Study Notes on Audio and Video Information & Media

Page 1 Notes on Audio Information & Media

INTRODUCTION

  • The focus of this lesson is on the following key areas:

    • Definition of audio information

    • Formats and types of audio

    • Power of audio information

    • Difference between hearing and listening

    • Selection criteria for audio

    • Design principles and elements of audio.

INTERACTION

  • Definition of Audio:

    • Audio is defined as sound that can be heard through recordings or broadcasts.

    • Examples of Audio include:

    • Sound Effects

    • Music

    • Songs

    • Newscasts

    • Public service announcements

    • Speeches.

CATEGORIES OF AUDIO

  1. LOSSLESS Audio Formats:

    • Formats that maintain original audio quality.

    • Examples:

      • WAV

      • AIFF

      • FLAC

      • APE

      • Apple Lossless.

  2. LOSSY Audio Formats:

    • Formats that compress files to save space while maintaining audio quality.

    • Examples:

      • MP3

      • AAC

      • WMA

      • Ogg Vorbis.

AUDIO INFORMATION

  • Audio information is defined as audio that conveys meaningful content.

  • Types include:

    1. MUSIC:

    • Defined as songs or rhythms primarily intended for entertainment.

    1. RADIO NEWSCAST:

    • Defined as news clips or articles delivered by radio journalists.

    1. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS (PSAs):

    • Messages distributed by radio free of charge aimed at raising awareness of social issues.

    1. RADIO COMMERCIALS:

    • Paid advertisements intended to promote services or products.

    1. RADIO DRAMAS:

    • Audio programs similar to soap operas, produced for radio.

    1. PODCASTS:

    • Digital audio content that can be streamed or downloaded via the internet.

POWER OF AUDIO

  • Audio information possesses several key powers:

    1. Accessibility:

    • Audio is accessible to a wide audience, including those with visual impairments.

    1. Retention of Information:

    • Auditory formats can enhance the capacity to retain and recall information.

    1. Emotional Impact:

    • Audio can evoke feelings, moods, and various states of mind in listeners.

      • Notably, approximately 30% of the world’s population are classified as auditory learners, as per BBC, indicating a preference for learning through listening.

HEARING VS. LISTENING

  • HEARING:

    • The act of perceiving sound through the ear involuntarily.

  • LISTENING:

    • An active process that requires focused attention on sounds.

PROCESS OF LISTENING

  1. HEARING:

    • Stage where sound waves enter the eardrums and are processed by the brain.

  2. ATTENDING:

    • This stage involves the brain selecting which sounds to focus on and process.

  3. UNDERSTANDING:

    • The brain interprets the sounds that were listened to, making sense of them.

  4. REMEMBERING:

    • The most critical stage where acquired sound information is stored in memory for later use.

INTEGRATION

LESSON CLOSURE

  • Audio information and media are powerful tools for effectively communicating to an audience.

  • Although communication through audio can be one-directional, it enhances listener attention and improves listening skills.

  • Audio also contributes to the believability of the presented information.

  • However, due to advances in technology and the rise of fake news, it is essential to critically evaluate the reliability and validity of audio information.

Page 2 Notes on Video Information and Media

INTRODUCTION

  • Video has significantly increased in popularity in recent years according to Clarine (2016).

  • Videos are ubiquitous across various platforms:

    • Television

    • Social Media

    • Text Messages

    • Billboards

    • Online Advertisements

    • Restaurant Menus.

  • Video production today extends beyond traditional movie industries, showing versatility across different media types.

  • The speed and efficacy of video in conveying messages surpass other mediums like text and visual media targeted at the same audience.

INTERACTION

  • Definition of Video:

    • A video is a sequence of moving images often accompanied by audio.

    • Historical context: the earliest forms of video originated from sequential photography as early as 1860.

    • Edward Muybridge conducted the initial studies of successive photography in 1887.

VIDEO INFORMATION

  1. MOVIE:

    • Commonly referred to as "motion pictures," movies are a literary form of video content displayed in theaters or on television.

    • Examples include:

      • Commercial Movies

      • Independent Films

      • Documentaries.