Digitized

Digitized is an adjective describing information or media converted from an analog or non-digital form into a digital representation. The process, digitization, typically uses scanners, cameras, or sensors to capture content and encode it as binary data, often with metadata. For text, optical character recognition may be applied to convert images of pages into searchable, editable text.

Digitized materials can include images, audio, video, and documents. Common formats are TIFF, JPEG, or PNG for images; WAV or MP3 for audio; MP4 or AVI for video; and PDF/A for documents. Metadata and standardized schemas support interoperability and long-term access.

Applications span libraries, archives, museums, education, science, and government. Benefits include improved accessibility, preservation against physical decay, easier duplication and distribution, and enhanced search and analysis. Challenges include ensuring adequate resolution and color fidelity, selecting durable formats, managing storage, and addressing copyright, privacy, and security concerns. Format obsolescence and data degradation also pose risks.

Digitized content is distinct from born-digital material, which originates directly in digital form. It supports digital preservation strategies that aim to maintain access to cultural, scientific, and administrative information over time.