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.