1. Perception Media

Perception media refers to the nature of information perceived by humans, which is not strictly identical to the sense that is stimulated.For example, a still image and a movie convey information of a different nature, though stimulating the same sense.The question to ask here is: How do humans perceive information?

In this context, we distinguish primarily between what we see and what we hear.Auditory media include music,sound and voice.Visual media include text, graphics and still and moving pictures.This differentiation can be further refined.For example, a visual medium can consist of moving pictures, animation, and text. In turn, moving pictures normally consist of series of scenes that, in turn, are composed of single pictures.

2. Representation Media

The term representation media refers to how information is represented internally to the computer.The encoding used is of essential importance. The question to ask here is: How is information encoded in the computer? There are several option:

• Each character of a piece of text is encoded in ASCII.
• A picture is encoded by the CEPT or CAPTAIN standard, or the GKS graphics standard can serve as a basis.
• An audio data stream is available in simple PCM encoding and a linear quantization of 16 bits per sampling value.
• A single image is encoded as group-3 facsimile or in JPEG format.
• A combined audio-video sequence is stored in the computer in various TV standards (eg. PAL, SECAM or NTSC), in the CCIR-601 standard, or in MPEG format.

3. Presentation Media

The term presentation media refers to the physical means used by systems to reproduce information for humans. For example, a TV set uses a cathode-ray tube and loudspeaker. The question to ask here is: Which medium is used to output information from the computer or input in the computer?

We distinguish primarily between output and input. Media such as paper, computer monitors, and loudspeakers are output media, while keyboards, cameras, and microphones are input media.

4. Storage Media

The term storage media is often used in computing to refer to various physical means for storing computer data, such as magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, or digital optical disks. However, data storage is not limited to the components available in a computer, which means that paper is also considered a storage medium. The question to ask here is: Where is information stored?

5. Transmission Media

The term transmission media refers to the physical means-cables of various types, radio tower, satellite, or ether (the medium that transmit radio waves)-that allow the transmission of telecommunication signals. The question to ask here is: Which medium is used to transmit data?

6. Information Exchange Media

Information exchange media include all data media used to transport information, e.g., all storage and transmission media. The question to ask here is: Which data medium is used to exchange information between different locations?

For example, information can be exchanged by storing it on a removable medium and transporting the medium from one location to another. These storage media include microfilms, paper, and floppy disks. Information can also be exchanged directly, if transmission media such as coaxial cables, optical fibers, or radio waves are used.