Add format, broadcast system, brand name process, or other technical specifications for a video, if this information is necessary for viewing.  Insert this information after the unit count for a complete work, or, after the abbreviation "inc." for an incomplete work.  If there is no original number of units given, record this information after the specific material designation.  Enclose the video format or other video technical specification in parentheses.

300 ## $a 1 videocassette of 1 (D2) : $b sd., col. ; $c 19 mm. $3 master.

300 ## $a 1 videocassette (VHS) (ca. 60 min.) : $b sd., col. ; $c 1/2 in. $3 viewing copy.

300 ## $a 3 videodiscs of 3 (optical) (119 min.) : $b sd., col. ; $c 12 in. $3 viewing copy.

300 ## $a 2 videodiscs of 2 (VHD) (101 min.) : $b sd., col. ; $c 12 in. $3 viewing copy.

300 ## $a 1 videocassette of 1 (Betacam SP) (30 min.) : $b sd., col. ; $c 1/2 in. $3 master.

300 ## $a 2 videocassettes of 2 (U-Matic, PAL) (90 min.) : $b sd., col. ; $c 3/4 in. $3 viewing copy.

Use the following video format terms as needed.  Abbreviations are utilized when available.  This list is not comprehensive.  Additional sources of information include several Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standards, engineering guidelines, and recommended practices, The VidiPax Videotape Format and Preservation Guide, and The Guide to Digital Television.

Beta  [Use for Betamax]

Betacam

Betacam SP

Betacam SX

CD

CD-R

CD-RW

CED

D1

D2

D3

D5

D6

D9  [Use for Digital-S]

D9 HD

D16

DCT

DV

DVCAM

DVCPRO  [Use for D7]

DVCPRO 50

DVCPRO HD

DVCPRO P

DVD

DVD-R

DVD-RAM

DVD-ROM

DVD-RW

Digital Betacam

ED Beta

EIAJ

HD D5

HDCAM

Hi-8

M-II

Optical

Quad

S-VHS

Type A

Type B

Type C

U-Matic

VHD

VHS

If a video format is adequately identified by its width (e.g., 8 mm.), no format term is used.  See 5D.

At times, more than one video technical specification may be given in order to provide the information necessary for viewing.  This is likely to happen with a VHS video in the PAL or SECAM broadcast system.  Separate multiple video technical specifications with a comma, space and place them in a single set of parentheses.

300 ## $a 1 videocassette of 1 (VHS, PAL) (60 min.) : $b sd., col. ; $c 1/2 in. $3 viewing copy.

Omit video technical specifications that are standard for the country of the archive.  For example, NTSC is the color broadcast system that has been standard for the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Japan.

Optionally, always record video technical specifications.

See also:

5B.  Extent of work and specific material designation

5.  Physical Description Area