Sustainability of Digital Formats: Planning for Library of Congress Collections

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Broadcast WAVE File Format, Version 2, with LPCM Audio

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Format Description Properties Explanation of format description terms

Identification and description Explanation of format description terms

Full name Broadcast WAVE file, version 2, with LPCM encoded audio.
Description Broadcast WAVE file, version 2, with LPCM encoded audio.
Production phase Used for content in initial, middle, and final states.
Relationship to other formats
    Subtype of WAVE_BWF_2, Broadcast WAVE Audio File Format, Version 2
    Contains LPCM, Linear PCM
    Used by IMF_Package, Interoperable Master Format (IMF). IMF does not specify a version of Broadcast WAVE. Identified in Warner Brothers IMF specification as of January 2024.

Local use Explanation of format description terms

LC experience or existing holdings The Library has many WAVE files in its digital collections - over 150 TB in 2023 - across numerous collections.
LC preference The Library of Congress Recommended Formats Statement (RFS) lists Broadcast WAVE as a Preferred format for Audio - Media-independent (digital). The RFS does not specify a version of Broadcast WAVE.

Sustainability factors Explanation of format description terms

Disclosure See WAVE_BWF_2 and LPCM.
    Documentation See WAVE_BWF_2 and LPCM.
Adoption See WAVE_BWF_2 and LPCM.
    Licensing and patents See WAVE_BWF_2 and LPCM.
Transparency See WAVE_BWF_2 and LPCM.
Self-documentation See WAVE_BWF_2 and LPCM.
External dependencies See WAVE_BWF_2 and LPCM.
Technical protection considerations  

Quality and functionality factors Explanation of format description terms

Sound
Normal rendering Supported
Fidelity (high audio resolution) See LPCM.
Multiple channels See WAVE_BWF_2.
Support for user-defined sounds, samples, and patches See WAVE_BWF_2.
Functionality beyond normal rendering Not applicable.

File type signifiers and format identifiers Explanation of format description terms

Tag Value Note
Filename extension wav
 
Internet Media Type See related format.  See WAVE.
Magic numbers See related format.  See WAVE.

Notes Explanation of format description terms

General  
History  

Format specifications Explanation of format description terms


Useful references

URLs


Last Updated: 01/02/2024