Closed captioning is a process that takes the audio from a television program or movie and turns it into text. This text can then be displayed on the screen, usually in a box below the video.
Closed captioning is used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand what is being said on TV. But how is closed captioning created? Let’s find out.
What Is Closed Captioning?
Closed captioning is a text display that shows the dialog of a movie, television program, or other production. It is usually available as an on-screen display, but can also be provided as a separate file that can be viewed using special software.
The text is typically synchronized with the audio track of the production, making it easy for viewers to follow along. Closed captioning is an important tool for making productions accessible to viewers with hearing impairments.
It can also be useful for viewers who are watching in a noisy environment or for those who speak a different language from the production’s audio track. Closed captioning is typically created by transcribing the audio track of production and then syncing the text with the video.
This process can be done manually or using closed captioning services. Once the text has been created, it can be added to the video using several different methods, such as hard-coding, embedding, or burn-in. Closed captioning can be an important part of making digital content accessible to all viewers.
Is Closed Captioning Done by Computer?
Most people believe that closed captioning is automatically generated by a computer, but this is not always the case. In some instances, closed captioning is created by a human transcriber who types out the dialogue and sound effects as they hear them.
This type of captioning is often used for live events, such as news broadcasts or sporting events. However, computer-generated captioning is becoming more and more common, especially for pre-recorded shows and movies.
This type of captioning uses speech recognition software to transcribe the audio and then display the text on the screen. While computer-generated captioning is often less accurate than human-created captioning, it is much faster and less expensive to produce.
How Accurate Is It?
While closed captioning is generally quite accurate, there are some potential limitations to consider. First, because it is a written representation of the audio, it may omit important nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions or body language.
Additionally, closed captioning is produced by transcribing the audio track of a program, which means it is subject to human error. As a result, there may be occasional mistakes in the text. Overall, however, closed captioning is an effective way to provide access to television and another video for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Types of Closed Captioning
-Manual captioning: This type of captioning is often used for live events, such as news broadcasts or sporting events. A human transcriber types out the dialogue and sound effects as they hear them.
–Computer-generated captioning: This type of captioning uses speech recognition software to transcribe the audio and then display the text on the screen. It is becoming more common for pre-recorded shows and movies.
–Burn-in captioning: The text is “burned into” the video signal and becomes a permanent part of the picture.
–Embedded captioning: The text is encoded into the video signal and can be turned on or off by the viewer.
–Open captioning: The text is always visible and cannot be turned off.
–Real-time captioning: The text is generated and displayed in real-time, as the audio is being spoken. Live captioning is often used for live events, such as news broadcasts or speeches.
Are They Better Than Subtitles?
The debate between closed captions and subtitles is a long-standing one, with proponents on both sides. Some argue that closed captions are more accurate than subtitles, as they are produced by transcribing the audio track of a program.
Others argue that subtitles are more accessible, as they can be translated into multiple languages. Ultimately, the decision of whether to use closed captions or subtitles is a personal one.
What Does the Future Hold?
As computer technology continues to evolve, so too will the accuracy and efficiency of closed captioning. New software and hardware developments will likely result in even more accurate and faster transcriptions, making closed captioning an even more valuable tool for making video content accessible to all viewers.