Cataloger's Reference Shelf
CONSER Editing Guide
Cataloger's Reference Shelf
CONSER Editing Guide
007 Videorecording (R)
(Physical Description Fixed Field 007/00
= v)
Description/Instructions
This field contains information about the physical characteristics of videorecordings in a coded form. Use of code "v" for videorecording in byte 00 (subfield $a) determines the meaning of the remaining character positions in the field. For a complete list of the other possible 007/00 codes and their related data elements, see the 007 – General Information section.
The 007 field is repeatable to allow for coding different formats described in the record. A single record covering different videorecording formats may include more than one 007 field to represent the different formats in subfield $e (videorecording format). A serial videorecording issued in Beta and VHS, for example, would be represented by two 007 fields with codes "a" and "b" in subfield $e. All subfields are "not repeatable" and must be coded.
This field is defined in MARC 21 for videorecordings as a fixed-length field consisting of nine character positions. In the OCLC system the character positions have been assigned subfield code equivalents.
Character positions/subfield codes
00/$a Category of material
01/$b Specific material designation
03/$d Color
04/$e Videorecording format
05/$f Sound on medium or separate
06/$g Medium for sound
07/$h Dimensions
08/$i Configuration of playback channels
Examples:
007 v $b f $d c $e a $f a $g h $h o $i s
[Item is a videorecording (subfield $a); in a cassette (subfield $b); in color (subfield $d); in the Beta format (subfield $e); has sound on medium ($f); on videotape ($g); tape width is 1/2 in. ($h); with stereophonic sound ($i).]
007 v $b f $d c $e c $f a $g h $h r $i m
[Item is a videorecording (subfield $a); in a cassette (subfield $b); in color ($d); in U-matic format ($e); has sound on medium ($f); on videotape ($g); tape width is 3/4 in. ($h); with monaural sound ($i).]
007 v $b d $d c $e g $f a $g i $h z $i s
[Item is a videorecording (subfield $a); on videodisc ($b); in color ($d); laser optical system ($e); sound on medium ($f); on videodisc ($g); other width or dimension than those given for videotape ($h); with stereophonic sound ($i).]
Definitions of character positions/subfield codes
00/$a Category of material
v Videorecording
Code "v" indicates that the item is a videorecording, which is defined as a recording on which visual images, usually in motion and accompanied by sound, have been registered. It is designed for playback on a television receiver, or video monitor.
01/$b Specific material designation (SMD)
z Other
Videocartridge - Use code "c" to indicate that the item is a videocartridge. A videocartridge is a videorecording on tape encased in a cartridge and which has the ends joined together to form a continuous loop.
Videodisc - Use code "d" to indicate that the item is a videodisc. A videodisc is a flat disc of plastic or other material on which video signals, with or without sound, are recorded. Various videodisc systems have been developed (e.g., laser-optical, capacitance, magnetic, etc.).
Videocassette - Use code "f" to indicate that the item is a videocassette. A videocassette is a videorecording on tape encased in a cassette which runs reel-to-reel.
Videoreel - Use code "r" to indicate that the item is a videoreel. A videoreel is a videorecording on a spool of tape mounted on a reel and designed to play from reel-to-reel across a playback pick-up device.
Other - Use code "z" for a videorecording for which none of the other defined codes is appropriate.
03/$d Color
m Mixed
u Unknown
z Other
Black-and-white - Use code "b" to indicate that the images in the videorecording are executed in black-and-white.
Multicolored - Use code "c" to indicate that the videorecording is executed in more than one color.
Mixed - Use code "m" to indicate that the work or collection is a combination of black-and-white, colored, and/or other images.
Not applicable - Use code "n" to indicate that the item has no images. It is used, for example, when the item in hand is a videorecording with sound only.
Unknown - Use code "u" if the color characteristics of an item are unknown.
Other - Use code "z" for color characteristics for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate (e.g., toned, stained, tinted, etc.).
04/$e Videorecording format
a Beta (1/2 in., videocassette)
b VHS (1/2 in., videocassette)
c U-matic (3/4 in., videocassette)
f Quadruplex (1 in. or 2 in., reel)
h CED (Capacitance Electronic Disc) videodisc
i Betacam (1/2 in., videocassette)
j Betacam SP (1/2 in., videocassette)
k Super-VHS (1/2 in., videocassette)
m M-II (1/2 in., videocassette)
o D-2 (3/4 in., videocassette)
p 8 mm.
q Hi-8 mm.
u Unknown
v DVD
z Other
Beta (1/2 in., videocassette) - Use code "a" for the home video system introduced in 1975 by Sony for home video recording and playback on 1/2 inch videotape. It is distinguished by the size of the cassette, its U-load tape threading, and technical capabilities. This format is also known as Betamax.
VHS (1/2 in., videocassette) - Use code "b" for the home video system introduced in 1977 by Japan Victor Corporation (JVC) for home video recording and playback on 1/2 inch videotape. It is distinguished by the size of the cassette, its M-load tape threading, and technical capabilities. VHS stands for "Video Home System".
U-matic (3/4 in., videocassette) - Use code "c" for a video format using Sony's trademark name which refers to its tape threading path in a U-shape. It is the worldwide standard for 3/4 inch videotape and is used extensively in industrial and broadcast production. Like the two 1/2 in. home video formats, it uses a helical scan recording system. It is also known as U type standard.
EIAJ (1/2 in., reel) - Use code "d" for the standard 1/2 inch reel-to-reel helical scan videotape system named for the Japanese standards committee (Electronics Industries Association of Japan) which set the standards for 1/2 in. video tape recorders manufactured since 1969. Referred to as "the old trailblazer."
Type C (1 in., reel) - Use code "e" to indicate the "type C" videorecording format. This 1 inch videotape recording system utilizes one video head and tape runs at 9.61 inches per second. Type B system uses 2 heads and runs at 9.65 ips; Type A is an obsolete early system. Type B is still used in the U.S. and overseas (as of 1982), but Type C is the 1 inch format most widely employed as the broadcasting standard in the U.S. and overseas. Type C equipment and technology are made by Sony, RCA, and others.
Quadruplex (1 in. or 2 in., reel) - Use code "f" to indicate the Quadruplex videorecording system. As opposed to the helical scan system, which uses one head, this video recording system uses four video recording heads. Often referred to as Quad, it was developed by Ampex in the mid-1950's. It provided higher quality resolution and color than did helical scanning. Quadruplex was the broadcast standard until recently, when less expensive helical scan systems have begun to overtake it. When describing a 2 inch videoreel that is not Quadruplex, use the code "z" (Other).
Laserdisc - Use code "g" to indicate a Laser optical videorecording system. It is based on a grooveless, smooth round plastic disc, usually 12 in. in diameter, with a mirror-like surface on both sides on which video information is stored. The disc is read (played back) by a weak laser beam, that registers data appearing on the surface of the disc as tiny pits or depressions of varying lengths. This optical disc system became available to the public in 1978 and is currently used in home and industrial applications.
CED (Capacitance Electronic Disc) videodisc - Use code "h" to indicate a CED videorecording system. It is based on a plastic disc, usually 12 in. in diameter, on which visual information is recorded as deep pits in the bottom of the grooves. This visual information is read by a needle-in-the-groove type of electronic stylus that translates variance in capacitance into a video and audio signal. The CED disc is characteristically housed in a protective jacket. In 1984, the manufacturer of CED players, RCA, announced its decision to cease production of the "RCA Selectavision" players.
Betacam (1/2 in., videocassette) - Use code "i" to indicate a Betacam videorecording format, a professional analog format using component coding recorded on 1/2 inch oxide tape, housed in a cassette.
Betacam SP (1/2 in., videocassette) - Use code "j" to indicate a Betacam SP videorecording format, a professional analog format using component coding recorded on 1/2 inch metal tape, housed in a cassette. It is designed to yield a higher grade recording than the regular Betacam format, providing improved video quality and a better audio signal-to-noise ratio. There are two analog video tracks plus two FM (CD quality) audio tracks.
Super-VHS (1/2 in., videocassette) - Use code "k" to indicate a Super-VHS format. It was originally designed for the consumer market to encode analog signals using a helical scan on 1/2 inch ferric-oxide tape, housed in a standard cassette. It has gained acceptance professionally in the broadcast industry and is now considered a professional format. Super-VHS format machines encode 400 lines of horizontal resolution and can play back videotapes recorded on regular VHS machines. Super-VHS requires high-grade tape and a high-resolution monitor equipped with separate Y/C (Luminance/Chrominance) video inputs. Super-VHS-C is the same video format but uses a special compact mini-cassette (often used with hand-held video cameras). These mini-cassettes can be used with standard VHS recorders by means of a special adapter cassette into which the mini-cassette is inserted.
M-II (1/2 in., videocassette) - Use code "m" to indicate an M-II videorecording format, a professional analog format using 1/2 inch metallic tape, housed in a cassette. It was developed by Panasonic as an alternative to the Betacam format developed by Sony.
D-2 (3/4 in., videocassette) - Use code "o" to indicate a D-2 videorecording format, a professional digital videorecording format using composite coding on 3/4 inch metal particle tape, housed in a cassette. The digital encoding allows for multi-generation signal transfer (copying or dubbing) without signal degradation. Duplicate recordings are effectively identical to the original master. There are four independently editable PCM audio channels, offering a dynamic range of more than 90 db (decibels). Additionally, it has separate tracks for an analog audio cue and time code.
8 mm. - Use code "p" to indicate an 8 mm. format. This format is designed for small consumer-market camera/recorders (camcorders) using 8 mm. metal particle tape, housed in a mini-cassette. The video quality is comparable to standard VHS. The audio quality is superior to similar mini formats.
Hi-8 mm. - Use code "q" to indicate an 8 mm. format designed for higher resolution than standard 8mm. tape. It is a consumer-market format that uses 8 mm. metal particle or evaporated metal tape, housed in a mini-cassette.
Unknown - Use code "u" if the videorecording format is unknown.
DVD - Code "v" indicates a laser optical (reflective) videorecording system that uses a digital technique called PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) to represent video information on a grooveless, smooth, round plastic disc. The disc is read (played back) by a weak laser beam that registers data appearing on the disc as tiny pits or depressions of uniform length. DVDs are usually 4 3/4 inch in diameter (but a smaller 3 inch diameter disc may be produced commercially in some cases) and the disc or its packaging usually bear the term or trademark: DVD, DVD VIDEO, or VIDEO CD (in this case, the trademark is the standard one for COMPACT DISC, but with the added phrase DIGITAL VIDEO below it). This system has been in use commercially since late 1996.
Other - Use code "z" for a videorecording format for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.
05/$f Sound on medium or separate
u Unknown
A one-character alphabetic code indicates whether the sound is on the item or separate from the item (i.e., on the accompanying material).
No sound (silent) - Use code "#" to indicate that sound is not present (i.e., the item is intended to be silent).
Sound on medium - Use code "a" to indicate that sound is on the item, whether or not visual images are included.
Sound separate from medium - Use code "b" to indicate that sound is on a separate medium, designed to accompany the images.
Unknown - Use code "u" if the presence or absence of sound on the item is unknown.
06/$g Medium for sound
a Optical sound track on motion picture film
b Magnetic sound track on motion picture film
c Magnetic audio tape in cartridge
f Magnetic audio tape in cassette
g Optical and magnetic sound track on motion picture film
u Unknown
z Other
A one-character alphabetic code indicates the specific medium used to carry the sound of an item whether that sound is carried on the item itself or is in the form of accompanying material. It also indicates the type of sound playback required for the item. This character position is used in conjunction with the information coded in 007/05/$f (Sound on medium or separate) and 007/07/$g (Dimensions).
Typically, the carriers of sound are: 1) magnetic track encased in a cassette or cartridge; 2) audio or video tape which may be on reel or encased in a cassette or cartridge; and 3) sound or video disc.
No sound (silent) - Use code "#" to indicate that sound is not present (i.e., the item is intended to be silent).
Optical sound track on motion picture film - Use code "a" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on an optical track that is part of a motion picture film. It would be rare for this to occur.
Magnetic sound track on motion picture film - Use code "b" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a magnetic track that is part of a motion picture film. It would be rare for this to occur.
Magnetic audio tape in cartridge - Use code "c" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a magnetic audio tape cartridge.
Sound disc - Use code "d" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a sound disc. Sound discs include 7, 10, and 12 in. vinyl phonograph records and 4 3/4 in. compact discs.
Magnetic audio tape on reel - Use code "e" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a reel of magnetic audio tape.
Magnetic audio tape in cassette - Use code "f" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a cassette of magnetic audio tape.
Optical and magnetic sound track on motion picture film - Use code "g" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on both an optical and magnetic track on a motion picture film. It would be rare for this to occur.
Videotape - Use code "h" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is included as part of the videotape. Videotape is not ordinarily used to record only sound.
Videodisc - Use code "i" to indicate that sound to accompany a videorecording is included as part of the videodisc. Videodiscs are not ordinarily used to record only sound. A distinction must be made between videodiscs (e.g., 12 in. laser optical videodiscs that include video information) and compact discs that are used to record sound only (e.g., 4 3/4 in. audio compact discs). The technology to physically record video or audio information on digital disc systems is the same.
Unknown - Use code "u" if the medium for sound is unknown.
Other - Use code "z" for a medium for sound for which none of the other defined codes is appropriate.
07/$h Dimensions
a 8 mm.
m 1/4 in.
o 1/2 in.
p 1 in.
q 2 in.
r 3/4 in.
u Unknown
z Other
For videorecordings, only codes that exactly match the measurements of the item as given in the physical description should be used. If no code exactly matches, code "z" is used.
8 mm. - Use code "a" to indicate that the width of the videotape is 8 mm.
1/4 in. - Use code "m" to indicate that the width of the videotape is 1/4 inch.
1/2 in. - Use code "o" to indicate that the width of the videotape is 1/2 inch.
1 in. - Use code "p" to indicate that the width of the videotape is 1 inch.
2 in. - Use code "q" to indicate that the width of the videotape is 2 inches.
3/4 in. - Use code "r" to indicate that the width of the videotape is 3/4 inch.
Unknown - Use code "u" if the width are unknown.
Other - Use code "z" for dimensions for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate. Code "z" is used for videodisc dimensions since standard code values for videodiscs do not yet exist.
08/$i Configuration of playback channels
k Mixed
m Monaural
q Quadraphonic, multichannel, or surround
u Unknown
z Other
A one-character alphabetic code indicates the configuration of playback channels for the sound portion of a videorecording. This data element should be coded based on a clear indication of intended playback. These codes do not refer to the configuration of channels originally recorded unless those channels are all intended to be available on playback.
Mixed - Use code "k" to indicate that more than one configuration of playback channels for the sound portion is available on a single videorecording. An example would be a tape with both monaural and stereophonic sound tracks.
Monaural - Use code "m" to indicate that the sound portion of a videorecording is configured to be played back on one channel.
Not applicable - Use code "n" to indicate that the configuration of playback channels for the sound portion of the videorecording is not applicable because the videorecording is silent or has no sound. It is also used when describing an item with separate sound (007/05 contains b). The configuration of playback channels for the separate sound track would be described in another 007 representing the sound recording on accompanying material (e.g., sound on cassette).
Quadraphonic, multichannel, or surround - Use code "q" to indicate that the sound portion of a videorecording is configured to be played back on more than two channels. Use this code for Dolby surround sound tracks and other multichannel techniques.
Stereophonic - Use code "s" to indicate that the sound portion of a videorecording is configured to be played back on two separate channels. Use code "s" when the medium is not monaural and it is not possible to ascertain that multiple playback sources are available or intended.
Unknown - Use code "u" if the configuration of playback channels for the sound portion of a videorecording is unknown.
Other - Use code "z" for a configuration of playback channels for which none of the other defined codes are appropriate.
Related fields, etc.
Fixed Length Fields - General Information, Leader/06 Type of record, 007 Fields - General Information, 300, Appendix N
007 Physical Description Fixed Field - Videorecording (MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data)
See also:
007 Physical Description Fixed Fields
Section E. MARC 21 Format for Serials as Applied Within CONSER