August 4, 2009

Closed Captioning Explained

by Adrienne Arno

Closed captioning is the process that makes it possible for people who are hearing impaired to read the dialogue on television programming by presenting the copy on the lower third of the screen. The FCC passed the first|initial|original|earliest closed caption ing regulation in 1993. This required all analog televisions with screens larger than 13 inches sold and/or manufactured in the US include a integrated decoder to display closed display. Congress followed several years later with the 1996 decision to require all video programming distributors including cable TV, broadcasters, and satellite distributors to close caption their programming.

The FCC furthered this ruling a year later with a detailed transition schedule that forced all distributors to increase|expand the amount of programming that contained captioning.Lastly, in July 2002, the FCC accepted a second law requiring digital television receivers to add closed captioning display components.

Being involved in the communications industry while working at the American Movie Company has given me a personal look at the effect these decisions have had on most studio productions. One of these effects has been how video and television productions have adapted the use of the teleprompter.

While we know why closed captioning is important, some don't realize how the teleprompter plays a key role in the delivery of closed captioning to your television. There are two branches into which closed captioning systems are divided: On-Line systems and Off-Line systems. This is when the teleprompter becomes involved.

On-Line captioning is the teleprompter-based solution commonly used by broadcasters and news stations. In this setting, pre-scripted stories are fed from the newsroom automation system to both the teleprompter and to the closed caption encoder. This information usually does not have closed caption control codes but rather depends on the encoder inside the monitor itself to insert the correct codes when an ASCII carriage return is received.

The esteem for this kind of system is based on the fact that neither a steno-captioner nor a computer with high-priced software is needed. In most instances, the teleprompter system is commonly used and closed captioning can be integrated for only the cost of the encoder.

Closed captioning is an exciting field that offers many opportunities for both the television broadcaster and the video producer. Hopefully, this introduction will help you to make informed decisions when you must select a caption service provider, procure equipment, or offer information to those who will make these choices.

Those involved in Closed Captioning for multilingual purposes also greatly appreciate the fact that structures are in place to make their job a little easier.

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