Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

Introduction | Sustainability Factors | Content Categories | Format Descriptions | Contact
Format Description Categories >> Browse Alphabetical List

RealAudio, Multichannel Codec

>> Back
Table of Contents
Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name RealAudio, Multichannel Codec
Description Audio compression codec for multichannel sound. RealMedia promotional literature states "targeted toward . . . home theater and multichannel entertainment systems."
Production phase Generally a final-state (end-user delivery) format.
Relationship to other formats
    Used by RealAudio_10, RealAudio, Version 10

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings See RealAudio_10
LC preference See RealAudio_10

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure See RealAudio_10
    Documentation See RealAudio_10
Adoption See RealAudio_10
    Licensing and patents See RealAudio_10
Transparency See RealAudio_10
Self-documentation See RealAudio_10
External dependencies See RealAudio_10
Technical protection considerations See RealAudio_10

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Sound
Normal rendering Good support
Fidelity (high audio resolution) Moderate, depending upon the degree of compression.
Multiple channels For 5.1 channel audio; RealAudio literature states "left, right, left-surround, right-surround, front center, and low frequency woofer." Presumably the multichannel codec can also be used for multiple channel sound not intended to represent aural space.

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension Not applicable. 

See RealAudio_10

Internet Media Type Not applicable. 

See RealAudio_10

Magic numbers Not applicable. 

See RealAudio_10

Pronom PUID See note.  PRONOM has no corresponding entry as of July 2022.
Wikidata Title ID See related format.  See RealAudio Version 10

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 07/01/2022