Character position definition and scope:

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 (Sound on medium or separate) and 007/07 (Dimensions).

Typically, the carriers of sound are:

magnetic track encased in a cassette or cartridge

audio or video tape which may be on a reel or encased in a cassette or cartridge

sound or video disc

A fill character ( | ) is used when no attempt has been made to code this position.

Record requirements for National-level and Minimal-level records:  Optional.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

Code:

Description:

#

No sound (silent)  Sound is not present, i.e., the item is intended to be silent.

a

Optical sound track on motion picture film

b

Magnetic sound track on motion picture film

c

Magnetic audio tape in cartridge  Sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a magnetic audio tape cartridge.

d

Sound disc

e

Magnetic audio tape on reel  Sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a reel of magnetic audio tape.

f

Magnetic audio tape in cassette  Sound to accompany a videorecording is carried on a cassette of magnetic audio tape.

g

Optical and magnetic sound track on motion picture film

h

Videotape

i

Videodisc

u

Unknown  Medium for sound is not known or lacking.

z

Other  Medium for sound for which none of the other defined codes is appropriate.

|

No attempt to code

Content designator history:

Character position 04 (Medium for sound) was moved to position 06 when field 007 was restructured in 1981.

g - Other medium for sound  [obsolete, 1980]:  Prior to 1981, Other medium for sound was identified by code g.  The current code g was defined in 1985.

Related MARC fields or documents:

007/05 Videorecording:  Sound on medium or separate

007/07 Videorecording:  Dimensions

To return, select:

007:  Videorecording

007  Physical Description Fixed Field