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Media Types, Groups and Similarities

Media Types

All

An "all" media type may be rendered using any media-type device.

Aural

An aural media type rendering is targeted for speech and sound synthesizers.

Braille

A braille media type rendering is targeted for Braille touch-feedback devices.

Embossed

An embossed media type rendering is targeted for Braille paged printing devices.

Handheld

A handheld media type rendering is targeted for small or handheld devices (eg: devices with small screens, limited bandwidth or display capabilities - perhaps monochrome screens.)

Print

A print media type rendering is targeted for page-by-page use, typically printed on paper.

Projection

A projection media type rendering is targeted for projection (eg: screen projections) using transparent media (eg: slides.)

Screen

A screen media type rendering is targeted for continuous (non-paged) color computer screens.

TTY

A TTY media type rendering is targeted for media that uses a fixed-pitch character grid (eg: terminals and teletypes.)

TV

A TV media type rendering is targeted for television-like devices (eg: color, basic sound capabilities, limited resolution and scrollability.)

For more information see: Recognized media types.

Media Groups

Interface (continuous/paged)

This group describes the way a user experiences the entirety of a document with a given Media type. Options include:

Sensory Experience (visual/aural/tactile )

This group describes the human senses used to experience a document with a given Media type. Options include:

Layout (grid/bitmap)

This describes the method used by a media type to render character content. Options include:

Interactivity (interactive/static )

This group describes the level of interaction possible using a specific media type. Options include:

For more information see: Media groups.

Media Type Similarities by Multiple Media Groups

Print and Projection

  Interface Sensory Experience Layout Interactivity
print paged visual bitmap static
projection paged visual bitmap static

Print and Projection are very similar in interface, sensory experience, layout, and interactivity.

Print, Projection and Screen

  Sensory Experience Layout
print visual bitmap
projection visual bitmap
screen visual bitmap

Print, Projection and Screen are similar in sensory experience, layout, and in part interactivity.

Aural and TV

  Interface Sensory Experience Interactivity
aural continuous aural both
(interactive and static)
tv continuous component
(both continuous and static)
aural component
(both aural and visual)
both
(interactive and static)

Aural and TV are similar by interactivity and also in part by interface and sensory experience.

Handheld and TV

  Interface Sensory Experience Interactivity
handheld both
(continuous and paged)
visual both
(interactive and static)
tv both
(continuous and paged)
visual, aural
(has an visual component)
both
(interactive and static)

Handheld and TV are similar in interface and interactivity. They are somewhat similar in sensory experience and layout also.

Braille and Emboss

  Sensory Experience Layout Interactivity
braille tactile grid both
(interactive and static)
emboss tactile grid both
(interactive and static)

Braille and Emboss are similar in sensory experience, layout, and interactivity.

Handheld, Screen and TV

  Sensory Experience Layout Interactivity
handheld visual bitmap component (both bitmap and grid) both
(interactive and static)
screen visual bitmap both
(interactive and static)
tv visual, aural bitmap both
(interactive and static)

Handheld, Screen and TV are are similar in sensory, layout, and interactivity.

Handheld, Screen, and TTY

  Sensory Experience Interactivity
handheld visual both
(interactive and static)
screen visual both
(interactive and static)
tty visual both
(interactive and static)

Handheld, Screen and TTY are similar in sensory experience and interacivity.

Aural, Braille, Screen, TTY

  Interface Interactivity
aural continuous both
(interactive and static)
braille continuous both
(interactive and static)
screen continuous both
(interactive and static)
tty continuous both
(interactive and static)

Aural, Braille, Screen, and TTY are are similar in interface and interactivity.

Media Type Similarities by Single Media Group:

Media Types Similar in the Interface Media Group

  Interface
continuous/paged
handheld both
tv both
braille continuous
screen continuous
tty continuous
aural continuous
print paged
emboss paged
projection paged

Media Types Similar in the Sensory Experience Media Group

  Sensory Experience
visual/aural/tactile
aural aural
tv aural, (visual)
emboss tactile
braille tactile
print visual
projection visual
screen visual
tty visual
handheld visual
tv visual, (aural )

Media Types Similar in the Layout Media Group

  Layout
grid/bitmap
projection bitmap
print bitmap
screen bitmap
tv bitmap
handheld bitmap (and grid) both
braille grid
handheld grid (and bitmap) both
tty grid
emboss grid
aural N/A

Media Types Similar in the Interactivity Media Group

  Interactivity
interactive/static
braille both
emboss both
handheld both
tty both
screen both
tv both
aural both
print static
projection static
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