1. Captioning Podcasts & Digital Media
Jayme Johnson
High Tech Center Training Unit

2. Presentation Overview
Definitions
Captioning & accessibility basics
Digital video formats
Captioning concerns
Overview of captioning tools
Process overview

3. What is a Podcast? More than Apple’s Influence
Digital Content on Website
RSS Feed
User-centered Distribution
Basically, a podcast is any digital content that is distributed over the Internet via an RSS feed. RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication”, and allows for the end user to determine when and how information will be received, unlike joining an discussion list, where you are just bombarded with information whenever someone sends it to the list. Perhaps the most important concept about podcasting is how the user is in control of the process.

4. Definitions 1 Open vs. Closed Captions Subtitles vs. Captions
Open Captions are always on.
Closed Captions can be turned off or on.
Subtitles vs. Captions
Subtitles provide translations of dialog.
Captions are in same language being spoken, and cover ALL audio content.
The primary difference between captions and subtitles is that captions are always in the native language while subtitles are typically a translation. Captions also include sound effects and other audio information that is relevant to the story, while subtitles do not.
The difference between Open and Closed Captions is that OPEN Captions are ALWAYS ON, while CLOSED Captions can be turned ON or OFF.

5. Definitions 2 Line 21 & Decoders
Traditional captions reside in an analog signal known as Line 21. A special decoder must be built into your TV for captions to display.
Most computer monitors are not required to have a closed caption decoder.
Digital captions come in many varieties depending on the source format of the video file (.avi, .mov, .mpg, etc.)
There is significant difference between the captions from broadcast television and the video that is distributed via the Web. In either case, it is important to verify that the technology needed to support playback of the captions is available to the student.

6. Definitions 3 SAMI and SMIL Quicktime Text
Two examples of digital captioning files. These two files coordinate the synchronous display of captions with audio at the appropriate time.
Quicktime Text
A different flavor of digital caption file, specific to the Quicktime media format. Quicktime text can be searchable.
Captioning technologies for web-based video come in several different varieties, but the overall concept is the same: the synchronization of audio content with visual content.
The Quicktime format offers interesting capabilities in that it is playable on both Mac and Windows OS, and it can be used to create keyword-searchable video.

7. Why Captions Work 1 Captions vs. Transcripts Dialogue vs. Descriptions
Captions allow the viewer to watch other action on screen and get the “whole picture”. Transcripts divide and divert attention, increasing cognitive load.
Dialogue vs. Descriptions
Mayer’s Multimedia Theory
Paivio’s Dual-Coding Theory
Captions work because they combine multiple presentation modes of information, which provides a more powerful learning experience. As opposed to a transcript, captions provide less of a distraction and allow for more efficient learning.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on in regards to captioning educational materials…

8. Why Captions Work 2 Dialogue vs. Descriptions
Sometimes there is critical audio information that might not be transcribed with the dialogue. It is important to include ALL significant audio information.
Many times people will ask if a transcript is just as good as having captions, and the answer is always no. Besides the very important issue of diverting the attention of the viewer, there is the fact that important information in the audio track might not be captured as part of a transcript, which typically focuses on capturing the spoken dialog.

9. Why Captions Work 3 Paivio’s Dual-Coding Theory
States that combining verbal and non- verbal information enhances learning.
Mayer’s Multimedia Theory
Further defines the relationship between verbal and non-verbal media for learning.
The work of psychologist Allan Paivio stated that providing multiple streams of information as verbal and non-verbal can reinforce the learning experience. (
Psychologist Richard Mayer went on to demonstrate how excessive streams of information can create cognitive overload, especially in individuals with profound learning difficulties. Further work has been done to explore the relationship between captions and the educational process, indicating that captioning generally improves cognition for most individuals. (

10. Enhancing Accessibility
Overview:
General considerations
Design to media or player?
Video formats
Captioning considerations
When enhancing accessibility, there are a handful of typical concerns: General support and resources for production and maintenance of media on the Web, the issue of whether to design to a specific playback device or software application or to design for a specific media format, and the issues surrounding different video formats and the related captioning considerations.
There’s a lot to cover here…

11. General Considerations
Audio & Video authoring tools
Legal Considerations
Copyright, Sect 508, ADA, Institutional Policies
Scalability
Archives, Timeliness, Meta-information
Logistical Support
While there are one-man shows making podcasts and digital video, it is generally much easier to produce this type of content when you have some assistance. In any case, make sure you are using the best tools available to you and your institution.
It is also important to recognize that copyright does apply to podcasting, as well as all the laws requiring access to information and services.
Consider the length and format of your digital content, have you taken advantage of the technology to maximize its effectiveness as a communications medium?
If you are working with other people or departments, it is important to make sure there is common understanding of the tools being used, and the media format(s) you want to distribute. Remember that working nicely with others can be a tremendous asset in producing and publishing podcasts and digital video.

12. Design Focus Media vs. Player Fixing other people’s video
Software vs. Hardware
Windows vs. Mac
Streaming vs. Download
It is recommended that you design to a media format rather than a media player.
Fixing other people’s video
Best practices for multimedia
Generally, it is advisable to design towards a media format that is playable across many types of technology. Quicktime is a good example of a video format that can be played on Mac and Windows systems, as well as a variety of portable devices, either as a streaming video or as a download.
Of course, you might need some tools to fix other people’s video. Often this sort of situation can be avoided by making sure everyone on the team is sufficiently trained and organized, working according to the best practices for producing multimedia.

13. Video Formats Quicktime: Flash: Windows: .MKV (h.264) .MPEG, .MP4 .MOV
.FLV (adobe flash)
.SWF (shockwave flash)
Windows:
.AVI
.WMV
These are some examples of common digital video formats. All of these are playable on Mac and Windows systems, assuming the proper playback software has been installed.

14. Audio Considerations File Size Navigability
Encoding Rate
Page/Chapter per file
Navigability
Naming scheme
Enhancing access via ID3 tags
Transcript should always accompany
Basic considerations for audio will prevent headaches later on, as well as provide efficient and easy download and listening options for your students. Pay attention to the length of files, and the naming scheme. Remember that sometimes the student will be playing the content through a portable player with a small screen that might not display all the file information.
Even if you know how to embed a transcript in an audio file, you should also provide the transcript as a separate downloadable file.

15. Video Considerations File Size Open vs. Closed Captions
Format-dependent
Total pixel dimensions (320x240, 640x480)
Scalable delivery options
Open vs. Closed Captions
Playback Context
Time-coded transcript enables video searching.
Basic considerations for video production are much the same as for audio production.
Always remember the playback context of your students, and ensure that there is a method for turning the captions on or off.

16. Captioning Considerations
Caption display issue
Available?
Turn off and on?
Tools for captioning web based video
Quicktime Pro allows for both Line 21 and digital captioning formats.
It can be surprising how many people can’t turn captions on or off on their television, not to mention web-based video. Make sure you can help your students accomplish this!
Generally, the free tools for captioning are not very reliable or user-friendly. It is true with captioning tools that “You get what you pay for”. However, if you are determined, patient, and somewhat lucky, you can accomplish adequate captioning with free tools as well.
One interesting feature of the Quicktime format is that it allows for support of the traditional line 21 captions from broadcast television. However, you need to be using a Mac OS system and workflow to take advantage of this capability.

17. Captioning Format Issues
Line 21 vs. Digital
Size of screen real estate
1 or 2 lines?
Font size & font face (14 & Sans Serif)
Background size (18 & black)
Graphic overlays and positioning
Color schemes
In traditional (line 21) captions, the formatting was locked down to no more than 32 characters per line. In the digital world, you can sometimes specify many more characters per line. While you may have more creative freedom, it is important to recognize the need for clear and effective communication. Using 14 pt white font on an 18 point black background typically yields good results, even on small portable video players like an iPod.

18. Line 21 and Quicktime Line 21 and Quicktime
Currently available only for Mac OS
Requires Compressor or Quicktime
SCC file required
Retains formatting of SCC file
Other Line 21 transfer options
Caption Keeper (Mac Only):
Sony Media Converter (discontinued)
Sometimes available through Ebay or Amazon
One of the benefits of capturing line 21 captions is that you don’t have to spend the time to reformat the captions. This can be especially helpful if converting an archive of old VHS tapes.

19. Caption File Formats
Quicktime Text: Allows for multiple tracks of digital information. Can be made searchable.
SMIL: Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language. A W3C specification for the synchronized display of digital media with captions and other content.
SAMI: Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange. For Microsoft Windows Media Player.
Line 21: The format used in traditional broadcast television and VHS production.
These are some of the more common captioning file formats.

20. Subtitle Formats .SUB: SubViewer 2.0 .SRT: SubRipper
.FAB: Graphic based subtitles
.SSF: Structured Subtitle Format
.TTXT: MPEG-4 Timed Text
And the list goes on...
There are many, many, different subtitle formats available. There is a free tool that allows you to open and convert most of these file formats, called Subtitle Workshop ( ).

21. Caption/Subtitle Structures
Core structural components
Time Code
Text
Video Time Code
* HH - Hours starting at 00
* MM - Minutes (00-59)
* SS - Seconds (00-59)
* FS - Fractional Seconds (0-999)
Text (# of lines, line spaces, line #’s)
There are two basic components of any subtitle or caption file, the caption information, and the timing information for when the captions should be displayed. Typically, this time information is represented in video time code format.
Sometimes an indicator of the text line will be included as well.

22. Subtitle File Example 1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,000
Closed Captioned by Sumdude Productions, March 15, 2009 2
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:02,000
Intro Music 3
00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:03,000
Welcome to today's video presentation of something interesting 4
00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:04,000
happening somewhere in the world today. 5
00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:05,000
Today's show features several interesting things that may be 6
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:06,000
happening somewhere near you.
This is a sample of a subtitle file.

23. Captioning Tools Adobe CS4 Encore: www.adobe.com
MacCaption & CPC Caption Maker:
NCAM/CC for Flash:
Hi-Caption Studio:
MAGpie:
Macaw:
Subtitle Workshop:
Here are some applications that can help you with captioning of digital media.

24. Process Overview Create transcript Seek permissions Format captions
Captioning Key
Time sync captions
Save time synced captions
Combine captions with digital file
Whatever the tools you are using, this is the basic process.

25. Majority Rules Podcast Video Formats Flash Video Formats
AVI, Quicktime (h264, MPEG, MOV)
Flash Video Formats
FLV, SWF
YouTube Video Formats
.3GP (cell phones) + all of the above
These are likely to be the majority of video file formats you will deal with, however, there is always the chance some exotic or new format might show up on your desk.

26. SAMI Captioning Example
<HEAD>
<STYLE TYPE="Text/css">
<!--
P {margin-left: 29pt; margin-right: 29pt; font-size: 24pt; text-align: center; font- family: Tahoma; font-weight: bold; color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #000000;}
.SUBTTL {Name: 'Subtitles'; Lang: en-US; SAMIType: CC;}
-->
</STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<SYNC START=0>
<P CLASS=SUBTTL>Closed Captioned by Sumdude Productions, March 15, 2009
<SYNC START=1000>
<P CLASS=SUBTTL> 
<SYNC START=1001>
<P CLASS=SUBTTL>Intro Music
Sample SAMI file.

27. Quicktime Caption Example
{QTtext} {font:Tahoma}
{plain} {size:20}
{timeScale:30}
{width:160} {height:32}
{timeStamps:absolute} {language:0}
[00:00:00.00]
Closed Captioned by Sumdude Productions, March 15, 2009
[00:00:01.00]
Intro Music
[00:00:02.00]
Welcome to today's video presentation of something interesting
[00:00:03.00]
Sample Quicktime file.

28. YouTube Captioning 00:00:06.500,00:00:08.200 [Herb, YouTuber]
This video demonstrates closed captions.
00:00:08.300,00:00:11.000
To turn on captions, click on the icon over here.
00:00:12.500,00:00:16.400
[Greg, Deaf Singer]
Back when the Internet was first established, deaf people had a
great time with it.
00:00:16.500,00:00:18.500
Everything was readable.
Then ...
Sample Youtube caption file

29. YouTube Process
1. Mouse over the 'Account' link in the upper right corner of every page.
2. Click 'My Videos'. You will then be directed to a page showing your uploaded videos.
3. Find the video to which you'd like to add captions/subtitles, then click the 'Edit' button.
4. Click the 'Captions and Subtitles' link in the menu bar.
5. Click the 'Browse' button and find the caption/subtitle file to upload. Additional options will appear. Select the appropriate language. If you wish, you can also enter a track name.
6. Click the 'Upload' button.
Source:
This is the basic process for adding captions to a YouTube video that you have uploaded.

30. YouTube: Still More Copyright applies to YouTube!
When you don’t own the video:
Overstream.net:
Dotsub.com:
Subtitle Horse:
Easy YouTube Caption Creator: caption-creator/
Get paid to add captions to YouTube videos with TubeCaption:
More information about adding captions to YouTube video.

31. At the end of the day...
Determine your budget and resources (including skill).
Pick a format
Pick a tool
Follow best practices
Happy captioning!
The best simple advice: Know what and who you are working with, establish a systematic workflow that incorporates the best practices for media production, and your students will enjoy the benefits of effective captioning.

32. Resources
NCAM Accessible Multimedia Guidelines:
WebAIM Web Captioning Resource List:
Real Networks Documentation Library:
Subtitle Workshop:
Joe Clark’s Best Practices in Captioning:
Described and Captioned Media Program:
YouTube Captions and Subtitle Information:
Media Access Group at WGBH:
FLASH Accessibility Design Guidelines:
High Tech Center Training Unit:
Jayme Johnson