predominant part) first, then add

b) the media genre that applies to the most substantial use of the resource (including the predominant part, if there is one) first, then add any additional genres

Level 2.1 – Carrier (Enclosure) Type

Contents

Basic instructions on recording type of carrier, and optionally its enclosure.

Scope

Type of carrier is a categorization of the carrier(s) of a resource, reflecting in general terms the format of the physical storage medium which when in combination with the type of intermediation device enables accessing the resource.

Recording type of carrier

Record the type of carrier used to convey the content of the resource using one or more of the terms listed below (or an equivalent code), as applicable.

These terms are defined in the accompanying Glossary.

Carrier (enclosure) Examples of Carrier Names
Data carriers
paper card Computer Punch Card
paper tape reel Linotype typesetter
disc CD-ROM (CD-R/CD-RW), DVD-ROM (DVD-R/DVD-RW)
disc/disk cartridge 15” Disk Cartridge, Iomega Jaz Disk, Iomega Zip Disk, Lark Disk (CRC Model 91208), SyQuest PLI 3 ½” Removable Hard Disk Cartridge, SyQuest PLI 5 ¼” Removable Hard Disk Cartridge, 3 ½” Floppy Disk, 3 ½” LS-120 Super Disk, Max-EP Enhanced Polycarbonate Formatted Erasable Optical Cartridge, 5 ¼” Removable Optical Disk (MO), 3 ½” Removable Optical Disk (MO)
disc pack Wang Disk Pack
disk sleeved 5 ¼” Floppy Disk, 8” Floppy Disk
flash memory card digital camera cards
flash memory stick USB thumb drive, memory sticks, jump drives
hard disk
online  *4
ROM cartridge Computer game cartridges
smart card Telephone SIM cards, ‘smart’ credit cards
tape cartridge 3480/3490/3490E ½” Data Cartridge, DLT-I, DLT-II, DLT-III, DLT-IV, Super DLT-I, Travan TR1-7 ¼” Cartridges, LTO
tape cassette 4mm DDS Tape Data Cartridge, 8mm 112 & 160m ExaTape, 8mm Mammoth, AIT, DC2000 3 ¼” Mini Data Cartridge, DC2120 3 ¼” Mini Data Cartridge, DC300-6000 5 ¼” Data Cartridge, DC3xxx XL 3 ¼” Data Cartridge, DC6xxx 5 ¼” Data Cartridge, DC9xxx 5 ¼” Data Cartridge
tape reel 7-9 Track ½” Mag (open reel) Tape
Microform carriers
aperture card
microfiche
microfiche cassette
microfilm cartridge
microfilm cassette
microfilm reel
microfilm slip
microopaque
Moving Image carriers
film cartridge
film cassette
film reel  *3
filmslip
filmstrip
filmstrip cartridge
tape cartridge
tape cassette Video Hi8 Tape – PAL, NTSF; MiniDV Video Tape – PAL, NTSC; VHS Video Cassette PAL, NTSC; Digital Betacam Tape – PAL, NTSC; Betacam SP Tape – PAL, NTSC; etc.
video disc
tape reel
Sound carriers
Tape cartridge
Tape cassette Compact cassette
Cylinder  *1
disc LP Record, CD-ROM
roll  *2
tape reel
audio film reel
Still Image carriers
disc Canon still video disc VF-50
film cartridge Fuji Reala 135 color negative film
film cassette Kodacolor 126
film spool Ektachrome 30 metres
filmslip
filmstrip Kodak Kodacolor negative film
filmstrip cartridge
flash memory card digital camera cards such as CompactFlash (CF), SD, XD, Mini SD, etc.
flash memory stick USB thumb drive, memory sticks, jump drives
glass negative Ilford Super Panchromatic plates
plastic negative Kodak TMax 100 B&W negative film
positive transparency/slide  *5 Kodachrome color slide film
paper print Ilford Multigrade Fibre
plastic print Kodak PolyMax RC paper
overhead transparency
slide
stereograph card
stereograph reel
Unmediated carriers
book  *6 Hardback, paperback, spiral bound, etc.
card
flipchart
microscope slide
paper
sheet

If none of the terms listed above apply to the carrier of the resource being described, record other (or an equivalent term).

Record as many terms (or codes) as are applicable to the resource being described.

Alternative:

If the resource being described comprises two or more types of carrier, record only

  • the carrier type that applies to the predominant part of the resource (if there is a predominant part) or
  • the carrier types that apply to the most substantial parts of the resource (including the predominant part, if there is one).
    1. Use for wax cylinders, etc.
    2. Use for piano rolls, etc.
    3. Use for sound-track films, whether or not they are intended to accompany visual images on film.
    4. Use for digital resources that are accessed remotely through a communications network.
    5. Use for photographic slides only; for slides designed to be used with a microscope use microscope slide.
    6. Use for all types of bound volumes (hardcover or soft cover), including those with spiral bindings, slide bindings, ring bindings, etc.

Level 2.2 - Process Type

Contents

Basic instructions on recording the type of process used to record information.

Scope

Type of process is a categorisation to record the type of process used to record the information on the physical media.

Recording type of process

Record the composition of the process of media used to record the content of the resource using one or more of the initial list of terms below (or an equivalent code), as applicable.

    • magnetic
    • magnetic/optical
    • mechanical
    • optical
    • paper
    • photo chemical
    • photo mechanical
    • photo digital
    • solid state
  • If none of the terms listed above apply to the recording media of the resource being described, record other (or an equivalent term).
  • Record as many terms (or codes) as are applicable to the resource being described.

Alternative:

If the resource being described comprises two or more types of media, record only

  1. a) the media type that applies to the predominant part of the resource (if there is a predominant part) or
  2. b) the media types that apply to the most substantial parts of the resource (including the predominant part, if there is one).

Level 2.3 - Medium Type

Contents

Basic instructions on recording the type of underlying form of the physical medium.

Scope

Form of the recording medium is a categorization of the recording medium, reflecting in general terms the instance of the form of the underlying recording medium.

Recording the form

Record the type of the recording medium to convey the specific instance of the recording media which may be available in one or more forms.

e.g.    ½” tape, magnetic floppy disk, 35 mm film, 2” open reel video tape

Level 3 - Name

Contents

Basic instructions on recording the Common Name of the carrier of the physical media.

Scope

Name of carrier is a categorization of the common name or registered trademarked name of the physical media carrier utilised to store a resource. The registered trademarked name may be misleading to its actual classification due to it being a marketing name. For example, a product marketed as a Jaz disk is in fact, within the definitions of the Mediapedia, a ‘Disk Cartridge’.

Recording the carrier name

Record the registered or common name of the carrier including any identifying features as applicable.

e.g. Zip disc 100Mb.

Kodak Ektachrome 64 film ER 5031 [Rendering Intent - (Photographic)]

See Carriers Table in previous section for further examples

Level 4.1 - Manufacturer

Contents

Basic instructions on recording the Manufacturer of the physical media.

Scope

Manufacturer is a the name of the organisation producing the media carrier.  

Recording type of carrier

Record the name of the manufacturer of the media carrier.

Level 4.2 - Product Code

Contents

Basic instructions on recording manufacturer’s product code for identification of the recording medium.

Scope

Product code is the manufacturer’s code number/name for identification of the recording medium.

Recording product code

Record the product code of the recording media used to enable uniquely identifying materials for risk assessment, preservation assessment, digitisation, reformatting, or transformation.

Glossary

The Glossary is now available on-line utilising the same logon details as per the Mediapedia, noted above, but at the following URL.

http://mediapedia.nla.gov.au/glossary/home.php

(DRAFT was initially based upon RDA carrier categorisation listing)

  • Analogue - A recording in which continuous signals from a sound or video source are written to the tape magnetically.
  • Aperture card. A card with one or more rectangular openings or apertures holding frames of microfilm.
  • Audio. A category of media used to store recorded sound, designed for use with a playback device such as a turntable, audiocassette player, CD player, or MP3 player.
  • Audio cartridge. A cartridge containing an audio tape. See ‘Cartridge’ below.
  • Audio cassette. A cassette containing an audio tape. See ‘Cassette’ below.
  • Audio cylinder. A roller-shaped object on which sound waves are incised or indented in a
  • continuous circular groove.
  • Audio disc. A disc on which sound waves, recorded as modulations or pulses, are incised or indented in a continuous spiral groove.
  • Audio roll. A roll of paper on which musical notes are represented by perforations, designed to mechanically reproduce the music when used in a player piano, player organ, etc.
  • Audio tape. A length of magnetic tape on which are recorded electrical signals that can be converted to sound using audio playback equipment.
  • Audio tape reel. An open reel holding a length of audio tape to be used with reel-to-reel audio equipment.
  • Audio film reel. An open reel holding a length of film on which the sound intended to accompany moving images is recorded.
  • Binding. An outer cover affixed to a gathering of one or more sheets.
  • Book. One or more sheets contained in a binding.
  • Card. A small sheet of opaque material.
  • Cartographic. A category of content representing the whole or part of the Earth or any celestial body at any scale.
  • Cartridge.
    • 1. A casing fitted with a single reel holding a length of tape or film which has its ends joined together in a continuous loop.
    • 2. A casing fitted with a single reel or hub holding a length of microfilm, the end of which is left free for threading into a microfilm reader.
    • 3. A casing holding one or more computer discs or chips.
  • Cassette. A casing fitted with two reels holding a length of tape or film, the ends of which are each attached to a separate reel.
  • Component Video - This term is applied to videotape formats that encode colour information as basically two (or three) signals: Luminance (Y), and colour difference (R-Y, B-Y). It is superior to Composite Video because it accomplishes a better (subjectively) colour rendering with a limited bandwidth. Formats that are component include: Betacam SP, M-II, S-VHS, D-1, D-5.
  • Composite Video - In order to record colour information given limited bandwidth, all colour information is compiled into one signal. Generally the colour signal is limited to PAL or NTSC requirements. Formats that are composite include: any format prior to 1982, D-2, D-3.
  • Computer card. A card containing digitally encoded data designed for use with a computer.
  • Computer chip cartridge. A cartridge containing a miniaturized electronic circuit on a small wafer of semiconductor silicon.
  • Computer dataset. A category of content expressed through a digitally encoded dataset(s), intended to be processed by a computer.
  • Computer disc. A disc containing digitally encoded data, magnetically or optically recorded, designed for use with a computer.
  • Computer disc cartridge. A cartridge containing one or more computer discs.
  • Computer program. A category of content expressed through digitally encoded instructions intended to be processed and performed by a computer.
  • Computer tape. A length of magnetic tape on which are recorded digitally encoded data designed to be processed by a computer.
  • Computer tape cartridge. A cartridge containing a computer tape.
  • Computer tape cassette. A cassette containing a computer tape.
  • Computer tape reel. An open reel holding a length of computer tape to be used with a computer tape drive.
  • Disc. A flat, circular piece of plastic, metal, etc.
  • Digital. A category of media used to store electronic files, designed for use with a computer.
  • Film cartridge. A cartridge containing a length of motion picture film.
  • Film cassette. A cassette containing a length of motion picture film.
  • Film reel. An open reel holding a length of motion picture film to be used with a motion picture film projector.
  • Filmslip. A short strip of film.
  • Filmstrip. A roll of film containing a succession of images intended for projection one at a time, with or without recorded sound.
  • Filmstrip cartridge. A cartridge containing a filmstrip.
  • Flash memory. A type of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) non-volatile computer memory that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It is a technology that is primarily used in memory cards, and USB flash drives (thumb drives, handy drive, memory stick, flash stick, jump drive) for general storage and transfer of data between computers and other digital products.
  • Image. A category of content expressed through line, shape, shading, etc., intended to be perceived visually as a still image(s) in two dimensions.
  • Microfiche. A sheet of film bearing a number of micro images in a two-dimensional array.
  • Microfiche cassette. A cassette containing a length of uncut microfiches.
  • Microfilm. A length of film bearing a number of micro images in linear array.
  • Microfilm cartridge. A cartridge containing a length of microfilm.
  • Microfilm cassette. A cassette containing a length of microfilm.
  • Microfilm reel. An open reel holding a length of microfilm to be threaded into a microfilm reader.
  • Microfilm slip. A short strip of microfilm cut from a roll.
  • Microopaque. A sheet of opaque material bearing a number of micro images in a two dimensional array.
  • Microform. A category of media used to store reduced-size images, designed for use with a device such as a microfilm or microfiche reader.
  • Microscopic. A category of media used to store minute objects, designed for use with a device such as a microscope to reveal details invisible to the naked eye.
  • Moving image. A category of content expressed through images intended to be perceived as moving, in two dimensions.
  • Music notation. A category of content expressed through a notational system for music intended to be perceived visually.
  • NTSC - National Television Standards Committee. The colour TV standard of the USA, Canada and Japan. This system scans the video image into 525 horizontal lines every 1/30 of a second.
  • Online. A digital resource accessed by means of hardware and software connections to a communications network.
  • Overhead transparency. A sheet of transparent material bearing an image designed for use with an overhead projector.
  • PAL - Phase Alternation by Line. The colour TV standard of western Europe, excluding France. It is a higher resolution format than NTSC as it scans the video image into 625 lines every 1/25 of a second.
  • Performed music. A category of content expressed through music in an audible form.
  • Projection. A category of media used to store moving or still images, designed for use with a projection device such as a motion picture film projector, slide projector, or overhead projector.
  • Reel. A flanged spool designed to hold a length of tape or film.
  • Roll. A wound length of material (paper, film, tape, etc.).
  • SECAM - Sequential couleur a memoir. The colour standard of France and the former Soviet Union. Similar to PAL.
  • Sheet. A flat piece of thin material (paper, plastic, etc.), usually rectangular in shape.
  • Slide. A small sheet of transparent material bearing an image designed for use with a slide projector or viewer.
  • Smart card - A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card (ICC), is defined as any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which can process information. This implies that it can receive input which is processed - by way of the ICC applications - and delivered as an output. An example is the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card which is a removable smart card used to store network specific information to authenticate and identify subscribers on the Global System for Mobile communications network.
  • SMPTE - Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. This association produces standards for formats and sponsors technical workgroups on issues within the film and video markets both professional and consumer.
  • Spoken word. A category of content expressed through language in an audible form.
  • Stereograph card. A card bearing stereographic images.
  • Stereograph reel. A disc with openings around the perimeter holding pairs of still images designed for use with a stereograph viewer.
  • Stereographic. A category of media used to store pairs of still images, designed for use with a device such as a stereoscope or stereograph viewer to give the effect of three dimensions.
  • Tactile image. A category of content expressed through line, shape, and/or other forms intended to be perceived through touch as a still image(s) in two dimensions.
  • Tactile music. A category of content expressed through a notational system for music intended to be perceived through touch.
  • Tactile text. A category of content expressed through a notational system for language intended to be perceived through touch.
  • Text. A category of content expressed through a notational system for language intended to be perceived visually.
  • Three-dimensional moving image. A category of content expressed through images intended to be perceived as moving, in three dimensions.
  • Three-dimensional form. A category of content expressed through a form or forms intended to be perceived, either visually and/or through touch, from more than one side.
  • Unmediated. A category of media used to store text, music notation, images, forms, etc., designed to be perceived directly through one or more of the human senses without the aid of an intermediating device.
  • Video. A category of media used to store moving or still images, designed for use with a playback device such as a videocassette player or DVD player.
  • Video cartridge. A cartridge containing a video tape. See ‘Cartridge’ above.
  • Video cassette. A cassette containing a video tape. See ‘Cassette’ above.
  • Video disc. A disc on which video signals, with or without sound, are recorded.
  • Video tape. A length of magnetic tape on which are recorded electrical signals that can be converted to images using video playback equipment.
  • Video tape reel. An open reel holding a length of video tape for use with reel-to-reel video equipment.

Sources: varied, includes RDA, IASA, Stanford Video Identification Guide, etc.

last updated 15/7/2009

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