Format/Extent
Definition
Description of the physical artefact or the digital file on which a Manifestation is fixed (FIAF 2.3.4). This includes the type of carrier (video cassette, film or audio reel, digital file) and the format of the file or carrier (VHS, Betamax, 35mm film reel, WAV, MP3).
Provides information about the physical characteristics of an item and its carrier.
Extent
Physical description (300) + other 3XX field regarding carrier
AV_Format
MatType
Physical Description
Format (007)
Main use is for retrievals in LE&E team and for researchers to know how much/what material to expect.
Format
Quantity, format of physical media (duration hh:mm:ss) e.g.
2 audio cassettes (00:03:30)
Extent/1 - Quantity, format of digital media. Extent/2 - (size) e.g.
Extent/1 3 floppy disks Extent/2 (56 MB)
Extent/1 5 WAV files Extent/2 (78 MB)
Extent/1 2 MP3 files Extent/2 (45 MB)
Number of digital files, (size) e.g.
Extent/1 2 digital audio files Extent/2 (1 GB)
Extent/1 4 digital video files Extent/2 (46.78 MB)
Rules
Include quantity, format and duration, if known.
Where a recording consists of multiple physical items (e.g. a single interview recorded across 2 audio tapes, create one record for the intellectual item and record the number of constituent physical items, with the total duration of the recording. Add further information in the description or a note where necessary (e.g. duration of each constituent item, or if a recording only occupies one side of a tape).
For digitised items, create a separate record for the digital file, in addition to the original physical item.
Where a single item contains multiple recordings, (e.g. a compilation), catalogue as a single physical item and list each constituent recording. On digitisation, a record can be created for each intellectual item if appropriate, so long as it is made clear that they were originally on the same physical item.
For born digital or digitised items, in CALM, add size of file in extent/2
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