At Transcription City, we offer an extensive range of services to suit the needs of our clients. An increasingly useful service is captioning and it comes in two different forms: open captioning and closed captioning. Read on to discover a little more about the options available with our closed captioning services, open captioning services and subtitling services. Find out how captions can be used creatively in media, both audio and visual.
What is the difference between Open and Closed Captioning?
Open Captioning refers to the transcription of text which is permanently embedded to video, seen automatically by all viewers. If used correctly, open captions appear in a timely manner, essentially replicating the sound of the audio recording or video. An important feature of this form of captioning service is that the use of special software for playback is not necessary. This is a much simpler method and is incredibly easy to use, therefore it is the most commonly used form of captioning. The ease of use means the service is suitable for use by the general public.
Conversely, Closed Captioning appears only when selected by the viewer; controlled through a menu option or by remote device, text is stored as an entirely separate file which can be integrated into a software programme. Users can switch the captions on and off, depending on their specific requirements, therefore making closed captions particularly versatile to use. Further benefits are that time stamps can be added to these captions, plus when videos are searched for on YouTube, the videos are more easily found.
Which forms of media use Captioning Services?
Captioning, open or closed, can be applied to a broad range of media including, web-based content, television shows, film, and music videos. Where background noise is at an increased level, captions can also be used on publicly displayed videos, such as in airports, restaurants, and health and fitness facilities.
With the ever-increasing expansion of the internet, online content commonly utilises open and closed captioning. Add to this the world of computer gaming and apps and you can see how far-reaching captioning services can be.
What does captioning mean in terms of accessibility for viewers?
Using captions instantly opens up the range of audience you can reach. Open captioning in particular, with its permanent on-screen presence, provides a viewable narrative or commentary on the action taking place. For those viewers who are deaf of hard of hearing, it includes them in the process by tailoring the videos to suit their needs. This valuable inclusion facilitates a greater understanding of the content, broadening the appeal to beyond viewers without any hearing issues.
For more information or a competitive quote for transcription services, typing services, closed captioning services, subtitling services or translation services, please contact Transcription City for assistance.
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For useful information on closed captioning services or subtitling services and how to style them on Netflix, visit this useful website.
