Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

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Ogg Vorbis Audio Format

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name Ogg Vorbis Audio Format
Description Bitstream encoding and file format designed for efficient distribution of sound files over moderate bandwidth connections; Vorbis encoding may be used at higher data rates for better fidelity.
Production phase Generally used for final-state, end-user delivery.
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of Ogg, Ogg File Format
    Contains Vorbis_I, Vorbis Audio Codec, Version I

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings The Library of Congress has a small amount of Ogg Vorbis files in its collections.
LC preference See the Library of Congress Recommended Formats Statement for format preferences for Audio Works.

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure Fully documented. Developed by xiph as an open source and patent-free project.
    Documentation Menu of relevant Xiph documents. See also Ogg and Vorbis_I.
Adoption Applications include streaming broadcasts ("oggcasts") and computer games. Recorded books in this format are offered by Telltale Weekly. Additional note: In August 2007, one specialist in the field reported that the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group, promoters of improved HTML implementations, has endorsed the use of xiph specifications, especially Vorbis and Theora, for the video element. According to this source, "This means that user agents will have the Ogg libraries native, and that external codecs or plugins won't be required for end user playback. I'm hoping the audio element will also have Ogg support by default." Comments welcome.
    Licensing and patents None.
Transparency See Vorbis_I
Self-documentation See Ogg and Vorbis_I.
External dependencies Surround sound requires appropriate amplifier and loudspeakers or headphone.
Technical protection considerations None known to the compilers of this document.

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Sound
Normal rendering Good support.
Fidelity (high audio resolution) See Vorbis_I.
Multiple channels See Vorbis_I.
Support for user-defined sounds, samples, and patches See Vorbis_I.
Functionality beyond normal rendering See Vorbis_I and Ogg.

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension ogg
From The File Extension Source.
Internet Media Type application/ogg
From http://www.vorbis.com/faq/.
Internet Media Type audio/x-ogg
application/x-ogg
From The File Extension Source.
Internet Media Type audio/vorbis
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorbis.
Magic numbers See related format.  See Ogg.

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 06/13/2023