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Going to School in Broadcast Engineering
By Vicki W. Kipp June 2, 2023 We are grappling with how to recruit new broadcast engineers to replace us so we can retire. As broadcast engineers, that means being prepared. We want to find and train our replacement. But there is a dire shortage of new broadcast engineers. Until a decade or two ago,… Continue reading
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Closed Captioning Standards: SMPTE 334 vs. SMPTE 436M Explained
MPTE 334 and SMPTE 436M are both standards related to closed captions in digital video. However, they serve different purposes and have distinct specifications. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two: SMPTE 334: SMPTE 334, also known as “Carriage of CEA-708 Closed Caption Data in Consumer Electronics Devices,” specifies the method for carrying… Continue reading
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When your live captioner leaves you hanging…
The live captioner canceled on us at the last minute because their “caption hardware stopped working.” Our captioning agency was not able to find another captioner until our live-from-tape program aired live tonight. The caption agency was apologetic. Live captioners are in high demand and low supply. Any captioner that might have been available… Continue reading
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Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl and PBS develop Audio Description (AD) service
1964 Chet Avery, a U.S. Department of Education administrator who is blind suggests describing educational media. 1981 Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl invented first ongoing audio description service for adults attending live theater. Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl trained volunteers to audio describe the PBS series “American Playhouse.” 1984 NTSC adopts MTS / SAP for new TVs. 1985-86 WGBH… Continue reading
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Wisconsin Hometown Stories – Appleton
April 24, 2023 https://www.pbs.org/video/wisconsin-hometown-stories-appleton-phludh/ Continue reading
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So, you want to be a Post-Production Offline Captioner
Obviously, you do. Don’t we all? Here are some valuable skills to have for post-production closed captioning: _ Ability to memorize and follow the DCMP’s Captioning Key style guide. _ Ability to follow AP Style. _ Awesome at proper punctuation. _ Ability to always spell words correctly– especially proper nouns– by spellchecking, researching, and verifying.… Continue reading
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The SCC reader in me!
Best website ever about the mechanics of SCC caption files http://www.theneitherworld.com/mcpoodle/SCC_TOOLS/DOCS/CC_CHARS.HTML Here is a repost of the Neitherworld’s invaluable content about character codes. Closed Caption Disassembly Documentation: Characters The Closed Caption Character Set is divided into three classes: Standard Characters, Special Characters, and Extended Characters. There are two exceptions: “_” and “£” (note that these… Continue reading
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Mangled SCC files and decoder rings
00:21:34;18 94ae 94ae 9420 9420 9454 9454 It’s for | ef small 0 | f2 small r | | 9470 Position cursor at row 15, column 00, with plain white text. | 9470 Position cursor at row 15, column 00, with plain white text. | 9723 9723 7361 |f468 small t | e5f2 small r… Continue reading
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OTT Online Platforms’ Caption Formats
Caption File Formats While broadcast caption files are embedded in the video, Internet captions are sidecar files that get uploaded after the video is. IP platforms use many caption formats. The hexadecimal SCC Line 21 caption format carries a timed transcript with formatting and positioning. DXFP, SRT, SVB, and VTT captions are human-readable. Internet Closed… Continue reading
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Broadcast Engineering Badges with Scouts BSA
By Vicki W. KippSociety of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) Chapter 24 NewsletterMarch 1, 2023 The organization we knew as ‘Boy Scouts’ in our youth is now called ‘Scouts BSA.’ Starting in 2019, girls are allowed to join Scouts BSA troops and earn badges. There are separate boys’ troops and girls’ troops. Did you know that Scouts… Continue reading
About Me
Hello there! My name is Vicki Kipp, and I am a closed caption maker. Making closed captions is time consuming and complicated, so this blog is a collection of all of the knowledge and experiences I have gained. I hope my collection of tips and tricks might help you with your closed caption work the way it has helped me!
Recent Posts
- FCC Website Requirement: FCC Applications Link/Page
- Engineering Perspective: Closed Captioning Broadcast Engineering Videos
- Comments on FCC Docket No. 16-142_ Authorizing Permissive Use of the Next Generation Broadcast Television Standard
- How to Replace a Transmission Line Watchband Spring
- Netflix Subtitle Style Guide 2024