| Thumbnail | The initial image viewed when the HotMedia is played. A thumbnail is not required. |
| Animation | Sequence of images which may be displayed manually or automatically. Animations may or may not be present. Animations may start automatically, or be started by the user after a thumbnail (or initial image) has been viewed. |
| Tier 1 URL | HTML markup option to provide a hyperlink from thumbnail portion of HotMedia. If this exists, it supersedes animation or other transitions. |
| Tier 2 URL | HTML markup option to provide a hyperlink from the animation, or other second tier HotMedia element. This HTML option supersedes intra-HotMedia hot links. |