CONTENT MEDIA, AND FORMAT
492 Cafe produces audio and video content that can be delivered in various formats. For example, content, such as a radio segment, might be delivered in the MP3 format through the medium of the internet, to a radio station. It's them broadcast in the medium of radio, perhaps in the FM (frequency modulated) format. Similar concepts apply to video.
MEDIA
Tapes, color negative film, and vinyl records, are examples of media. Cassettes, 35 mm, and 45's, are examples of media formats. Today we use various digital formats to fulfill these functions. 492 Cafe works primarily in these audio formats...
DIGITAL FILE FORMATS
These files can be transmitted through the web, or burned onto discs.
NON-COMPRESSED FILE FORMATS
Non-compressed formats are used for production and editing. Compressed formats, (primarily MP3) are output for distribution, including web posting and podcasting.
AIFF: is an uncompressed format favored by Macintosh users.
WAV: (Windows Audio File) is preferred for Win boxes.
COMPRESSED FILE FORMATS
MP3: An efficient file format that's compressed as desired, like a JPEG image. So your MP3 can sound as good as you want, or as bad as you need...maybe to squeeze it through a slow internet connection.
DIGITAL DISCS AND FORMATS
Data, including mp3's are burned onto data discs. Audio can be burned to an Audio CD. Any sound file under 80 minutes can be made into an Audio CD.