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Captioning Options

Offline Realtime Closed Captioning: Realtime closed captions are performed by a highly skilled stenographer called a realtime captioner. The captioner utilizes captioning software that formats the realtime text into captions and sends it via a modem or cable to an encoder.  Offline Realtime Closed Captioning is accomplished prior to broadcast utilizing captioning equipment located within your facility or our in-house captioning lab.  This is a cost-effective captioning solution for post-production projects such as paid programming.

Quick Turnaround Roll-Up Closed Captioning:  After a video production has been recorded but before it is broadcast and/or reproduced, a script is created by an offline caption editor.  The script is then imported into captioning software creating captions in a roll-up mode.  Video time codes are assigned to the captions.  The video with the captions is dubbed to a captioned dub master.  This is a value-priced captioning solution for continuing education.  Captions are highly accurate, but the presentation rate is not edited.

Offline Pop-On Closed Captioning:  After a video production has been recorded but before it is broadcast and/or reproduced, a script is created and edited by an offline caption editor.  The script is then imported into captioning software to create captions.  Video time codes are assigned to the captions.  Captions are further edited to accommodate retention and comprehension of the information being relayed in the video.  The video with the captions is dubbed to a captioned dub master.  This is the captioning option preferred by most hearing-impaired consumers.

Spanish Captioning:  Spanish-language captions generally correspond to Spanish-language programs.  Starting January 1, 2010, all new and nonexempt Spanish programming, with some exceptions, must be captioned.  After a video production has been recorded but before it is broadcast and/or reproduced, a Spanish transcription of the program is imported into captioning software by an offline caption editor.  Video time codes are assigned to the captions.  The video with the captions is dubbed to a captioned dub master.

Broadcast Realtime Closed Captioning: At the time a broadcast originates, realtime closed captions are performed by a highly skilled stenographer called a realtime captioner. Typically the remote realtime captioner is dialed into a program audio feed originating from the broadcaster’s control room.  The realtime captioner utilizes software that formats the realtime text into captions and sends it via a modem to the broadcaster’s encoder.  Broadcast Realtime Closed Captioning is appropriate for live programs such as news, sporting events, emergency coverage, debates, public awareness, etc.  Realtime text does contain errors.

Live Display Closed Captioning: After a video production has been recorded but before it is broadcast and/or reproduced, a script is created by an offline caption editor.  The script is then imported into captioning software to create captions in a roll-up mode.  At the time the broadcast originates, a caption editor remotely secures the program’s audio feed from the broadcaster’s control room and sends prepared captions via a modem to an encoder located at the broadcaster’s facility.  This captioning solution is useful for tight production times where captions need to be highly accurate.  Presentation rates vary throughout the program similar to realtime closed captioning.

Subtitling: After a video production has been recorded but before it is broadcast and/or reproduced, scripts are created and edited by an offline caption editor.  The scripts are imported into subtitling software to create subtitles.  Video time codes are assigned to those subtitles.  To accommodate subtitles for the Deaf, the subtitles can be further edited to include sound effects, speaker identification, and other nonverbal information being relayed in the video.  The video with the subtitles is dubbed to a subtitled dub master.  Subtitles are part of the video image and are always visible.  No decoding is necessary.

CART (Communication Access Realtime Translations):  CART refers to onsite or remote translations of the spoken word to text that are performed by a highly skilled stenographer, called a CART provider. CART is sometimes referred to as personal captioning.  A CART provider accesses audio while onsite at an event or from a remote location via a telephone or internet connection.  The CART provider utilizes software that formats and displays realtime text on a laptop computer screen, a projector, monitor, or Jumbotron.  Realtime text can also be displayed on the web through a number of different software solutions.  CART is appropriate for classroom settings, seminars, conventions, and meetings.  Realtime text does contain errors.  more

Still Have Questions?

Our staff is happy to assist you in determining the best captioning option to match your specific goals.  Call or email to request a quote or further information.

How to Get Your Video Captioned or Subtitled at Our Facility:  Provide a finalized master in tape or DVD format. Formats that may be submitted to CompuScripts Captioning include DVCAM; DVCAM Mini; MiniDV up to 63 minutes (standard play only); DVCPro Small; BetaSP; and linear DVDs, meaning a no-menu or an autostart DVD.

If you need Spanish-language captioning, submit a Spanish transcription/translation of the program in MS Word.  No transcriptions/translations are necessary for English-language post-produced programs that are to be captioned in English. 

Recommended Master Media Specifications:

• Bars and tones leveled on left and right channels

• Audio normalized to meet minimum broadcast requirements

• We will use your tone to zero out our audio chain. The audio levels of the media must meet minimum broadcast requirements.

• Locked picture, audio, and supers

• Video free of drops, distortions, and artifacts

• SMPTE drop frame time code

• Continuous LTC, longitudinal time code, on the time code track

• Do not send CompuScripts Captioning the only copy of your original master.  Send us a clone or dub.

CompuScripts Captioning transcribes a verbatim transcript of an English-language program and then creates a captioning file that has time code synchronization and caption placement commands.  The captions are edited according to the client’s selected service level.  Captions are subjected to a quality assurance assessment.  A captioned master is created on BetaSP or DVD-R stock.  The master tape and/or dubs are shipped according to the client’s instructions. 

CompuScripts Captioning does not provide technical evaluations. CompuScripts reserves the right to compensation for services rendered regardless of a client's adherance to CompuScripts Captioning's Master Media recommendations.

CompuScripts reserves the right to compensation for services rendered regardless of a client's adherence to CompuScripts Captioning's Master Media recommendations.

Expedited delivery schedules are available for captioning services. 

Call or email your request.  Our staff will coordinate captioning for your program or broadcast event.  Our broadcast realtime captioners and staff have a wealth of experience and expertise.

Last-minute broadcast captioning requests are subject to availability, but we will make every effort to accommodate your situation.