Recording format
A recording format is a format for encoding data for storage on a storage medium. The format can be container information such as sectors on a disk, or user/audience information (content) such as analog stereo audio. Multiple levels of encoding may be achieved in one format. For example, a text encoded page may contain HTML and XML encoding, combined in a plain text file format, using either EBCDIC or ASCII character encoding, on a UDF digitally formatted disk.
In electronic media, the primary format is the encoding that requires hardware to interpret (decode) data; while secondary encoding is interpreted by secondary signal processing methods, usually computer software.
Recording container formats
A container format is a system for dividing physical storage space or virtual space for data. Data space can be divided evenly by a system of measurement, or divided unevenly with meta data. A grid may divide physical or virtual space with physical or virtual (dividers) borders, evenly or unevenly. Just as a physical container (such as a file cabinet) is divided by physical borders (such as drawers and file folders), data space is divided by virtual borders. Meta data such as a unit of measurement, address, or meta tags act as virtual borders in a container format. A template may be considered an abstract format for containing a solution as well as the content itself.
- Systems of measurement
- Metric system
- Geographic coordinate system
- Page grid
- Film formats
- Audio data format
- Video tape format
- Disk format
- File format
- Meta data
- Text formatting
- Template
- Data structure
Raw content formats
A raw content format is a system of converting data to displayable information. Raw content formats may either be recorded in secondary signal processing methods such as a software container format (e.g. digital audio, digital video) or recorded in the primary format. A primary raw content format may be directly observable (e.g. image, sound, motion, smell, sensation) or physical data which only requires hardware to display it, such as a phonographic needle and diaphragm or a projector lamp and magnifying glass.
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- Music box cylinder or disc (9th century)
- Mechanical cuckoo (early 17th century)
- Punched card (1881)
- Music roll (1883)
Grooved surface |
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Grooved cylinder |
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Grooved disc |
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Grooved tape | |
Sound-on-film |
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Loose magnetic wire |
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Magnetic wire cartridge |
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Magnetic surface |
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Loose (reel-to-reel) magnetic tape |
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Magnetic tape cartridge |
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- Soundstream (1976)
- X80/ProDigi (1980)
- DASH (1982)
- PCM adaptor (1982)
- DA-88/DTRS (1993)
Magnetic tape cartridge |
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Sound-on-film | |
Optical disc | |
Electronic circuit |
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- Mini-cassette (1967)
- U-matic (1971)
- Pioneer Artists Compact LaserDisc (1986)
- CD Video (1987)
- ADAT (1991)
- Timecode vinyl (2001)
- VinylDisc (2007)