Glossary
Glossary (within the context of the DMIA guide)
A
Access = the ability to locate and retrieve data.
Aesthetic = artistic beauty.
Archive = preserved data.
Authority control = the preferred form (e.g., heading, title, subject name).
B
Backup = a copy of data stored in a separate location.
Backward compatible = designed to function using older versions.
Bit = a binary digit, represented by zeroes and ones (base two).
Born-digital = data created in electronic format.
Broadcast wave format = preferred digital audio format (.wav).
B-roll = footage captured for background and supplementary use.
C
CGI = computer-generated imagery.
Checksum = mathematical error-detection to verify data integrity.
Clarity = visual accuracy or quality.
Codec = software encoding.
Compression = to lose original bits of data when encoding or decoding digital data. Compressing data results in a smaller file size.
Content = data or information.
Context = meaning.
Curate = responsible management.
D
Data = information.
Decode = to translate.
Digital source master = original master files created in post production.
Digital cinema distribution master = digital cinema package for distribution.
DVD = digital video disk.
E
Encode = to convert.
External storage = hardware for storing digital files outside a computer.
F
Fidelity = audio accuracy or quality.
Fixity = stable.
Format = combination of a data codec and a wrapper.
Forward compatibility = designed to function in future versions.
H
Hardware = physical, mechanic and electrical units.
I
Intellectual property = legal rights to products or artistic works, including copyright, patent or trademark.
J
JPEG 2000 = Joint Photographic Experts Group digital cinema video format standard.
L
Lossless = compression of digital files without loss of the original bits of data.
Luminosity = measurement of brightness.
M
Malware = malicious software.
Metadata = information about data.
Migration = movement of digital objects from one storage source to another.
N
Naming convention = rules for naming.
O
Object = data (digital).
Open-source = tools that are not proprietary.
Original = data generated by an electronic camera, audio device or computer source.
P
Pixelated = when square visual display elements are visible.
Preservation = to ensure long-term access.
Production = the artistic presentation.
Proprietary = software or other electronic tools developed by a commercial entity that controls distribution and development.
Provenance = the ownership and custodial history of a valuable object or work of art.
R
Record = data (digital file), or to generate using video or audio equipment.
Reel = track files of a specific temporal duration.
Resolution = the sharpness or detail of an image.
S
Software = computer hardware instructions.
Shareable = capable of being distributed.
T
Tagging = to attach information (e.g., keyword or term).
Transformation = conversion from one digital format to another.
Trusted digital repository = certified, reliable, long-term access to managed digital resources.
V
Video library = a collection of identified and organized videos.
Virus = malicious software.
W
Wrapper = a file format that contains audio, video and metadata.