FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
About Closed Captions
Q: What are closed captions?
A: Closed captioning is an assistive technology designed to provide access to television for persons who are hearing impaired. It is similar to subtitles in that it displays the audio portion of a television signal as printed words on the television screen. Unlike subtitles, however, closed captioning is hidden as encoded data transmitted within the television signal. In addition to conveying the spoken content of a program, closed captioning also provides information about background noise, sound effects and music. A viewer wishing to see closed captions must use a set-top decoder or a television with built-in decoder circuitry. (All 13-plus inch TV sets manufactured since 1994 feature built-in decoder circuitry.)
Q: Why should I caption my program?
A: The FCC rules require closed captions on all television programs
distributed directly to home viewers. The companies who produce
this programming, video program distributors, include local
broadcast television stations, satellite television services
and local cable television operators. In addition to meeting
federally mandated requirements, closed captioning your program
will immediately increase your viewing audience. There are more
than 25 million hearing impaired TV viewers in the US. This
figure does not account for the additional members of the household
who will watch the closed-captioned program with the deaf or
hard of hearing viewer.
Q: Why should I caption my program with Visual Data?
A: What makes us unique, and better suited to meet your needs,
is that we are both a premier post-production facility and a
knowledgeable captioning organization. We offer closed-captioning
services for both Standard Definition and High Definition.
At Visual Data Media Services, we can take your post-production
project from start to finish in one facility, with one purchase
order and with one phone call from you. Our post-production
expertise gives us a superior understanding of all issues relating
to your project. This "big-picture" perspective saves you time,
money and hassles - and delivers the highest quality product
and customer service in the business. We provide closed captioning
for all segments of television programming, including Network
Broadcast, Syndication, Cable, Home Video, Music Videos, Commercials,
Internet and virtually all other Television formats. Our veteran
staff has nearly 50 years of combined experience in closed captioning
and stays ahead of the curve in captioning technology, techniques
and standards.
Q: How do I caption my program?
A: Captioning your program is easy. Simply contact Visual Data Media Services and let us know the length of the program, the desired videotape format for the closed caption master and whether or not a script is available. Next, we will arrange to have your master tape or a protection copy shipped to our offices. We then create the closed caption file and embed it into a master copy of your tape, delivering the finished product -- a master tape containing the encoded closed captioning information on the video signal - to you, usually within 3 business days. We offer open credit accounts and also honor Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
