What Are Closed Captions?
Closed captions are text versions of spoken dialogue and sound effects that appear onscreen during a video or television program. They are usually displayed at the bottom of the screen in a small font and are designed to help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing follow along with the audio. Closed captions can also be used by viewers who don't understand the language of the program, or who are in a noisy environment and need to read the dialogue to understand what is happening.
What Are the Benefits of Closed Captions?
Closed captions have a number of benefits for viewers. For those with hearing impairments, they provide access to audio content that they would otherwise be unable to enjoy. For those who don't understand the language of the program, they provide a way to follow along with the dialogue. And for those in noisy environments, they provide a way to understand what is happening without having to turn up the volume.
How Are Closed Captions Created?
Closed captions are created by a process known as captioning. This involves transcribing the audio of a program into text, which is then displayed onscreen. Captioners must be highly skilled and have a good understanding of the language of the program, as well as the ability to type quickly and accurately.
Are Closed Captions Required by Law?
Yes, in many countries, closed captions are required by law. In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all video content be captioned for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also requires that all television programs be captioned.
How Can I Add Closed Captions to My Videos?
Adding closed captions to your videos is relatively easy. You can either hire a professional captioner to create the captions for you, or you can use a captioning software program to do it yourself. There are also a number of online services that offer captioning services.
Are Closed Captions Expensive?
The cost of closed captions can vary depending on the length of the video and the complexity of the audio. Generally, captioning services will charge a per-minute rate for their services. However, there are also a number of free and low-cost captioning services available.
Are Closed Captions Accurate?
Yes, closed captions are generally very accurate. Professional captioners are highly skilled and have a good understanding of the language of the program. They are also required to adhere to strict standards of accuracy.
Are Closed Captions Searchable?
Yes, closed captions are searchable. This means that viewers can search for specific words or phrases within a video, making it easier to find the content they are looking for.
Conclusion
Closed captions are text versions of spoken dialogue and sound effects that appear onscreen during a video or television program. They are designed to help viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing follow along with the audio, as well as those who don't understand the language of the program or who are in a noisy environment. Closed captions are required by law in many countries, and they can be added to videos relatively easily. They are also generally very accurate and searchable, making them a valuable tool for viewers.
