Medieinstanser

Medieinstanser are a concept used in information management to describe concrete embodiments of a media asset within a system. A medieinstans is a specific copy or rendition of a media item that can be accessed, used, distributed, or archived. In practice, medieinstanser are the units users interact with, such as a streaming file, a downloadable video, a physical CD, or a scanned image in a digital archive.

A medieinstans is distinguished from the abstract media object and its expressions by its metadata and technical attributes. Typical attributes include format (for example MP4, WAV, JPEG), size or duration, resolution, bitrate, language, rights status, access restrictions, provenance, and location. It may also contain versioning information, licenses, embargo periods, and preservation or integrity data such as checksums. Metadata about a medieinstans supports management tasks like cataloging, rights administration, and access control.

In practice, handling medieinstanser involves cataloging, rights management, version control, preservation planning, and user access controls. Systems that support medieinstanser include digital asset management systems, content management systems, institutional repositories, and media libraries. The notion helps separate the abstract item (the work) from the concrete instantiations (the copies or files), enabling precise management of copies, formats, rights, and access.

Examples include a licensed streaming rendition of a film, a high-resolution archival image in TIFF, or a localized MP3 file provided to a user. Terminology and exact scope of medieinstanser can vary by standards or discipline; some frameworks align medieinstanser with item records, others with manifestations or digital objects.