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MARC FAST-TRACK PROPOSAL
DATE: September 24, 2025
REVISED:
NAME: Adding a Code for 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays to Field 007/04 (Videorecording) in the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format
SOURCE: University of Toronto; Online Audiovisual Catalogers (OLAC)
SUMMARY: This paper proposes adding an additional code for "4K Ultra HD Blu-ray" to field 007/04 (Videorecording/Videorecording format) in the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format in order to provide enough granularity for useful faceting and statistical reporting in library systems. It also presents possible changes that would need to be made to the field in support of this addition.
KEYWORDS: Videorecording (BD); Field 007/04 (Videorecording) (BD); Videorecording format (BD); 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (BD); Blu-ray disc (BD)
RELATED: 2025-DP07; 2008-09; 2002-DP01; 2001-08
STATUS/COMMENTS:
06/25/25 – Discussion Paper 2025-DP07 was converted to a MARC Fast-Track proposal at MAC Annual meeting.
09/24/25 – Submitted to the MARC Steering Group for consideration as a MARC Fast-Track proposal.
11/25/25 – Results of MARC Steering Group review - Approved.
Field 007 (Videorecording) contains coded information about the physical characteristics of a videorecording. Position 007/04 indicates the recording format for videotapes or videodiscs. The coding of the position has developed over time as new formats emerged. In 2001, a code for DVD (code "v") was added, and the coding for laserdisc (code "g") was redefined to distinguish between the two (Proposal 2001-08). The Blu-ray coding (code "s") was added in 2008 (Proposal 2008-09).
The following codes are currently defined for the field:
007 - Videorecording (R)
04 - Videorecording format
a - Beta (1/2 in., videocassette)
b - VHS (1/2 in., videocassette)
c - U-matic (3/4 in., videocasstte)
d - EIAJ (1/2 in., reel)
e - Type C (1 in., reel)
f - Quadruplex (1 in. or 2 in., reel)
g - Laserdisc
h - CED (Capacitance Electronic Disc) videodisc
i - Betacam (1/2 in., videocassette)
j - Betacam SP (1/2 in., videocassette)
k - Super-VHS (1/2 in., videocassette)
m - M-II (1/2 in., videocassette)
o - D-2 (3/4 in., videocassette)
p - 8 mm.
q - Hi-8 mm.
s - Blu-ray disc
u - Unknown
v - DVD
z - Other
| - No attempt to code
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (also known as Ultra HD Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray, etc.) is a newer digital video format capable of supporting faster video frame rates and greater color depth and gamut. 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays are frequently published in a combination package with a regular Blu-ray. They are the same physical size (4 ¾ inch) as a standard DVD or Blu-ray disc but require a different player and monitor than standard DVDs or Blu-rays. It is thus important to be able to distinguish them when displaying information about them to patrons and when providing search-limiting functionality.
A comprehensive search of OCLC Worldcat holdings indicates that there are currently 4,614 records for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray resources held by libraries worldwide (as of April 2025), showing significant popularity of the format in library collections. At the University of Toronto Libraries, we hold approximately 224 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays.
This paper stems from Discussion Paper No. 2025-DP07, which was generally supported by the MARC Advisory Committee at the 2025 Annual meeting. A motion was approved to convert the paper into a fast-track proposal, with the minor editorial suggestion to include the release date (2006) of the standard Blue-ray disc in the proposed revised definition of code "s".
The OLAC’s Best Practices cataloging guide does not specify which code should be used in 007/04 for 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays. As a result, catalogers have applied code "s" (Blu-ray disc), creating ambiguity and reducing the effectiveness of search and retrieval.
The OLAC guide recommends recording the information in field 250 (Edition Statement) if it is included as edition information on the resource; in field 347 (Digital File Characteristics) subfield $b (Encoding format); and optionally in field 538 (System Details Note) if needed for discovery display. In practice, however, usage has varied. Many libraries have been observed using field 538, 500 (General Note), and in some cases, incorrectly using field 346 (Video Characteristics) subfield $a (Video format), to record this information. Field 347 subfield $b is commonly used, but not always with a controlled term. While 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is defined in the LC’s Linked Data Service vocabularies (Encoding format), it does not seem to have gained wide adoption, appearing in none of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray records in OCLC Worldcat (as of April 2025), possibly because it was added in 2024, after the current version of the OLAC guide was published.
Examples of existing records in OCLC Worldcat that include the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray information in different fields and terminology:
LDR 03833cgm a2200685Mi 4500
007 vd csaizq
035 $a (OCoLC)1102275014
250 $a 4K Ultra HD.
300 $a 2 videodiscs (4K Ultra HD + blu-ray) (101 minutes) : $b sound, colour ; $c 12 cm.
346 $a 4K Ultra HD + blu-ray
347 $a video file $b 4K Ultra HD + blu-ray $2 rdaLDR 04594ngm a22009257i 4500
007/04 vd csaizs
035 ## $a (OCoLC)1498856265
250 ## $a 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray edition.
300 ## $a 1 4K Blu-ray disc (206 min.) : $b sound, color ; $c 4 3/4 in. +$e 1 videodisc (Blu-ray)
347 ## $a video file $b Blu-ray $2 rda
347 ## $b 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
500 ## $a 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray combo pack.
538 ## $a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray ; 2160p Ultra High-Definition Widescreen (2.39:1) ; Dolby Vision ; Italian 5.1 DTS-HD ; English 5.1 DTS-HD ; requires: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player, 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR, high-speed HDMI (category 2) cable. 4K television required for full 4k UHD effect; can also be viewed using a 1080 television without full 4K UHD effects.
538 ## $a Blu-ray.LDR 03767cgm a22006977i 4500
007 vd csaizu
035 ## $a (OCoLC)1090417664
300 ## $a 2 videodiscs (94 min.) : $b sound, color ; $c 4 3/4 in.
347 ## $b 4K HD disc
347 ## $b Blu-ray
538 ## $a Blu-ray; 2160p ultra high definition; English Dolby Atmos TrueHD ; DTS-HD Master Audio ; DTS Digital Surround 5.1 ; System requirements: 4K Ultra HD blu-ray player required. 4K television required for full 4K UHD with HDR; High speed HDMI (category 2) cable required for full 4K UHDc effect; can also be viewed using a 1080 television without full 4K UHD effects.
As mentioned above, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray information may be recorded in variable fields. However, since the format is referred to in different ways (Ultra HD Blu-ray, 4K Blu-ray, 4K UHD, 4K Ultra High Definition, etc.), it is not desirable to rely on free text fields such as 538 and 500 to provide reliable search and faceting functionality. Such fields are also prone to spelling errors. This is also true for field 347 $b, as the subfield does not require the use of a standardized vocabulary.
If a controlled term is consistently applied in field 347 subfield $b, the subfield can be used to develop search features. However, videorecording format information is stored not only in field 347 but also in field 346 (Video Characteristics), and to support full search functionality, system configurations would need to incorporate data from both fields 347 and 346. Implementing such a configuration could be complex and may exceed the technical capacity or institutional priorities of some libraries.
The Library of Congress has implemented "Modern MARC", where field 007 only contains the first two positions to reduce data redundancy. While the rationale behind the change is acknowledged, it has long been maintained that MARC should support a variety of use cases and communities. In the current landscape, the biggest collectors of videos in physical format are public libraries, many of which do not have access to sophisticated library management systems. They have to use discovery interfaces that rely on fixed field values, especially LDR and field 007, to help users identify the correct format. Many of the systems that they use are unlikely to transition to linked data in the near term nor are they likely to rework to prefer 34X fields. Therefore, it is important to support the ability to select resources by format based on fixed field data in these systems.
With the proposed new value in field 007/04, libraries from various communities and environments will be able to create data that clearly distinguishes 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from other videorecording formats in a consistent manner, providing a reliable basis for developing effective search-limiting features.
In field 007/04 (Videorecording/Videorecording format) of the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format:
Define new code "t" as follows:
t - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
Advanced optical disc format developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association for the playback of ultra-high-definition (UHD) video content. Utilizes a blue-violet laser similar to standard Blu-ray but with enhanced disc capacity and higher data transfer rates to support resolutions up to 3840 × 2160 pixels (4K), high dynamic range (HDR), and expanded color depth. Requires a dedicated Ultra HD Blu-ray player and compatible 4K display equipment for full functionality. Discs and packaging generally bear the trademark "Ultra HD Blu-ray" or "4K Ultra HD." This format was introduced commercially in 2016.
Revise the defintion of code "s" as follows:
[Note: proposed changes are in bold bracketed italics.]
s - Blu-ray disc
Optical disc format designed for high-definition video and data storage developed by Sony/Phillips. Blu-ray uses a blue-violet laser with a shorter wave length to allow for greater data storage in a smaller space. [Unlike 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, it does not support 4K resolution or high dynamic range (HDR).] Requires aspecial[Blu-ray] player to view the disc. This format was introduced commercially in 2006.
007/04 vd ctaizq
347 ## $b 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray $0 http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/mencformat/4kubr
538 ## $a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray; wide screen; 5.1 Dolby Digital; Dolby Atmos, Audio description; System requirements: 4K ultra HD blu-ray player required. 4K television required for full 4k UHD effect; can also be viewed using a 1080 television without full 4K UHD effects.
007/04 vd csaizk
007/04 vd ctaizk
250 ## $a 4k ultra HD and Blu-ray combo edition.
347 ## $b 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray $0 http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/mencformat/4kubr
347 ## $b Blu-ray $0 http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/mencformat/bluray
347 ## $e all regions $2 rdare
538 ## $a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray; region free; 2160p Ultra High Definition wide screen (2.39:1); Dolby Atmos and 2.0 descriptive audio, Dolby digital 7.1 & 5.1; System requirements: 4K ultra HD blu-ray player required. 4K television required for full 4k UHD effect; can also be viewed using a 1080 television without full 4K UHD effects.
538 ## $a Blu-ray, wide screen (2.39:1); 7.1 DTS-HD MA, 2.0 Dolby (digital audio description English), 5.1 Dolby digital (French, Spanish); 1080p high definition; regions A, B, C; requires Blu-ray player.
The MARC-to-BIBFRAME and BIBFRAME-to-MARC conversion programs can be modified to include this addition. Currently, field 007/04 maps to bf:videoCharacteristic – bf:VideoFormat for non-digital formats (like VHS), and to bf:digitalCharacteristic – bf:EncodingFormat for digital formats (like Blu-ray). This code would be mapped in the same way as Blu-ray.
In field 007/04 (Videorecording/Videorecording format) of the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format:
6.1. Define new code "t" (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray), as described in Section 3.1.
6.2. Revise the definition of code "s" (Blue-ray disc), as described in Section 3.2.
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