Latest Closed Captioning News

• December 7, 2009 Using the Internet to Evangelize: Webcasts and Podcasts From the time of the Great Commission until now, Christians have been evangelizing the world through various traditional and modern methods: missionary work, preaching, tracts, music, films, television, crusades, books, street-corner preaching, door knocking, church planting, and now, through the Internet. While traditional evangelism definitely has its place, there is no better way than the Internet [...]
• October 28, 2009 Reminder: FCC Mandates Spanish Captioning January 1st 2010 Don't forget all Spanish programming must be closed captioned starting January 1, 2010.
• October 2, 2009 True EIA-708 Captions Made Possible with AJA and Final Cut Pro 7 True EIA-708 captions can be achieved without the use for an external HD captioning encoder that can cost well over $8000 (US) by using a new captioning work flow.     What You Need   You need Final Cut Pro 7, an AJA Kona card (3, LHi or LSe), and the most recent Kona drivers.  Of course, you will [...]
• September 7, 2009 Troubleshooting: Importing Subtitle Files (.stl or .stl with .tif image files) Into DVD Studio Pro .stl file, .stl file with .tiff images, subtitle files, DVD studio pro, DVDSP, DVD authoring, importing subtitle files into DVDSP, closed captioning and subtitling company, troubleshooting DVD authoring
• August 14, 2009 Attention Closed Captioning Advocates: Support New Bill, HR 3101 I wanted to let you all know about the new bill in Congress, HR 3101, that if it passes, will require captioning on the Internet. The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act was introduced in Congress on June 26, 2009 by Representative Ed Markey.   If you are a supporter, it is very important to email [...]

Closed Captioning

(CC) (commonly known as subtitles, and also called subtitles for the hearing impaired) allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing, learning a new language, beginning to read, in a noisy environment, or otherwise disadvantaged to read a transcript or dialog of the audio portion of a video, film, or other presentation. As the video plays, text captions are displayed that transcribe (although not always verbatim) speech and often other relevant sounds. Source www.wikipedia.com

Closed captions are the text of the audio placed into a hidden area of the video - line 21 of standard definition video. A decoding device is required to open these captions for viewing. All televisions, 13 inches or larger, built after 1993 are required to have a built-in decoder. Closed Captions can be produced in 6 different languages - English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Dutch.

Closed Caption Benefits

Closed captioning provides a critical link to news, entertainment, and information for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. For individuals whose native language is not English, English language captions improve comprehension and fluency. Captions also help improve literacy skills. You can turn on closed captions through your remote control or on-screen menu. The FCC does not regulate closed captioning of home videos, DVDs, or video games.

With our closed captioning services, Aberdeen ensures proper phrasing, placement and timing that communicate the program content fully and effectively. Proper names, industry jargon and technical terms are researched to ensure proper spelling. Our attention to detail assures closed captions enhance the program, rather than detract from it.

The FCC law requires all television programming (20 hours per day) to be closed captioned, and for good reason: Over 31% of the US Population use closed captions when viewing TV shows.

In 1996, Closed Captioning was required by Congress for all video programming distributors (cable operators, broadcasters, satellite distributors, and other multi-channel video programming distributors). In 1997, the FCC set a transition schedule requiring distributors to provide an increasing amount of closed captioned programming.

The Different Closed Captioning Styles - Pop-on & Roll-up

Pop-On Closed Captioning: The program text pops onto the screen in blocks of one to three lines. The captions are carefully placed onto the screen so they do not interfere with on-screen text or graphics. Captions are synched to the spoken word, moved around the screen to identify speakers and sound effects are described. Pop-on closed captions are the preferred viewing style of the hearing impaired.

Roll-Up Closed Captioning: Program text rolls onto the screen one line at a time. In most instances, a maximum of three lines are shown on the screen at a time. The captions are carefully synched to the spoken word and are placed onto the screen so they do not interfere with on-screen text or graphics. Roll-up closed captions are typically used for single speaker videos such as training or preaching programs.