Digital or analog audio tracks can be specified. Many industrial players can also be controlled through the use of a barcode reader. Individual frames or motion sequence chapter designations can be translated into printed barcodes that, when read by a barcode reader, will be accessed. Syllabi and notes that include printed barcodes are a very fast and low-tech method to use, especially if a presentation is being made before a large group with little tolerance for equipment breakdowns or reconfigurations. Special barcode fonts are provided which allow you to copy and paste barcodes into word processing documents for syllabi or lecture notes.
Many users have interactive tutorials and teaching software on computers.
Industrial grade videodisc players have an RS-232 port which allows their playback to be controlled through software when connected by a serial cable to a computer. The drivers which allow either a Macintosh or Windows-based computer to communicate with a videodisc player are specific to each player's manufacturer. There are drivers for Sony players, different than those for Panasonic or Pioneer. Apple Events is a System 7.x technology that lets applications communicate with one another on the same Macintosh computer or over a network. It is primarily a data transport mechanism.