Introduction

This is a glossary of terms that you may encounter when working with Ittybit.

Ittybit-specific terms

• Media Item: A Media Item (or Media Container) is a parent object that holds all the files related to a single Media file, including the original source file, generated variants, intelligence objects, and other associated files. Uploading a file to Ittybit creates a Media Container.

• Source: A Source is a media file such as a video, audio file, or image. It serves as the basis for generating variants and intelligence objects. This may be the original file uploaded by the user or a derivative file created from the original file through the Intelligence Tasks.

• Variant: A Variant is a modified version of the original Source file, created through Tasks like transforming, resizing, or reformatting. Variants are generated to provide different quality levels, resolutions, or formats for a Media Item.

• Intelligence Object: An Intelligence Object is a file generated by Intelligence Tasks. This could be speech, detected object an NSFW, etc.

• Task: A Task is an automated process that performs specific actions on a Media Item, such as transforming, or extracting data. Tasks are used to generate variants, intelligence objects, and other files associated with a Media Item.

• Task Queue: A Task Queue is a list of tasks waiting to be processed. Tasks are added to the queue when triggered by events like file uploads or user actions, and they are executed sequentially to process Media Items.

• Event: An Event is a trigger that initiates a Task or Task Queue, such as a file upload, user action, or system event. Events are used to automate processes and manage workflows in Ittybit.

• Webhook: A Webhook is a mechanism for sending real-time notifications from one application to another. Ittybit uses webhooks to notify external systems about events like file uploads, task completions, or errors, enabling integration with third-party services.

• Automation: An Automation is a sequence of Tasks that can be run when specific conditions are met. Automations are used to automate repetitive tasks, manage large volumes of media, and streamline workflows in Ittybit.

File formats

Video Formats

• MP4: A widely used digital multimedia container format that can store video, audio, subtitles, and still images, making it versatile for various types of media content.

• WebM: An open, royalty-free container format designed primarily for web use, supporting both video and audio streaming with a focus on efficient compression.¹

• AV1: An open, royalty-free video coding format developed by the Alliance for Open Media, designed to provide high-quality video streaming with improved compression efficiency compared to older codecs like H.265 and VP9. ²

• CMAF: The Common Media Application Format is a standardized container format that simplifies the delivery of HTTP-based streaming media, supporting both audio and video content for adaptive streaming scenarios. ³

Audio Formats

• MP3: MP3, or MPEG-1 Audio Layer III, is a popular audio compression format that significantly reduces file sizes while maintaining sound quality. Developed by the Fraunhofer Society, it employs lossy compression techniques that discard less audible sound data, allowing for efficient streaming and storage of music files.

• WAV: WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an uncompressed audio file format developed by Microsoft and IBM, primarily used for storing high-quality audio on Windows systems. It retains all original audio data, resulting in larger file sizes compared to compressed formats like MP3, making it ideal for professional audio applications.

• OGG: OGG is a free, open-source container format that can hold various types of multimedia, including audio and video. The most common use of OGG is with the Ogg Vorbis codec for audio compression, which provides high-quality sound at lower bit rates compared to MP3, making it suitable for streaming and digital distribution.⁴

Image Formats

• JPEG: (or JPG) is a widely used image format that employs lossy compression to reduce file sizes while maintaining acceptable image quality. Developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group, it is particularly popular for digital photography and online images due to its balance between compression and visual fidelity.

• PNG: PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless image format that supports transparency and a wide range of colors. It is ideal for images requiring high quality, such as graphics and logos, as it retains all original image data without degradation, making it suitable for web use.

• WebP: WebP is an image format developed by Google that provides both lossy and lossless compression, aiming to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality. It supports transparency and animation, making it versatile for web applications while offering better compression rates compared to traditional formats like JPG and PNG.

• AVIF: AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a modern image format based on the AV1 video codec, offering superior compression efficiency and high-quality images. It supports features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) and transparency, making it an excellent choice for web use where reduced file sizes are essential without compromising visual quality.

Other media file formats

• VTT (Text format for subtitles/captions) - A VTT file, or Web Video Text Track file, is a text-based format used for displaying timed text tracks, such as subtitles and captions, in conjunction with video content. It allows for enhanced accessibility by providing synchronized text overlays that help viewers understand spoken dialogue and sound effects.