Closed Captioning Blog http://abercap.com/blog Powered by Aberdeen Captioning Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:39:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Using the Internet to Evangelize: Webcasts and Podcasts http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/lf1FZednzKU/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/12/07/using-the-internet-to-evangelize-webcasts-and-podcasts/#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:38:54 +0000 Joanna http://abercap.com/blog/?p=286 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 to reach millions of people across the world with the least amount of effort.  Many ministries are using Internet-based evangelism by setting up virtual church campuses where members in remote areas without access to a physical church can attend.  These virtual churches have opened up the opportunity for millions of people who otherwise may not have been able to hear the Gospel or attend a good local Christian church.

ADDRESSING THE LANGUAGE GAP

When a cyber-church hopes to open its ‘virtual doors” to an international community they should first think of how they will communicate to a non-English-speaking community.

Providing multi-language subtitles is the most efficient and cost-effective method to localizing your webcasts in multiple languages.  Subtitles can be combined with just about any player: Flash, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, YouTube, RealPlayer, etc.  If you want your message to be understood by a multi-lingual audience, there is no way around localizing your programming for various languages.  This article summarizes the main ways to tackle subtitling.

COST AND QUALITY CHOICES

The Automated Translator

The cheapest option to subtitle your English video is automatic translation.  Google offers this as a free service for YouTube videos.  The main problem, however, is inaccuracy.

Here is an actual example of one such English to Spanish translation:

The original English subtitle: “The history of the Flood is precise. The history from Abraham on is precise. Everything else is precise. There’s precision in the Law and the history books. There’s precision in the Psalms and the books of literature that we call poetry. And there is precision in the prophets.”

The automated translation: “La historia de la inundación es preciso. La historia de Abraham en es preciso. Todo lo demás es preciso. No hay precisión en la Ley y en los libros de historia. No hay precisión en los Salmos y los libros de la literatura que llamamos poesía. Y no hay precisión en los profetas.”

But there are two serious problems with this translation. First, it doesn’t use the proper term for the Flood.  It is like calling the Flood “the inundation” in English. Second, it says that the Bible ISN’T precise in many instances, which exactly the opposite of what the speaker intended.

The main point is that automated translation will often distort, add or subtract from the Word of God, while a good human translator relies on the translations of the Bible into Spanish that have been diligently compared to the original Bible manuscripts. Therefore they do not need to do their own translation of the Bible.  Finally, good Christian translators rely on the Lord to give them the proper words, something a computer could never do.

The Volunteer Translator

If you have volunteer translators in your church, this can be an excellent way to go.  The translation will be free, but you will most likely have to team up with a subtitling company to create the needed subtitle file. Nevertheless your cost will be significantly lower.

One of the main advantages to using volunteers is that the translator will most likely be familiar with the speaker’s style and message as well as have a heart for what they are translating.

Nevertheless, there are two points to be aware of when dealing with volunteers.  First, just because they “know” another language, doesn’t mean they will be able to properly translate into that language in a Christian context.  Be sure they are native speakers of the target language, as well as having attended Christian church or listened to Christian teaching in their native language.  Also, as with all volunteers, you must be sure they can meet your production deadline week after week.  Be sure to have a back-up plan.

The Non-Christian/Amateur Translator

If you search for the cheapest subtitling package cost, you may end up with a “non-Christian” or “amateur” translation.  With a non-Christian translator or inexperienced translator you may find a cheaper rate, but you will run into problems similar to what you find with automatic translation. The terminology used is often of secular nature, or worse yet, that of another religion when referring to Christian matters. For example, in Japan, where less than one percent are reported Christians, it is very difficult to find a Japanese-speaker able to properly translate the word “atonement,” as this concept does not exist in Japan’s main religions, Buddhism and Shinto.

Another example that had me chuckling for hours was in an interpreted church service from English to Spanish when the interpreter referred to the Holy Ghost as the “Fantasma Sagrado,” instead of the correct Spanish term, “Espíritu Santo.”  For a Spanish-speaker this is like calling the Holy Ghost something similar to the Sacred Phantom. It doesn’t quite work.

The Experienced Christian Translator

Of course, this is the best option, but not always the most affordable.  The experienced Christian translator is a Christian with a heart for the message and also with the training and tools to localize your message properly to the target audience.  When searching for a full-package subtitling service, be sure to ask the company about the translators they use.  Do they have experience translating Christian material?  How many years of experience do they have?  What other Christian material have they translated?  Ask to see their resumes.  In addition to a good Christian translator, if you are willing to pay top dollar, also be sure there is an additional proof of the translation before the subtitles go live, so that any errors are caught.  If you have people available in your ministry to do a proof of the final translations, this option can bring your cost down significantly.

THE BOTTOM LINE

All and all, when translating your message for multi-language subtitles, be sure to allow feedback on the translation from the viewers.  This can be a simple box below the video where the viewer can input their feedback.  You never know, you may even get viewers across the world willing to translate your message for free.  Are you getting the number of viewers you desired in each country?  If not, it may be that the subtitles are so poor that the viewer gives up.

Although there are many service options out there at many different costs, the important thing is that you know exactly what you are getting and you evaluate what will work best for your ministry.  From years of experience, the old saying still rings true: You get what you pay for.

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 to reach millions of people across the world with the least amount of effort.  Many ministries are using Internet-based evangelism by setting up virtual church campuses where members in remote areas without access to a physical church can attend.  These virtual churches have opened up the opportunity for millions of people who otherwise may not have been able to hear the Gospel or attend a good local Christian church.
ADDRESSING THE LANGUAGE GAP
When a cyber-church hopes to open its ‘virtual doors” to an international community they should first think of how they will communicate to a non-English-speaking community.
Providing multi-language subtitles is the most efficient and cost-effective method to localizing your webcasts in multiple languages.  Subtitles can be combined with just about any player: Flash, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, YouTube, RealPlayer, etc.  If you want your message to be understood by a multi-lingual audience, there is no way around localizing your programming for various languages.  This article summarizes the main ways to tackle subtitling.
COST AND QUALITY CHOICES
The Automated Translator
The cheapest option to subtitle your English video is automatic translation.  Google offers this as a free service for YouTube videos.  The main problem, however, is inaccuracy.
Here is an actual example of one such English to Spanish translation:
The original English subtitle: “The history of the Flood is precise. The history from Abraham on is precise. Everything else is precise. There’s precision in the Law and the history books. There’s precision in the Psalms and the books of literature that we call poetry. And there is precision in the prophets.”
The automated translation: “La historia de la inundación es preciso. La historia de Abraham en es preciso. Todo lo demás es preciso. No hay precisión en la Ley y en los libros de historia. No hay precisión en los Salmos y los libros de la literatura que llamamos poesía. Y no hay precisión en los profetas.”
But there are two serious problems with this translation. First, it doesn’t use the proper term for the Flood.  It is like calling the Flood “the inundation” in English. Second, it says that the Bible ISN’T precise in many instances, which exactly the opposite of what the speaker intended.
The main point is that automated translation will often distort, add or subtract from the Word of God, while a good human translator relies on the translations of the Bible into Spanish that have been diligently compared to the original Bible manuscripts. Therefore they do not need to do their own translation of the Bible.  Finally, good Christian translators rely on the Lord to give them the proper words, something a computer could never do.
The Volunteer Translator
If you have volunteer translators in your church, this can be an excellent way to go.  The translation will be free, but you will most likely have to team up with a subtitling company to create the needed subtitle file. Nevertheless your cost will be significantly lower.
One of the main advantages to using volunteers is that the translator will most likely be familiar with the speaker’s style and message as well as have a heart for what they are translating.
Nevertheless, there are two points to be aware of when dealing with volunteers.  First, just because they “know” another language, doesn’t mean they will be able to properly translate into that language in a Christian context.  Be sure they are native speakers of the target language, as well as having attended Christian church or listened to Christian teaching in their native language.  Also, as with all volunteers, you must be sure they can meet your production deadline week after week.  Be sure to have a back-up plan.
The Non-Christian/Amateur Translator
If you search for the cheapest subtitling package cost, you may end up with a “non-Christian” or “amateur” translation.  With a non-Christian translator or inexperienced translator you may find a cheaper rate, but you will run into problems similar to what you find with automatic translation. The terminology used is often of secular nature, or worse yet, that of another religion when referring to Christian matters. For example, in Japan, where less than one percent are reported Christians, it is very difficult to find a Japanese-speaker able to properly translate the word “atonement,” as this concept does not exist in Japan’s main religions, Buddhism and Shinto.
Another example that had me chuckling for hours was in an interpreted church service from English to Spanish when the interpreter referred to the Holy Ghost as the “Fantasma Sagrado,” instead of the correct Spanish term, “Espíritu Santo.”  For a Spanish-speaker this is like calling the Holy Ghost something similar to the Sacred Phantom. It doesn’t quite work.
The Experienced Christian Translator
Of course, this is the best option, but not always the most affordable.  The experienced Christian translator is a Christian with a heart for the message and also with the training and tools to localize your message properly to the target audience.  When searching for a full-package subtitling service, be sure to ask the company about the translators they use.  Do they have experience translating Christian material?  How many years of experience do they have?  What other Christian material have they translated?  Ask to see their resumes.  In addition to a good Christian translator, if you are willing to pay top dollar, also be sure there is an additional proof of the translation before the subtitles go live, so that any errors are caught.  If you have people available in your ministry to do a proof of the final translations, this option can bring your cost down significantly.
THE BOTTOM LINE
All and all, when translating your message for multi-language subtitles, be sure to allow feedback on the translation from the viewers.  This can be a simple box below the video where the viewer can input their feedback.  You never know, you may even get viewers across the world willing to translate your message for free.  Are you getting the number of viewers you desired in each country?  If not, it may be that the subtitles are so poor that the viewer gives up.
Although there are many service options out there at many different costs, the important thing is that you know exactly what you are getting and you evaluate what will work best for your ministry.  From years of experience, the old saying still rings true: You get what you pay for.
About the Author
Joanna Scavo works for Aberdeen Captioning as their multi-language translation and subtitling director.  Aberdeen services hundreds of Christian ministries with their captioning, subtitling, translation, and captioning needs.  Check out their booth to find more about their multi-language options for your ministry or to see what new HD workflows are available in 2010.  Aberdeen—committed t
]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/12/07/using-the-internet-to-evangelize-webcasts-and-podcasts/feed/ 2 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/12/07/using-the-internet-to-evangelize-webcasts-and-podcasts/ Reminder: FCC Mandates Spanish Captioning January 1st 2010 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/ecBAT0Vm924/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/10/28/reminder-fcc-mandates-spanish-captioning-january-1st-2010/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:08:27 +0000 Joanna http://abercap.com/blog/?p=283 Just wanted to send out a reminder to everyone producing Spanish captioning programming.  The FCC mandate requires that 100% of all Spanish captioning programming be closed captioned in Spanish for the deaf and hard of hearing.  You can find the complete mandate here:

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/closedcaption.html:

Here are the specifics from the FCC’s website:

Spanish Language Programming

  • Because captioning is fairly new to Spanish language program providers, the FCC allows them a longer time to provide captioned programming. All Spanish language programming that was first shown after January 1, 1998, must be captioned by 2010 with some exemptions. The following schedule applies to Spanish language “new” and non-exempt programming, or programming shown after January 1, 1998:
  • January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006: 900 hours of programming per channel per quarter or all of the new, non-exempt Spanish language programming on that channel, whichever is less.
  • January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009: 1350 hours of programming per channel per quarter or all of the new, non-exempt Spanish language programming on that channel, whichever is less.
  • January 1, 2010, and thereafter: 100 percent of all programming, with some exceptions.
  • For Spanish language “Pre-Rule Programming” (first shown before January 1, 1998) that is not exempt from the closed captioning rules, the following schedule applies:
  • January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011: 30 percent of programming per channel per quarter.
  • January 1, 2012, and thereafter: 75 percent of programming per channel per quarter.

There are many ways you can get your Spanish programming captioned.  There are tape and tapeless options to fit your budget.  Feel free to give Aberdeen a call (800-688-6621) or an e-mail (info@abercap.com) to request a price quote for your project or to learn about your different workflow options.  You can request a price quote here: rate request. For more information on our Spanish captioning department visit: Spanish Captioning.

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/10/28/reminder-fcc-mandates-spanish-captioning-january-1st-2010/feed/ 2 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/10/28/reminder-fcc-mandates-spanish-captioning-january-1st-2010/ True EIA-708 Captions Made Possible with AJA and Final Cut Pro 7 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/p1vdVS-ukyU/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/10/02/true-eia-708-captions-made-possible-with-aja-and-final-cut-pro-7/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:10:41 +0000 Joanna http://abercap.com/blog/?p=272 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 also need a special caption file created by a closed captioning service like Aberdeen Captioning (ONLY created using CPC/Mac Caption software).

 

What You Get

 

If you have the above-mentioned hardware and software, you can create the HD master caption tape in various HD tape formats, create HD captions for optical disc format delivery, and create captions for web video–and all of this can be done in-house without having to ship anything back and forth with a caption company.

 

How it Works

 

The AJA Kona cards ($1490 US) function as an HD encoder and place the captions in the accurate area in the HD video data.  Here’s how:

 

The closed captioning file that you receive is then imported into Final Cut Pro 7 and it doesn’t require you to do any rendering.  Final Cut Pro 7 has been designed to accept this caption file and in conjunction with the AJA card, it places the caption data into the correct location in the video being laid to tape.

 

AJA, Final Cut Pro, and CPC have all worked together to create this new technology. 

 

Note: This workflow can also work for SD video if needed.

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/10/02/true-eia-708-captions-made-possible-with-aja-and-final-cut-pro-7/feed/ 0 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/10/02/true-eia-708-captions-made-possible-with-aja-and-final-cut-pro-7/ Troubleshooting: Importing Subtitle Files (.stl or .stl with .tif image files) Into DVD Studio Pro http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/iuL0BZFu-2c/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/09/07/troubleshooting-importing-subtitle-files-stl-or-stl-with-tif-image-files-into-dvd-studio-pro/#comments Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:16:56 +0000 Joanna http://abercap.com/blog/?p=242 If you found this article, you are probably a DVD authorer at your wit’s end trying to figure out why the subtitle file will not import into your authoring system.  We have a little tip that might just do the trick. 

 

As you can imagine, as a closed-captioning and subtitling company, we work hand-in-hand with DVD authoring houses and individual DVD authoring people.  When we deliver our clients subtitle files for DVD Studio Pro (typically an .stl directory file with .tif images or a stand-alone .stl file), there are sometimes discrepancies with time code making DVD Studio Pro reject the .stl file.  Then our client calls us for help and we usually walk through the issue, and often we actually test out the files with their video in our authoring system to see where the problem is originating.  After going through this troubleshooting process with our clients time and time again, we have found a solution that pretty much does the trick every time.  

 

Are you ready for it?

 

1. Open your project in DVD Studio Pro without the video.  In other words, remove your video from the project.

2. Import the subtitle file (.stl for example)

3. Import your video

 

Now you have something you can work with.

 

Please feel free to leave your comments or your experiences.

 

If this trick doesn’t work, call Aberdeen Captioning at 800-688-6621and we’ll be able to give you a hand troubleshooting your issue.

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/09/07/troubleshooting-importing-subtitle-files-stl-or-stl-with-tif-image-files-into-dvd-studio-pro/feed/ 0 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/09/07/troubleshooting-importing-subtitle-files-stl-or-stl-with-tif-image-files-into-dvd-studio-pro/ Attention Closed Captioning Advocates: Support New Bill, HR 3101 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/QTRadAm1xQ8/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/14/attention-closed-captioning-advocates-support-new-bill-hr-3101/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:09:05 +0000 Joanna http://abercap.com/blog/?p=237 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 Congress about this bill to increase its chances of survival and passage. Use https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml to contact 

Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the bill. Captioning supporters also need a similar bill introduced in the Senate, so use http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm to contact Senators.

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/14/attention-closed-captioning-advocates-support-new-bill-hr-3101/feed/ 2 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/14/attention-closed-captioning-advocates-support-new-bill-hr-3101/ Closed Captioning Survey Results Are In! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/P7A-VwqW8rQ/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/12/closed-captioning-survey-results-are-in/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:02:16 +0000 Joanna http://www.abercap.com/blog/?p=225 Question #1: Do you use (watch) closed captioning?

 

Who responded: 100% of the 345 respondents who took this survey.

 

Results: 59% (203 people) use closed captioning and 41% (142) do not.

 

Question #2: How often do you use (watch) closed captioning?

 

Who responded: 83% of respondents (286 people).

 

Results:

  • 27% (76 people) said they used captioning daily.
  • 26% (74 people) said they used captioning weekly.
  • 16% (47 people) said they used captioning monthly.
  • 31% (89 people) said they used captioning yearly.

 

Question #3: When do you use (watch) closed captioning?

 

Who responded: 77% of the respondents (264 people).

 

Results:  This was a short answer question.

 

Here were some of the most typical answers (all had various respondents):

  • All day / Always / All the time / Whenever I watch TV
  • Almost all the time
  • At the gym
  • At the airport
  • Movies / DVDs / Blu-ray Disc / iTunes movies
  • Financial/news shows
  • All programs in other languages
  • At a bar or restaurant
  • At work
  • When a TV character has a strong accent / unclear speech / complex dialogue / audio unclear / technical terminology
  • For better understanding of programming
  • At night/evening not to disturb others
  • When with deaf/hard-of-hearing friends/family
  • Doctor’s office
  • Commencement Ceremonies
  • During City Council Meetings / government meetings
  • Never / I don’t
  • Foreign films
  • If there is a lot of noise at home
  • When TV is muted
  • When on the phone
  • When listening to something else
  • To brush up on language skills
  • Listening to speeches

Quick Conclusions: As you can see there are a lot of people who watch closed captioning for other reasons that being deaf or hard of hearing.

 

Question #4: Why do you use (watch) closed captioning?

 

Who responded: 91% of the respondents (313 people).

 

Results:

  • 1% (only 4 people!) said they are completely deaf.
  • 5% (17 people) said they are hard of hearing.
  • 8% (25 people) said their first language is not English.
  • 33% (103 people) said they use captions at the gym.
  • 34% (106 people) said they use captions in noisy public areas.
  • 24% (76 people) said they use captions not to bother others.
  • 2% (6 people) said they are learning to read.
  • 9% (27 people) said they prefer watching television with captions for no particular reason.
  • 43% (135 people) responded “other.”

 

Quick Conclusions: As you can see, the majority who took this survey are not deaf or hard of hearing.   Captioning is used by more people than most people think. 

 

Question #5: What is your biggest problem with closed captioning?

 

Who responded: 73% of the respondents (252 people).

 

Results:  This was a short answer question.

  • Speed / lag / timing / does not keep up with dialogue / out of sync / delay
  • Accuracy / Mistakes / Misspellings / doesn’t say what is actually said / Abbreviating what is said
  • Positioning on the screen / blocks picture/screen / covers graphics / covers speakers’ faces
  • Accuracy during live events
  • Analog captioning on HD TVs on non-HD channels
  • Can’t see it on some backgrounds on screen
  • Font hard to read / legibility of text / lettering size
  • Not all shows captioned
  • Going through the menu to turn it on or off
  • Hard to keep up with sometimes–too fast / hard to read
  • Inconsistent formatting
  • Inconsistent quality
  • Distracting
  • Live CC Standards used in non-live programs
  • Poor quality
  • Availability with HD
  • Do not like roll-up captions
  • None.

Quick Conclusions: Looks like caption users are asking for better, more consistent quality!  Are producers and TV stations willing to pay for it?

 

Question #6: Why don’t you use closed captioning?

 

Who responded: 61% of the respondents (209 people).

 

Results:  This was a short answer question.

 

Here were the main answers with multiple respondents each:

  • I can hear / I am not deaf or hard of hearing
  • I DO use it.
  • I don’t need to.
  • I live outside the US.
  • Cannot tolerate the delay
  • Hard to read / too fast
  • Do not have the option on my TV set
  • I have normal hearing and speak English
  • Do not have cable
  • Disruptive and distracting
  • In the way of sports’ action
  • If there are too many mistakes, I turn them off or change the channel

Quick Conclusions: Among other reasons, it appears that many hearing people that do not use captions out of necessity would use captions more often if they were of better quality and less distracting.

Question #7: What would make closed captioning better for you?

 

Who responded: 59% of the respondents (204 people).

 

Results:  This was a short answer question.

 

Here were the main answers with multiple respondents each:

  • Available on more programming
  • A side panel separate from the main view-screen / if did not cover the picture
  • A way to re-capture on the DVR
  • Ability to select where it appears on the screen
  • Ability to use on programs on the internet
  • CC in upper and lower case
  • Annotations to know who is speaking
  • Better quality / accuracy / timing / consistency
  • Better font
  • Easier to read
  • Better captioners and caption editors
  • Customizable user interface (color/font/placement)
  • Different fonts and colors per person speaking
  • Easier to turn on and off
  • Edit out unnecessary dialogue
  • Everything in pop-on style, no roll-up captions
  • Look more like Karaoke screens
  • If it were free to create / production of CC not so expensive
  • If it could be simplified for TV producers
  • If more public places turned on captioning
  • More standardized
  • More stringent FCC mandates
  • Move based on sporting event (do not cover score)
  • If one CC file would work for all media
  • Nothing

Question #8: Do you know how closed captioning works?

 

Who responded: 100% of the respondents (345 people).

 

Results: 

  • 78% (269 people) said they know how closed captioning works.
  • 22% (76 people) said they DO NOT know how closed captioning works.


Question #9: Do you know how to display closed captioning on your television?

 

Who responded: 100% of the respondents (345 people).

 

Results: 

  • 90% (309 people) said they know how to display closed captioning on their TV.
  • 22% (36 people) said they DO NOT know how to display closed captioning on their TV.

Question #10: If a show does not have closed captioning does it deter you from watching the show?

 

Who responded: 99% of the respondents (341 people).

 

Results: 

 

10% (34 people) said it would deter them from watching a show.

90% (307 people) said it would NOT deter them from watching a show.

 

Quick Conclusions: My guess is that if more deaf and hard of hearing people had taken this survey the percentage would be higher for people saying that a show without captions would deter them from watching it.

 

A few additional comments from the respondents:

  • It is very important that children’s programming has closed captioning.
  • Internet video content should have closed captioning option.
  • TV stations should monitor quality of captioning.
  • People frequently comment to me about the typos.
  • Market closed captioning like sidewalk ramps: IT’S GOOD FOR ALL!
  • There needs to be more captioning at movie theaters.
  • Off-line captioning needs to be standardized.
  • There should be multi-language choices for closed captioning.
  • I would like to see Spanish and English captioning simultaneously.
  • Many cable boxes prevent captioning.
  • Some guides say that a show is captioned when it really isn’t.
  • I have spoken to too many people who think CC quality is poor.
  • CC is surprisingly useful in public places for non-deaf.
  • The older the baby boomers get, the more we need closed captioning!
  • Closed-captioning software is too expensive.
  • I find closed captioning very useful to non-English speakers to learn English.
  • I wish movie downloads on-demand had captions.
  • It is a great service!
  • It is overlooked for commercials.
  • HDTV needs captioning!

 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the closed-captioning survey.  If you would like a PDF copy of the complete survey, please e-mail me, Joanna, at info@abercap.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/12/closed-captioning-survey-results-are-in/feed/ 10 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/12/closed-captioning-survey-results-are-in/ Los resultados de la encuesta acerca del sistema de Closed Caption http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/VzipBXYq_pA/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/12/los-resultados-de-la-encuesta-acerca-del-sistema-de-closed-caption/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:00:14 +0000 Joanna http://abercap.com/blog/?p=246 Los resultados de la encuesta acerca del sistema de Closed Caption o CC (subtítulos para sordos o personas con problemas auditivos) son:

 

Pregunta #1: ¿Utiliza o lee el closed caption?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 100% de las 345 de las personas que fueron encuestadas.

 

Resultados: 59% (203 personas) utiliza el closed caption y 41% (142) no lo utiliza.

 

Pregunta #2: ¿Con qué frecuencia utiliza o lee el closed caption?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 83% de los encuestados (286 personas).

 

Resultados:

  • 27% (76 personas) dijo utilizar el closed caption todos los días.
  • 26% (74 personas) dijo utilizar el closed caption cada semana.
  • 16% (47 personas) dijo utilizar el closed caption cada mes.
  • 31% (89 personas) dijo utilizar el closed caption cada año.

 

Pregunta #3: ¿Cuando utiliza o lee el closed caption?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 77% de los encuestados (264 personas).

 

Resultados: Respuestas concisas

 

He aquí algunas de las respuestas más comunes de diferentes encuestados:

  • Todo el día / Siempre / Todo el tiempo / Cuando veo la TV
  • Casi todo el tiempo
  • En el gimnasio
  • En el aeropuerto
  • Películas / DVD / Discos Blu-ray / Películas de iTunes
  • Programas financieros y noticieros
  • Todos los programas en otros idiomas
  • En un bar o un restaurante
  • En el trabajo
  • Cuando un personaje tiene un acento pronunciado / un lenguaje no muy claro / un diálogo complicado / una terminología técnica 
  • Para entender mejor el programa
  • En la noche/tarde para no molestar a otros
  • Cuando estoy con amigos/familiares que son sordos o tienen problemas de audición
  • En el consultorio del médico
  • Ceremonias de graduación
  • Durante las reuniones del Consejo Municipal / reuniones gubernamentales
  • Nunca / No los utilizo
  • Películas extranjeras
  • Si hay mucho ruido en casa
  • Cuando el sonido de la TV está apagado (botón “mute”)
  • Cuando hablo por teléfono
  • Cuando escucho otra cosa
  • Para repasar los conocimientos lingüísticos
  • Para escuchar los diálogos

 

Hay muchas personas que utilizan el closed caption por otras razones y no por problemas auditivos.

 

Pregunta #4: ¿Porqué utiliza o lee el closed caption?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 91% de los encuestados (313 personas).

 

Resultados:

  • 1% (¡sólo 4 personas!) dijo estar completamente sordo.
  • 5% (17 personas) dijo tener problemas de audición.
  • 8% (25 personas) dijo que su primer idioma no es el inglés.
  • 33% (103 personas) dijo que lee el closed caption en el gimnasio.
  • 34% (106 personas) dijo que utiliza el closed caption en áreas públicas con ruido.
  • 24% (76 personas) dijo que utiliza el closed caption para no molestar a otros.
  • 2% (6 personas) dijo estar aprendiendo a leer.
  • 9% (27 personas) dijo que prefiere ver la televisión con el closed caption sin razón alguna.
  • 43% (135 personas) respondió “otro”.

 

Como pueden ver, la mayoría de las personas que realizaron la encuesta no tienen problemas auditivos.

 

Pregunta #5: ¿Qué problema enfrenta al utilizar el closed caption?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 73% de los encuestados (252 personas).

 

Resultados: Respuestas concisas

  • Rapidez / Retraso / Tiempo / No sigue el diálogo / Desincronización / Demora
  • Fidelidad / Errores / Errores de ortografía / La traducción es incorrecta / Se abrevia lo que se dijo
  • Posición en la pantalla / Bloquea la imagen o pantalla / Cubre los gráficos / Cubre los rostros de las personas que hablan
  • Fidelidad durante los eventos en vivo
  • Closed caption análogo en televisores de alta definición (HDTV) emitidos en canales sin alta definición
  • No se puede ver en algunos fondos de la pantalla
  • Fuente difícil de leer / Legibilidad del texto / Tamaño de la letra
  • No todo tiene closed caption
  • Uso del menú para apagar y encender el closed caption
  • Secuencia difícil de seguir (muy rápida) / Difícil de leer
  • Formato inconsistente
  • Calidad inconsistente
  • Distrae la atención
  • Closed caption en vivo con formatos estándar utilizados en programas pregrabados
  • Mala calidad
  • Disponibilidad en alta definición 
  • No me gusta el closed caption en roll-up
  • Ninguno

 

Al parecer quienes utilizan el closed caption desean tener una calidad más consistente.

 

Pregunta #6: ¿Porqué no utiliza el closed caption?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 61% de los encuestados (209 personas).

 

Resultados: Respuestas concisas

 

He aquí las principales respuestas de algunos encuestados:

  • Puedo oír / No soy sordo o no tengo problemas de audición
  • SÍ los uso
  • No los necesito
  • No vivo en los EE.UU.
  • No soporto la demora
  • Difícil de leer / Muy rápido
  • No tengo la opción en mi TV
  • Escucho bien y hablo inglés
  • No tengo TV por cable
  • Es perjudicial y molesto
  • Interrumpe la acción en los deportes
  • Si hay muchos errores, los apago o cambio de canal

 

Pregunta #7: ¿Cómo mejoraría el closed caption para usted?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 59% de los encuestados (204 personas).

 

Resultados: Respuestas concisas

 

He aquí las principales respuestas de algunos encuestados:

  • Nada
  • Disponibles en más programas
  • Una sección separada de la pantalla principal / Si no cubre la imagen
  • Una forma para recapturarlos en el DVR
  • Disponibilidad para seleccionarlos donde aparece en la pantalla
  • Disponibilidad para utilizarlos en los programas en Internet
  • Sistema de closed caption en mayúsculas y minúsculas
  • Anotaciones para saber quién habla
  • Mejor calidad / Fidelidad / Tiempo / Consistencia
  • Mejor fuente
  • Facilidad para leer
  • Mejores subtituladores y editores electrónicos
  • Interfaz de usuario personalizado (color/fuente/posición)
  • Diferentes fuentes y colores para cada persona
  • Fácil manejo de apagado y encendido
  • Eliminar el diálogo innecesario
  • Todo en estilo pop-on y sin closed caption en roll-up
  • Más parecido a las pantallas de tipo Karaoke
  • Libertad para la creatividad / Producción de closed caption no tan cara
  • Si pudiera simplificarse para los productores de TV
  • Si más lugares públicos utilizaran el closed caption
  • Más estandarizado
  • Mandatos más rigurosos de la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC)
  • Mover la caja rectangular de los eventos deportivos (no cubrir la puntuación)
  • Si un solo archivo de closed caption pudiera servir para todos los medios

Pregunta #8: ¿Sabes cómo trabaja el closed caption?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 100% de los encuestados (345 personas).

 

Resultados: 

 

78% (269 personas) dijo saber como funciona el closed caption.

22% (76 personas) dijo NO saber como funciona el closed caption.

 

Pregunta #9: ¿Sabe cómo desplegar el closed caption en su televisor?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 100% de los encuestados (345 personas).

 

Resultados: 

 

90% (309 personas) dijo saber como desplegar el closed caption en su TV.

22% (36 personas) dijo NO saber como desplegar el closed caption en su TV.

 

Pregunta #10: Si el programa no cuenta con closed caption, ¿le impide verlo?

 

¿Quiénes respondieron?: 99% de los encuestados (341 personas).

 

Resultados: 

 

10% (34 personas) dijo que le impediría ver el programa.

90% (307 personas) dijo que NO le impediría ver el programa.

 

Más comentarios de los encuestados:

  • Es muy importante que los programas para niños tengan closed caption.
  • El contenido del video de internet debería tener la opción de closed caption.
  • Las cadenas de TV deberían monitorear la calidad del closed caption.
  • La gente me comenta con frecuencia sobre las erratas.
  • Que el mercado del closed caption sea como el deporte: ¡es bueno para todos!
  • Se necesitan más closed captions en los cines.
  • Se necesita estandarizar el closed caption off-line.
  • Debería haber opciones de lenguaje múltiple para el closed caption.
  • Me gustaría ver el closed caption en español e inglés al mismo tiempo.
  • Algunas cajas de TV por cable no ofrecen closed captions.
  • Algunas guías dicen que un programa se ve con closed captions cuando no lo ofrece.
  • He hablado con muchas personas que piensan que la calidad del closed caption es mala.
  • El closed caption es bastante útil en lugares públicos para las personas que no son sordas.
  • ¡Entre más viejas se hacen las personas nacidas en los años sesentas, más necesitamos el sistema de closed caption!
  • El software para el sistema de closed caption es demasiado caro.
  • Encuentro el closed caption muy útil para las personas que no hablan inglés y aprendan el idioma.
  • Deseo que las descargas de las películas a petición tuvieran closed captions.
  • ¡Es un servicio fantástico!
  • Se pasan por alto en los comerciales.
  • ¡La televisión de alta definición necesita el sistema de closed caption!

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/12/los-resultados-de-la-encuesta-acerca-del-sistema-de-closed-caption/feed/ 0 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/12/los-resultados-de-la-encuesta-acerca-del-sistema-de-closed-caption/ Streamlining International Corporate Training: Subtitling Corporate Training Videos http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/qRi0pl3zDBU/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/05/streamlining-international-corporate-training-subtitling-corporate-training-videos/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:18:24 +0000 Joanna http://www.abercap.com/blog/?p=231 Do you ever wonder how international businesses keep their branches in different countries on the same page with the same goals, visions, and company outlook?  Well, there are many ways this is done, but one simple way is the use of corporate training videos … subtitled in multiple languages.  This is a manageable and cost effective way for companies across the globe to communicate selling techniques, company updates, new product releases, safety training, and company outlook and vision just to name a few.

Most multi-national corporations either have their own production department or they outsource to post-production houses specializing in the creation of corporate training videos.  Usually each post-production house specializes in a sector, for example, retail or construction.

Commonly, these post-productions companies will outsource to a subtitling company to create the translated subtitles for their corporate training videos.  Subtitling companies specialize in subtitling multiple languages, even exotic and not-so common languages, that is often too much of a hassle for the post-production house to handle.

The complicated part about translating corporate training videos is, for one, the industry-specific jargon.  The translator will usually be provided with a company-specific lexicon for the given language.  For example, a product might have the name, “Super-duper AirTight Duffel” but in Japanese there is no product name.  The multinational corporation will need to decide whether they want to keep product names in English or if they want the translator to create equivalent names in their respective language.  It is common for large multinational corporations to have teams of translators in multiple countries who, among other things, dedicate themselves to these types of issues.  In this case, the subtitling company will use the clients’ translations to do the subtitling.

Creating DVD or Blu-ray Disc subtitles is not as simple as putting a translation into a software and spitting out files.  It takes adaptation for subtitles, timing and placement of the subtitles, as well as special subtitling software capable of exporting files for DVD or Blu-ray Disc, like specially formatted .stl files, .son files, .xml files, .txt files, .srt files to name a few.  These file types are often accompanied by .tif images.  These files are later ingested into the client’s or post-production house’s DVD or Blu-ray Disc authoring system and added to the DVD or Blu-ray Disc menu.

One thing I have learned from subtitling thousands of corporate training videos, is that when we are handling the translation, to always, without fail, get the translation and the subtitles proofed by the client.  What we tell the company’s international branches via translated subtitles is very crucial to the company’s bottom line abroad, and making a mistake with one sentence or even one word could compromise the progress of the overall training.  Successful translation and subtitling of corporate training videos comes down to having all the available lexicons from the client, a translator who specializes in the sector (retail, construction, hospitality, et cetera), a proofer who also specializes in the given sector, and a final client proof of the subtitles.

All in all, international companies have found the importance of creating video for training employees abroad, and with these videos the easiest and most cost-effective way to adapt the video for multiple countries at one time is by the addition of multi-language subtitles.

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/05/streamlining-international-corporate-training-subtitling-corporate-training-videos/feed/ 0 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/08/05/streamlining-international-corporate-training-subtitling-corporate-training-videos/ Take Our 10-Question Closed Captioning Survey http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/CGwY-1OZOMI/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/07/06/take-our-10-question-closed-captioning-survey/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:19:12 +0000 Joanna http://www.abercap.com/blog/?p=222 If you have a minute or two, please take our quick, 10-question survey about closed-captioning.

Thank you for your help in advance!

Here is the link to the survey:

Closed Captioning Survey

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/07/06/take-our-10-question-closed-captioning-survey/feed/ 2 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/07/06/take-our-10-question-closed-captioning-survey/ Find Out if NLEdirect (Tapeless) Captioning is Right For You and Your SD Video http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClosedCaptioningBlog/~3/0LUkg_4eJcE/ http://abercap.com/blog/2009/06/24/find-out-if-nledirect-tapeless-captioning-right-for-you-and-your-sd-video/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:42:36 +0000 Joanna http://www.abercap.com/blog/?p=219 Captioning without having to send tapes back and forth sounds enticing, but you are probably wondering how NLE (tapeless) captioning works and if it is the captioning solution for you. The first question you need to ask yourself, is, “Am I editing in standard definition?”  If your answer is “yes” then this article was written for you.  For NLEdirect HD captioning info read this.   Standard definition has 480 lines of video and 6 extra lines of data, totaling 486 lines.  The closed captioning data is placed on the data line 0, 1, or 2. 

The next question you ask is, “Do I have a video card or break-out box that came with my editing system’s software?”  If your answer is “no,” you must buy a video card or break-out box through a third party vendor.  The cost can be anywhere from $1000-$3000 depending on the manufacturer.  For example, Matrox MXO2 costs $1500 and AJA Kona 3 costs $3000. The video card is to be attached to your computer and functions as encoder.  When you output to tape, your NLE system maps the closed caption information from row 0, 1, or 2 encodes it to to your tape.   For example, all Avid editing systems come with cards, but Final Cut Pro does not include a card with its software.  If you are using firewire to output to tape, you cannot do NLE (tapeless) captioning.  Why?  Because the 6 lines of data get stripped, removing the caption data. The editing software package that you use is usually not the issue, but rather the hardware path used to get the video off your system and onto the tape. Some hardware boards/break-out boxes will ignore the caption data.  You can call your captioning company for a test file to see if your break-out box supports NLE (tapeless) captioning.

If you want to do NLE (tapeless) captioning you must ensure that you have the tape deck(s) that your station(s) require. If not, you may want your captioning company to record a different tape format than your original master.  If you don’t have the needed tape deck and you still want to do NLE (tapeless) captioning, your only option is to buy a tape deck.

If you are editing in standard definition, you have a break-out box or video card, and you have the appropriate tape deck, you can consider yourself a candidate for SD NLE (tapeless) captioning, captioning directly onto your editing system.  The NLE (tapeless) captioning process begins by posting a compressed video of your entire program from start to finish to your captioning company’s FTP site.  After they complete the captioning process, they will e-mail you a caption file, which is normally a compressed black QuickTime or AVI video that is either a picture-in-picture effect (alpha channel overlay) or crop effect (you must crop the video).   They can match the codec you are using so you do not have to re-render your project.  You then take this video and lay it on another video track in your project.  You must ensure the captions match the video by doing a 3 point check while viewing the captions as the video is played out of your editing system.  From here, you output your entire project–with captions included–to tape! Captions are created because two of the video’s lines are merged with your video program material.  When you output to tape, your NLE system maps the closed caption information to your tape.  There you have it–no shipping tapes, fast turnaround time, and a first generation quality closed captioned master!

]]> http://abercap.com/blog/2009/06/24/find-out-if-nledirect-tapeless-captioning-right-for-you-and-your-sd-video/feed/ 0 http://abercap.com/blog/2009/06/24/find-out-if-nledirect-tapeless-captioning-right-for-you-and-your-sd-video/