Content format

A content format is an encoded format for converting a specific type of data to displayable information. Content formats are used in recording and transmission to prepare data for observation or interpretation.^[1][2] This includes both analog and digitized content. Content formats may be recorded and read by either natural or manufactured tools and mechanisms.

Graphical representations of electrical data: analog audio content format (red), 4-bit digital pulse code modulated content format (blue).

In addition to converting data to information, a content format may include the encryption and/or scrambling of that information.^[3] Multiple content formats may be contained within a single section of a storage medium (e.g. track, disk sector, computer file, document, page, column) or transmitted via a single channel (e.g. wire, carrier wave) of a transmission medium. With multimedia, multiple tracks containing multiple content formats are presented simultaneously. Content formats may either be recorded in secondary signal processing methods such as a software container format (e.g. digital audio, digital video) or recorded in the primary format (e.g. spectrogram, pictogram).

Observable data is often known as raw data, or raw content.^[4] A primary raw content format may be directly observable (e.g. image, sound, motion, smell, sensation) or physical data which only requires hardware to display it, such as a phonographic needle and diaphragm or a projector lamp and magnifying glass.

There has been a countless number of content formats throughout history. The following are examples of some common content formats and content format categories (covering: sensory experience, model, and language used for encoding information):

Document file format Audio data encoding[5] Audio coding format Analog audio data Stereophonic sound formats Digital audio data Synthesizer sequences Visual data encoding Hand rendering materials Film speed formats Pixel coordinates data Color space data Vector graphic coordinates/dimensions Texture mapping formats 3D display formats Holographic formats Display resolution formatting Text Formats/ Font Size/ Line spacing Motion graphics encoding Video coding format Frame rate data Video data[6] Computer animation formats Instruction encoding Musical notation Computer language Traffic signals

Natural languages formats Writing systems Phonetic Sign languages Communication signaling formats Code formats Expert language formats Graphic organizer Statistical model Table of elements DNA sequence Human anatomy Biometric data Chemical formulas Aroma compound Drug chart Electromagnetic spectrum Time standard Numerical weather prediction Capital asset pricing model National income and output Celestial coordinate system Military mapping Geographic information system Interstate Highway System

See also

• Communication
• Representation (arts)
• Content carrier signals
• Content multiplexing format
• Signal transmission
• Wireless content transmission
• Data storage device
• Recording format
• Data compression
• Analog television: NTSC, PAL and SECAM

References

1. Bob Boiko, Content Management Bible, Nov 2004 pp:79, 240, 830
2. Ann Rockley, Managing Enterprise Content: A Unified Content Strategy, Oct 2002 pp:269, 320, 516
3. Jessica Keyes, Technology Trendlines, Jul 1995 pp:201
4. Oge Marques and Borko Furht, Content-Based Image and Video Retrieval, April 2002 pp:15
5. David Austerberry, The Technology of Video and Audio Streaming, Second Edition, Sep 2004 pp: 328
6. M. Ghanbari, Standard Codecs: Image Compression to Advanced Video Coding, Jun 2003 pp:364