The Language of New Media: Transcoding

In 'The Language of New Media', Manovich dicusses a principle of transcoding as, "the most substantial consequence of media's compterization." (Manovich, 2002: 63). Computerization is the process that converts media into computer data. This is highly significant in today's culture.

If we look at the world as having two layers, a computer layer and a cultural layer, it would be logical to say that each layer could affect the other (Manovich, 2002). For example, take our use of mobile phones. Before the invention of the now common mobile phone, people in general had to either remember or write down phone numbers in a personal phone book. Now with our mobile phones having phone books within them we culturally do not need to remember phone numbers.

There are many ways in which the computer layer affects the cultural layer and "as hardware and software keep evolving", (Manovich, 2002: 64) so do our cultural uses of them. Take our encyclopedias, homes used to have, and some still do, a collection of print encylopedias that could be used for referencing various topics. As computers became more efficient, encyclopedic software was created, like 'Encarta', this was a breakthrough as it meant that you could search the entire content for key words which made referencing much easier. Although currently we do not need such software as the internet has all of our information on sites such as Wikipedia, IMDB and even Google. Culturally it is normal to look up anything that we are quizzical about on these websites without a second thought.

A simple database used to just store and organise data, but now we can look at it being transcoded into video games, like 'Football Manager'. This unintentionally caused many effects on people, in addiction and behavioural patterns. Comedian Jason Manford was rude to a Manchester City player because he turned up late for training in his game (Nakrani, 2013). Fans of the game have applied for Football Manager jobs in real life, using the game as a work reference. One was successful (Burke, 2012). This is a extreme example of how transcoding affects our cultural behaviour, although an important one. Both the computer layer and cultural layer walk hand in hand and as one wants to change, so shall the other.




Bibliography

Nakrani, S. (2013) Football Manager craze has matured into a full-grown national obsession, Guardian, 21 August [Online]. Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/21/football-manager-craze-lionel-messi (Accessed: 16 October 2013)

Manovich, L. (2002) The Language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass: London MIT Press)

Burke, E. (2012) 21-year-old with 10 years' Football Manager experience becomes manager at FC Baku, SiliconRepublic, 22 November [Online]. Availbale at: http://siliconrepublic.com/digital-life/item/30360-21-year-old-with-10-years (Accessed: 16 October 2013)

New Defination of New Media with Five Elments

When Monovich started the own article; He wants to know limits of new media,  Is all new product  new media ?  How can we define new media ?

The popular definition of new media identifies it with the use of a computer for distribution and exhibition, rather than with production. (Manovich, 2002 pg.43) Computer systems involve all part of life when we speak media especially new media this isn't eveluate with being computerization. Manovich said own essay photography, book, music etc. can be digital and it can be stored in cd or memory and view on computer screen but that isn't new media only "metamorfic" old media.

 

Manovich demonstrade own article that most important thing for new media is digital code and start five element such as numerical representation, modularity, automation, variability and transcoding.

Firstly, symbol and characters is composing numerical representation mathematical function an algorithmic manipulation provide that media becomes more programmable (Manovich, 2002). Forexample X, Y and 0, 1, 2 terms and formula are internatinonal and when some body send to other person, can understand and put into practice.

 Secondly, Manovich explain modularity "called fractal structure". Forexample, one thing can be define or work different type like as movie video. BS.player, windows media player, real player and can play same video with different style.

 Thirdly, Manovich say automation fix mistakes and supply to work with correct system. Forinstance, word document can find and adjust wrong things in text.

 Fourtly, Variability is described media isn't fixed once and for all but can exist different versions. Forexample, one thing can be differnet format and can be launch various type of media.

 Finally, Transcoding is translate something to other form. Forexample, a word format of text can be PDF format.

Bibliography
Manovich, L (2002) What is New Media of Media from the language of New Media (Cambridge, Mass: London MIT Press)

The Language Of New Media : Transcoding.

 

Transcoding, "The most substantial consequence of media's computerization" (Manovich, 2002 : 63) described Manovich. Though, how does transcoding help us in defining New Media and what is Transcoding?

 

In The Language Of New Media by Manovich, he talks about what New media is by highlighting five different principles of new media. For me, it seemed that the most important principle was Transcoding.

Manovich explains in 'new media lingo', to "transcode something is to translate it into another format" (Manovich, 2002 : 64), such as the transformation from a text file into sound.

1/ This image demonstrates the process of transcoding.

Once an item or an object has been transcoded, it then becomes a different shape or object digitally even though it may appear the same visually to the user. In his book The language of New Media, Manovich suggests to divide/think about New Media in to two different layers, the 'culture layer' and the 'computer layer' (Manovich, 2002 : 63)

Manovich states:

"As hardware and software keep evolving and as the computer is used for new tasks and in new ways, this [computer] layer undergoes continuous transformation" (Manovich, 2002 : 64)

Manovich believes that both, the culture layer and the computer layer influence the development of one another. The way that the culture layer is organized is influenced by the organization of data in the computer layer. Culture layer is defined as the layer affecting "all cultural categories and concepts." The cultural layers are transcoded into a new form of new media and are processed through computers. The computer layer is the digital coding that the computer uses to translate into objects . Manovich uses the encyclopaedia as an example of cultural layer, which is something that the public is fairly familiar with and is often used. Other culture layers would include literary texts.

It is evident that the culture and computer layers work together/cohere to produce what we now call a 'computer culture' (Manovich, 2002 : 64) The culture layer is what the humans recognize and are familiar with whereas the computer layer is the digital coding used by the computer to translate it into objects or a language that we are familiar with.

 

 

2/ This diagram summarises the relationship

between culture layer and computer layer.

References:

• Manovich L. 2002, The Language Of New Media: What is New Media and The Principles Of New Media (43-66)

 

Images:

1. http://www.longtailvideo.com/support/bits-on-the-run/24279/understanding-our-transcoding/
2. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0953543811000749

Manovich-What New Media Is and Isn't.

From this extract from Manovich's book The Language Of New Media Manovich strongly emphasis's that New Media is all about computers doing the "distribution or exhibition, rather than the production."(Manovich, Pg 43, 2002) of the Media. In terms of New media, we see examples of it everywhere in our everyday lives like Computer design, Internet, Blu-Ray, Video Games, 3D and Smart TV's etc. But Obviously New Media forms could not be here today without the Older Media which there is also a lot of too and that are still popular like Newspapers, Normal TV, Radio and Films etc.

Computers have changed a lot over the years, from just being big calculators, to punch card machines, to basically being the centre of all media in the world, that is quite a large step forward for the computer right? (Manovich, Pg 48, 2002) The Computer separates itself from other Media forms as it is so much more powerful and can do so much more stuff than any TV or video camera could ever do and it is this factor that makes it what New Media revolves around. A Computer (with the help of internet) is changing the way we watch and consume TV programs. We are now able to watch what we want when we want because of all new types of channel streaming websites and apps that let us enjoy our programs at our fingertips in the comfort of our own beds. "New media is interactive." (Manovich, Pg 66, 2002) As Manovich stated because of Computers we can now interact with are programs like never before with such programs like Big Brother and The Million Pound Drop allowing viewers to play along or answer questions about the show via their computer or tablet.

"Do we want, or need, such freedom?" (Manovich, Pg62, 2002) In this statement Manovich is questioning whether or not the general public should have the ability to change and manipulate Old Media to make it New Media. There should not even be questions over this as this ability that the public have overshadows a lot of Media industry work and shows what potential everyone out there has and this set of skills for the public only came about with a Computer and the New Media.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Book: L.Manovich, The Language Of New Media, 2002, MIT Press.