538  System Details Note (R)  (Variable Data Field)

Field definition and scope:

Field 538 contains technical information about an item, such as the presence or absence of certain kinds of codes; or the physical characteristics of a computer file, such as recording densities, parity, blocking factors, mode of access, software programming language, computer requirements, peripheral requirements, trade name or recording systems, number of lines of resolution, and modulation frequency.  Links to technical details relating to digital resources may also be recorded.

For software, computer requirements may include computer manufacturer and model, operating system, or memory requirements, and peripheral requirements may include number of tape drives, number of disk or drum units, number of terminals, or other peripheral devices, support software, or related equipment.

For sound and videorecordings, information about the trade name or recording system(s) (e.g., VHS), modulation frequency and number of lines of resolution may be included.

Field 538 is repeatable.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

For indicator and subfield code definitions and examples, and designator repeatability, see table below:

Input conventions:

Punctuation

Content designator history:

Subfield $5 - Institution to which field applies  [new, 2007]

See also:

3XX, 5XX, 84X  Note Fields

Variable Data Fields