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Including complex multimedia objects in an ETD is a possibility. You are encouraged to work with your committee to gain their approval and assistance. Ultimately they should check your final submission, and should be prepared and agree to do so with the multimedia part, otherwise you may think about putting your multimedia work into some other document (e.g., report, Internet website).

You should make every effort to embed all multimedia files within the pdf file. If the file size of the final pdf is potentially too large for download, see the Thesis/Dissertation Consultant for other options. Also, think about the software used in creating your original files (files used to create the pdf) and use software that generates files that are small in size whenever possible. For example, only save an object in TIFF format if absolutely neccessary.

Archiving

Be careful to consider issues of long-term archiving. Always include the highest resolution version of your object, not just a version suitable for today's devices, since technology may improve. If you can, include a version using a well-accepted international standard. Thus, for video, MPEG is encouraged. If you use proprietary software, include a viewer if that is allowed by the vendor. That way, people can view your object without purchasing the software. Realize, however, that in a few years this object may not be readily usable due to changes in versions and technology.

Note Regarding Migration To Other Archival Platforms In The Future:

1. Every possible effort will be made to migrate the required file format-currently pdf, eventually to include XML. In the worst possible situation, paper copies can be printed, bound, and stored.
2. Efforts will be made to migrate the optional multimedia file formats listed on the ETD website, 'Acceptable Multimedia Formats' page. It is not possible at this time to guarantee with high levels of certitude the successful migration of all these formats for 20-50 years in the future.

3. No effort will be made to migrate multimedia formats not on the approved list and transient items such as URLs.

Acceptable File Formats

Required File Format:

Adobe® Acrobat® Portable Document Format (.pdf)

Optional Multimedia File Formats:

Images

  • PDF (.pdf) use Type I PostScript fonts
  • JPEG (.jpg)
  • CompuServe GIF (.gif)
  • TIFF following version 6.0 or later, including CCITT G4 (.tif)
  • CGM Computer Graphics Metafile (.cgm)
  • PhotoCD
    Note: We recommend a minimum of 600 dpi resolution for images of pages with text.

Video

  • MPEG (i.e., MPEG-1, MPEG-2) (.mpg)
  • QuickTime - Apple (.mov)
  • Audio Video Interleaved - Microsoft (.avi)

Audio

  • MPEG-2
  • CD-DA
  • CD-ROM/XA (A or B or C)
  • AIF (.aif)
  • SND (.snd)
  • WAV (.wav)
  • MIDI (with timing information) (.midi)

Authoring

  • Authorware
  • Director (MMM, PICS)

Special

  • Spreadsheet - Excel (.xls)
  • AutoCAD (.dxf)

Referring

  • "handles" as URNs (URLs don't last very long)
  • ISBN, ISSN