Audiovisual Formats A guide to identification Last updated June 2018
[email protected] IDENTIFICATION IDENTIFICATION AUDIO – MAGNETIC AUDIO – MAGNETIC Sound recordings on analog magnetic tape: may be tape Microcassette cassettes or reels. • Introduced in 1969 • Aka mirco-cassette • Used primarily for 1/4 inch audio tape (reel-to- dictation and amateur reel) recordings • Introduced widely in • Polyester substrate 1948, though earlier prototypes developed as early as 1928 Minicassette • Used for professionals and amateur • Introduced in 1969 recordings • Aka mini-cassette • Either polyester or • Used primarily for acetate substrate dictation and amateur recordings • Polyester substrate 1/8 inch audiocassette • Introduced in 1962 • aka Compact Cassette or Standard Audio Cassette • Used for professionals and amateur recordings • Likely polyester or acetate substrate IDENTIFICATION IDENTIFICATION AUDIO – MAGNETIC AUDIO – GROOVED MEDIA WIRE CYLINDER • Introduced in 1939 • Introduced in 1877, • Small spool of fine manufactured metal wire through the later • Spools about 2 ½” 1920s diameter, 5/8” thick • Used for professional • Used primarily for and amateur dictation and amateur recordings recordings • Foil, wax and • Superseded by magnetic tape recording in 1950s celluloid substrates • Black is most common color; also brown, blue and beige • Name of the recording often inscribed on the DIGITAL beveled edge of the cylinder Sony Digital Audiotape DISCS (DAT) • Introduced in • Introduced in 1987 1895 • Most common digital • AKA magnetic audio grammaphone, format phonodisc records • Similar in shape to • Used primarily for audiocassette, but professional, but thicker amateur and • Used for professionals and amateur recordings dictation recordings exist • Likely polyester substrate • The dominant form of domestic audio in the 20th century • Various coatings and substrates.