| DESCRIPTION OF FORMATS |
| 7" |
45rpm vinyl single |
| 10" |
45rpm vinyl single that measures 10 inches across - not as common as the 7" or 12" and usually released as a limited edition item. |
| 12" |
45rpm vinyl single, known as a 'maxi single' in Europe. They sometimes have extra tracks or extended versions on them. |
| LP |
33rpm long playing vinyl album |
| ACETATE |
Used to 'test' the pressing and sound quality of a vinyl record before it went into production - a metal record plate that is covered in acetone, very few of them were made in the recording process and usually only given to people who worked on the recording. Acetates by known artists are very collectable and fetch good prices. |
| CD |
CD album |
| CD SINGLE OR CD5 |
CD Single |
| CD-R |
CD-Recordable: a blank CD onto which music or information can be recorded, they are now used heavily in the recording industry and have now replaced the traditional acetate as they are so easy to make. |
| CD VIDEO |
CD Singles that were released with an additional bonus video track on them, The discs are gold in colour and you need a special player to view the video track (you can play the audio tracks on a regular cd player). The format was not popular and soon failed. CD Videos are collectable due to their limited release. |
| CED VIDEODISC |
A large LP sized cartridge (like a large floppy disk) used to hold film and music videos. Quite popular in the USA, but again the format was not successul in the UK as you need a special player to play them. Collectable items. |
| LASERDISC |
An LP sized silver disc (like a large CD) that holds video pictures and films. A popular format in the USA but they were never really successful in the UK - you need a special laserdisc player to play them. |
| PIC DISC |
Vinyl records with a picture printed onto the vinyl. Available in 7", 10", 12" LPs and Shaped Pic Discs. Usually limited edition releases. |
| PROGRAMME |
Tour programme - a booklet that was sold on a live tour |
| VIDEO |
VHS video tape, most of the video's that we stock are UK PAL unless otherwise stated. Many modern VCR machines will play both PAL and NTSC formats (the USA standard) but you need to check your particular model. |
| ABBREVIATIONS |
| DBL |
Double (DBL LP means there are 2 records in the album cover) |
| DEMO |
Demonstration item - Demo records were usually given to DJs and Radio Stations in advance of the offical release |
| DIGI PACK |
Cardboard sleeve packaging that is sometimes used on CDs instead of the usual plastic jewel case. The CD tray is usually glued into a thick card packaging that folds open like a book. |
| FLEXI |
Flexi disc - a lightweight plastic 7" record that was usually given away with a magazine or as a limited release. |
| G/FOLD |
Gatefold Sleeve - folds open like a book |
| NOC (RECORD) |
No original centre |
| NOC (MAGAZINE) |
Not on cover |
| OBI |
The paper band that is usually wrapped around most Japanese LP's |
| P/S |
Picture Sleeve |
| POSTERBAG |
The record sleeve opens out into a poster |
| PROMO |
Promotional item - usually given out to DJs or Record Stores in advance of the offical release to promote a new single or album |
| T/P |
Test Pressing |
| TRK |
Track - eg: 3 TRK means there are 3 tracks on the CD or Record |
| W/L |
White Label |