Glossary
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) is a character encoding method that allows computers to represent text in a binary format.
Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards document the digital transmission format that will be used to replace the analog television system (NTSC) by June 2009. In addition to the ability to transmit high-definition (HD) programming, this system supports a host of different image sizes, allowing up to six standard-definition (SD) program streams to be broadcast together on a single channel.
Automatic Live Encoding (ALE) the least expensive form of offline captioning, in which captions are not synchronized with the program audio. Captions are displayed at a constant rate from the beginning of the program to the end.
Audio Video Interleave (AVI) is standard file format developed by Microsoft that can contain both audio and video. This format is popular due to its playback ability with existing video editing and playback software.
Calibration signals that precede the program (not seen by viewer) that are used to adjust audio and video signals for playback.
A family of 1/2" professional videotape designed by Sony. Many television stations accept program material delivered in Betacam SP (analog) or Digital Betacam formats.
The person responsible for turning the transcript into captions. The bulk of the offline captioning work is done by the caption editor.
The computer file that stores a program’s caption information, including text, timing and placement information. The caption file is used with an encoder to create a closed captioned master.
The encoded master that contains the captions encoded in line-21 of the VBI.
The process of converting the audio portion of a program into text that can be displayed on the screen.
A caption that gives credit to the agency that captioned the show. Generally appears at the end of a show, but may also appear after opening credits.
Commonly used to identify the on-screen graphics. Also may refer to a Character Generator, a device used to display text on-screen. In some instances, Chyron may be substituted for the term CG.
An open-captioned tape created to get the client’s final approval before encoding.
Closed Captioning (CC) is text that can be turned on or off with the use of a decoder.
A video signal that is split into two or more components. In professional video, this usually refers to three analog signals: luminance (Y) and two color components (R-Y/B-Y). Because the signals are not combined, signal clarity is much improved.
Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) usually a court reporter as well, this person is able to type in real time, on a special keypad, as a person speaks.
A shot change or edit where the video abruptly changes from one segment to another.
A device that displays the closed captioned data that is embedded in the VBI. Televisions made after July 1993 which are 13 inches or larger are required to have decoder circuitry built in; however, older or smaller televisions may require an external decoder box to display captions.
A shot change or edit where the video fades from one segment to another.
NTSC video signals don’t run at exactly 30 frames per second—their actual rate is 29.97 frames per second. Because of this slight difference, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) developed a way to compensate. By dropping numbers for the first two frames of every minute, except those ending in zero, the drop frame timecode is able to keep accurate time. It is important to note that only numbers are dropped, no actual frames of video are removed. Most TV stations require material be submitted in a drop frame format.
Making a copy of a videotape without altering it in any way. Sometimes called a “clone” if using a digital signal.
A 1/4" tape format used for recording audio and video. Many television stations accept programs delivered in this format.
A 1/4" tape format originally created by Sony and used for recording audio and video. Many television stations accept programs delivered in this format.
A 1/4" tape format originally created by Panasonic and used for recording audio and video. Many television stations accept programs delivered in this format.
The Electronic Industries Association standard of captioning NTSC programs in the United States and Canada. These standards make sure that the captions you create display the same on all TVs.
The Electronic Industries Association standard of captioning ATSC (digital) programs in the United States and Canada. This standard is similar to the EIA-608 (line 21 captions); however, this standard also allows for a larger character set and downloadable fonts.
A device that embeds closed caption data into the VBI of a video signal.
A device that embeds closed caption data into the VBI of a video signal.
A file format used to deliver audio and video over the Internet.
High-Definition (HD) a video whose resolution is higher than Standard-Definition (SD) video. Some common resolutions include: 1280x720 (720p) and 1920x1080 (1080i or 1080p)
High-Definition (HD) a video whose resolution is higher than Standard-Definition (SD) video. Some common resolutions include: 1280x720 (720p) and 1920x1080 (1080i or 1080p)
The line in the VBI where caption data is embedded.
Graphics that reside in the lower-third portion of the video picture.
The original video that is sent for captioning. The closed captioned master is made by embedding the captions into the VBI of a dub of the master.
A common audio format for consumer audio storage and playback.
Non-linear Editing (NLE) is the process in which video and audio are usually stored on a hard disk instead of tape. This process allows for quick skipping from one point to another without search time. This gives video editors the ability to quickly and easily rework edits at any point in the editing process. This term can also be used to refer to the editing machine itself. The two most widely used systems are Avid and Final Cut Pro.
NTSC video signals don’t run at exactly 30 frames per second—their actual rate is 29.97 frames per second. In non-drop frame timecode, frames are assigned numbers based on 30 frames per second. This results in an additional 108 frames (about 3 1/2 seconds) per hour. Because of this, non-drop frame timecode is a good way to count actual frames, but it is not accurate enough to calculate actual run time.
Non-linear Editing (NLE) is the process in which video and audio are usually stored on a hard disk instead of tape. This process allows for quick skipping from one point to another without search time. This gives video editors the ability to quickly and easily rework edits at any point in the editing process. This term can also be used to refer to the editing machine itself. The two most widely used systems are Avid and Final Cut Pro.
National Television System Committee (NTSC) is one of the television systems used to encode analog color television signals for broadcast in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and some other countries. For US over-the-air transmission, it was replaced by the ATSC in June 2009.
The method of captioning pre-recorded programs that yields the highest quality. This process can encompass several steps including preparing a transcript, editing the text for readability, formatting the text for the screen and timing the captions to the program’s audio. Captions can be in the form of pop-on or roll-up.
Usually used only for live events, this form of captioning is provided at the time of program origination by a Certified Realtime Reporter. Roll-up captions are always used for this type of captioning and the display of the text is usually not in sync with the audio.
Captions that are visible without using a decoder. When using open captions, the captions are permanently “burned in” the video signal.
Phase Alternation Line (PAL) is one of the television systems used to encode analog color television signals for broadcast. There are two other standards, NTSC and SECAM.
A style of captioning where a phrase or sentence pops on and off the screen all at once in sync with the audio. Special attention is paid to placement of the caption, to avoid covering graphics or faces.
Also called “read rate,” this term refers to the rate at which captions are displayed on the screen. Understanding and maintaining appropriate presentation rates is a crucial factor to the captioning process.
A member of our team who oversees the entire captioning process.
A multi-media framework developed by Apple that can contain both audio and video. This format is popular due to its playback ability with existing video editing and playback software.
A multi-media framework for media distribution created by Real Networks.
A phase in the captioning process in which details such as spellings and questionable words in the captions are verified. Online: A phase in the preparation process prior to captioning in which the captioner reviews all possible names and words that may be used in the program.
The error-checking phase where a caption editor checks his/her work to ensure quality and accuracy.
A style of captioning in which captions scroll upward in a continuous motion. As one line of text rolls up and disappears, a new line is added at the bottom. Double chevrons (>>) are used in roll-up captions to identify a new speaker. Roll-up captions are a very popular style for broadcast because it is more economical and requires less time to produce and format. Roll-up captions are always used for online captioning and sometimes for offline captioning.
Standard-Definition (SD) is a term that is usually referred to in digital television as a signal whose resolution is similar to that of an analog system. Pictures can be broadcast in 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios at various refresh rates. Although the resolution is far less than that of High-Definition (HD) video, the quality is still very satisfactory to most viewers.
Serial Digital Interface (SDI) is a digital video interface used for broadcast grade video applications.
French acronym for “Sequential Color with Memory,” it is one of the television systems used to encode analog color television signals for broadcast. There are two other standards, PAL and NTSC.
A graphic that precedes the program (not seen by viewers) listing program information such as the name of the show, length and air-date.
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
Standard-Definition (SD) is a term that is usually referred to in digital television as a signal whose resolution is similar to that of an analog system. Pictures can be broadcast in 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios at various refresh rates. Although the resolution is far less than that of High-Definition (HD) video, the quality is still very satisfactory to most viewers.
Text that is permanently affixed on-screen that represents the narration, dialogue, music, or sound effects in a program. Subtitles are usually in upper- and lower- case letters and do not appear in a black background. Sometimes subtitles are translated into another language and timed to appear in sync with the audio.
A numerical code embedded in a videotape that identifies each frame of video by hours, minutes, seconds and frames. It is essential for captioning because it gives a point of reference to sync captions to the audio.
The process of creating written text representing the audio of a program.
Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) is the top 21 lines of a video signal which aren't viewable on most TVs and are used to transmit closed captioning information and other data. The closed caption data is stored in line 21 of the VBI. There are a total of 525 lines in the NTSC television signal.
The process of adding captions to a webcast, either in realtime or on-demand.
Streaming video and audio content over the Internet. Different formats exist for webcasting, including Windows Media, Real Media, Flash and Quicktime.
A multi-media framework for media creation and distribution for Microsoft Windows.
A tape (or computer file) that is provided in place of the final master tape for the offline captioning process. This tape has a timecode window embedded in the video (typically in the upper-left corner) that exactly matches the timecode of the master. The offline captions are prepared using this tape but the master tape is used for the final encoding.
