Multimedia module

The Multimedia module stores all multimedia resources used throughout EMu. It complies with the Dublin Core Metadata Standard and the complete Dublin Core attribute set can be recorded for each multimedia resource.

Records in almost every module can include multimedia resources. There is no limit to the number of multimedia resources that can be included with a record, nor the type of those resources.

Note: The Multimedia repository can also be used to store resources that aren't necessarily related directly to a collection record (e.g. marketing collateral, minutes of meetings, planning papers).

Not only can EMu store any multimedia resource, it has the ability to show / play more than 100 image, video and audio formats.

A Multimedia record holds information such as:

Type of resource (image, audio, video, etc.)
Format of the resource (GIF, JPEG, AU, WAV, MPEG, etc.)
Source
Description
Creators and other contributors
Restrictions on the use of the resource

Derivative versions of an image can be generated automatically to satisfy different requirements. For instance, a thumbnail JPEG can be generated for browsing, an 800x600 PNG image for publication on the web, whilst maintaining the image in its original format and resolution.

EMu supports not only basic multimedia types supported (images, audio and video), but complex objects also (Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, etc.). Its multimedia support is also extensible: an external viewer can be associated with a multimedia type so that adding a new media format is as easy as installing the appropriate viewing application on your workstation.

If the multimedia resource is textual (and a suitable viewer is defined), the content of the document is fully indexed, thus enabling full text retrieval (see How to search attached documents for details).

When you access or view a multimedia resource it is downloaded and cached on your local PC. Multimedia resources can be viewed within EMu (on a module's Multimedia tab or in the Multimedia module itself) or via an external viewer: external viewers must be registered on your local PC to play the required multimedia formats.

Tip: EMu's Multimedia repository can be extended to a full blown Digital Asset Management system with the browser-based Axiell DAMS.

Typical Multimedia tabs and their purpose

Tip: See below for a description of the purpose of fields.

Tab	Description
Multimedia	This tab records: The title of the multimedia resource. A thumbnail of the resource (the image itself; or a descriptive icon indicating the resource type). The name of the person responsible for creating the multimedia resource. The (MIME) type of multimedia resource, e.g. image, video, document. The (MIME) format of the multimedia resource, e.g. JPG, MPG, MS Word document. A description. See Multimedia module commands for details about commands available on the Multimedia tab of the Ribbon, and the Multimedia module Tool bar.
Details	Holds details about the multimedia, including: Subject matter Publisher Contributors Source Coverage Rights
Characteristics	This tab records characteristics of the current multimedia, including: The name of the repository where the resource is stored, as well as an indication of the expected audience. Image, video or audio attributes. The following fields are automatically populated with properties as the resource is added to the module: Width Height MD5 An MD5 checksum is a 32-character hexadecimal number that is computed on a file. If two files have the same MD5 checksum value, then there is a high probability that the two files are the same. Checksum File Size Image Resolution Colour Depth
Documents	The Documents tab displays when any other resource than an image is added to the Multimedia module (audio, video, document, etc.). It records: The file name of the resource. The (MIME) type and format of the resource. Its file size. Media can be added, deleted, modified, viewed and saved to the Documents table. See also: Image and Document resolution tables Multimedia module commands for details about buttons on this tab.
Resolutions	The Resolutions tab displays when an image is added to the Multimedia module. Details include: The file name of the resource Image Type (Monochrome, greyscale, True Colour or Palette) Colour Space (RGB or CMYK) Colour Depth (number of bits required to reflect accurately all colours) File size Compression Quality Height and width of the image in pixels Number of Planes in an image MD5 An MD5 checksum is a 32-character hexadecimal number that is computed on a file. If two files have the same MD5 checksum value, then there is a high probability that the two files are the same. Checksum Media can be added, deleted, modified, viewed and saved to the Resolutions table. See also: Image and Document resolution tables Multimedia module commands for details about buttons on this tab.
Supplementary	Supplementary media provides a mechanism for storing associated media resources along with a master resource in the same Multimedia record. The bottom half of the tab consists of a Supplementary table that lists all supplementary media. The set of fields above the table display data about the media currently selected in the Supplementary table. Only the Usage, Notes, Width and Height fields may be altered. All other fields are calculated by EMu automatically and cannot be modified. Note: Identifier must be unique in the Supplementary table for the current record. Media can be added, deleted, modified, viewed and saved to the Supplementary table. See also: Working with supplementary media Multimedia module commands for details about buttons on this tab.
EXIF	When an image is added to the Multimedia module EXIF metadata is extracted from the source file and added to this tab (EXIF supports jpeg and tiff formats). This tab is currently read-only; data on this tab can be used in a search and included in a report. See Supported formats and metadata for more details.
IPTC	When an image is added to the Multimedia module IPTC metadata is extracted from the source file and added to this tab (IPTC supports jpeg, tiff, pict, ps and psd formats). This tab is currently read-only; data on this tab can be used in a search and included in a report. See Supported formats and metadata for more details.
XMP	When an image is added to the Multimedia module XMP metadata is extracted from the source file and added to this tab (XMP supports jpeg and tiff image formats). This tab is currently read-only; data on this tab can be used in a search and included in a report. See Supported formats and metadata for more details.
Notes	See Notes tab for details.
Security	See Security tab for details.
Audit	See Audit tab for details.
Admin	See Admin tab for details.

Multimedia module fields

Field Name	Description
Identifier	The file name given to the media on the EMu server. When adding new media the name of the file being imported is used as the default identifier. An identifier may consist of any characters, including spaces, except for: `\ / : * ? " < > \|`
Width (pixels)	If the media is an image, the width in pixels is calculated automatically and stored. For other types of media that have a width in pixels (e.g. video) the value may be entered manually.
Height (pixels)	If the media is an image, the height in pixels is calculated automatically and stored. For other types of media that have a height in pixels (e.g. video) the value may be entered manually.
MIME Type	The type of the media. EMu calculates the MIME Type automatically and adds the value to this field. The MIME Type is a high level term describing the overall category into which the media belongs. Example values are: image, video, audio, application, etc. MIME Types available in EMu are defined by RFC 2046.
MIME Format	The format used to store the media. The value is used to determine how the media should be decoded for viewing, playing, etc. For each MIME Type there is a wide range of available formats. As with the MIME Type, EMu calculates the MIME Format automatically and adds the value to this field.
MD5 Checksum	When a media file is ingested by EMu an MD5 Checksum is automatically computed on the file, producing a 32 character hexadecimal number similar to: `e1418375286aaaa00e139d41d81f0b08`. The checksum functions as a compact digital fingerprint of a file and can be used to ensure the uniqueness of files in the multimedia repository. As virtually any change to a file causes the checksum to change, it can be used to verify the integrity of files: any difference between the checksum generated at ingest with the current checksum indicates a change in the file. MD5 checksum validation at each step in the automated process, so that network errors and any other unintended file corruptions can be automatically resolved.
File Size (bytes)	The size of the file in bytes. EMu calculates the size of the media automatically and adds the value to this field. The value may be used to determine download times, storage requirements, etc.
Usage	A list of values outlining what the media may be used for. The usage field allows media to be searched for based on its purpose. A Lookup List is provided to allow some vocabulary control over the available values.
Notes	An area where notes about the media may be stored. The notes may describe what the media contains, or it may be information that is displayed along with the media when displayed on a website (e.g. copyright information, a credit line, a textual label).