Comments on: What Does “Video” Mean Today?

By: Swiss Army Librarian » Reference Question of the Week – 7/1/12 :: Brian Herzog

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 15:34:27 +0000

[...] know it's kind of just semantics, but people using the term video bothers me (and not just because it's ambiguous). But even moreso when people talk about "renting" things from a library. I think they know what [...]

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:16:09 +0000

I think of it and use the term as “any format of moving picture”. However, I’ve noticed that my kids (Ages 4 to 12) often correct me saying, “That’s not a video, Dad. That’s a DVD”. They think of video to mean VHS. Perhaps I’ve changed my view over time, whereas I used to conceive of “video” as being short for a “video tape”.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:55:52 +0000

The term “video” to me personally connotes VHS. I’ve found that patrons use it both in that sense and to mean DVD. My library uses “video recordings” as a material type to encompass VHS’s and DVDs.

By: Kaia

Kaia — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:48:15 +0000

I think video is used to refer to any format of moving picture, whether it be YouTube, VHS, or DVD, although it does still maintain subtle connotations of VHS tapes.

Because it does seem like different people have different understandings of the word, it’s a good practice to ask what format customers are talking about when they say video. Do they want funny cat videos on YouTube? Are they wondering if we still carry VHS tapes? (The answer is no, sorry.) Do they want to know whether a DVD copy of their movie is in? Always good to ask!

By: The Librarian With No Name

The Librarian With No Name — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:15:26 +0000

I think “video game” still works in a broad sense, given what appears to be the majority definition of “video.” It defines the game by its reliance on some sort of electronic digital display, as distinct from board games, card games, etc.

This usage has not really changed over the history of video games, as I can’t think of many modern electronic games that don’t rely on display technology that would fit comfortably under the hardware definition of “video.” LCD handhelds, possibly, but those are sort of the outlying ghetto of electronic entertainment.

In fact, the VHS definition of “video” never really applied to video games, since the number of VCR-based video games is vanishingly small, and never very popular. Most VCR-based games were actually board or card games at heart, and hardly ever referred to as “video games.” The Action Max lightgun console did require a VCR to play its games, but it was something of a freak even in its day.

By: Brian Herzog

Brian Herzog — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:17:39 +0000

I’m always curious about the evolution of language, which I think is why I am so interested in this question. I do help many patrons who mean VHS when they say video, but many of those patrons also think that “VHS tapes” and “VCR tapes” are different things. At the same time, I have patrons asking for books on tape, but use that as a generic term like “audiobooks,” because they really want a CD.

I guess there are lots of examples of this – people still “dial” their phones, or “tape” a show with their DVR. We’re just trying to keep up with meanings, so our tools are clear And people can find things where the expect them.

By: AH

AH — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:44:42 +0000

If I’m referring to a physical copy of a movie, I’d generally call it a “film” (even though that refers to a format so obsolete as to be a generic term) or movie, as “video” would make me think of VHS (I’m 25). However, if it’s digital and not a movie (YouTube, etc.), it’s still a video.

Much the way that for music, I’d buy an album (which also refers to an obsolete/generic format) rather than say I got the new cd or tape.

By: Mike Shell

Mike Shell — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:39:55 +0000

The term “video” seems to be used now as a generic term for moving visual recording in any format.

BTW, it’s amusing, yet maybe makes sense, that LC Subject Headings still use “motion picture,” even though that phrase has dropped out of common usage.

By: Gem

Gem — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:01:29 +0000

To me, it means any format of moving picture. However, a library associate I talked to, who I think is just a couple years older than me (I’m 33) says it means VHS to her. She wondered if the meaning changed depending on your generation. I wonder what teens consider video.

By: Benjamin Kalish

Benjamin Kalish — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:45:01 +0000

I use video in the broadest sense. I see it as analogous to audio, although admittedly we don’t listen to “an audio” or borrow “an audio” from the library.

That said, I encounter many library patrons who understand video to mean only VHS tapes.