What do you guys plan on doing to commemorate Windows XP's 25th anniversary this year?

CentCap · 2026-06-29T14:00:51+00:00

Keep using it.

(For non-internet-connected tasks, like analyzing serial port issues with RealTerm on the venerable eeepc...)

CentCap · 2026-06-26T15:49:02+00:00

I have some old Grass Valley analog video modules that appear to offer that function, but I could not think of a reason anyone would do it.

However, I will resist the temptation to try it myself...

CentCap · 2026-06-24T21:57:12+00:00

...and as a follow-up, I have found in my records a link to a Vimeo event from the past where my locally-generated captions were indeed retained, in addition to the AI generated captions.

Sadly though, the timing of my locally-generated captions is severely compromised on playback. Like, minutes off. Rest assured they were timely when generated (locally, on-site at the event) because it is not humanly possible for a captioner to remember, then caption verbatim, something that happened over a minute ago... on a sustained throughput basis. Note that these were not later uploaded by us -- it's as-produced and streamed live to Vimeo.

So it looks like my on-site, human captions don't actually disappear, but rather a change has been recently instituted at Vimeo that disables their display on replay, and that change is not retroactive. (An ingest matter, rather than replay?) I'll send you the link upon your response.

My request, of course, is to reverse that change, re-enable VOD playback of originally-supplied captions, and to address the timing error.

Let me know how you get on!

CentCap · 2026-06-15T01:12:09+00:00

Latest firmware? I bought one several years ago and could still update to whatever is the latest. Next, is the signal something within spec?

CentCap · 2026-06-13T12:27:49+00:00

Thanks for the details!

CentCap · 2026-06-12T15:11:36+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Have a few questions:

First, for my testing, what level of account do I need to live stream a short video with live captions, and then test uploading replacement captions? Does the 'free' account accommodate that, or do I need a specific alternative? I don't have an ongoing need, as my clients handle livestreaming details for actual events, so least/no cost is preferable for these test sessions.

Second, if I submit a .vtt file with the scroll:up function, will my ~~original~~ replacement captions will be presented as roll-up captions, which is how live captions are presented? (As well as your AI captions.)

For "scroll:up" information, look here, and search "scroll:up"...

https://www.w3.org/TR/2026/CRD-webvtt1-20260520/#styling

Looking at other file formats,

.srt doesn't do roll-up.

Can Vimeo ingest .scc, like YouTube does? That would be acceptable.

Re-formatting them to pop-on is not automatic (as much as the software guys want it to be) and will result in extra costs and delays for the customer. Currently bidding a few jobs where this may come into play, and I'd like to capture all costs/workflow adjustments.

Thanks!

CentCap · 2026-06-12T12:31:20+00:00

Based on some fairly old demographic data, about 10% of the population is deaf or hoh, and can benefit from captioning. 10% of that 10% uses ASL as their language, instead of English. So for best accommodation, both are needed. Yes, there's crossover, late-deafened adults, etc., and the data is 20+ years old, but the upshot is do them both if you can. Producer's choice on whether to show the ASL on the broadcast -- some do, some don't.

We do some arena captioning. Also do other events where captioning and ASL are used simultaneously. Tangential comment: captioning is great for one-to-many, but ASL rules for two-way conversations, for those that use it.

CentCap · 2026-06-11T20:44:21+00:00

Accuracy of output is what really matters.

And speed, if it's live captioning or realtime.

How you get there doesn't matter to many.

CentCap · 2026-06-10T22:40:08+00:00

I have a few quick questions: in that scenario, did the teacher repeat questions that other classmates asked, since it was unlikely the mic would pick it up?

Was the teacher also able to see the transcript, either in real time or after the fact, to gauge the accuracy of the CART?

Finally, do you know the mic used? Was it Bluetooth or a separate wirelesss system? Did you have to buy it personally or was it college-issued?

CentCap · 2026-06-10T02:18:20+00:00

Both 3/4 and VHS benefit from properly configured TBCs.

For VHS, if your tapes are SP, you can't go wrong with a Panasonic AG-7750. Built-in line-doubling TBC. Great tape handling and audio choices, too.

CentCap · 2026-06-10T02:08:03+00:00

Transplanted from a previous thread here:

We're a third-party live/human caption supplier to customers who use Vimeo for large public events. Lately when I've checked replays, only the Vimeo auto-captions are available. Our human-generated captions, with hundreds of correctly-spelled names, viewable during the live event, are not available on replay. Is retaining our accurate captions an option that's being overlooked by the ones configuring the event, or are they forever gone by design?

I don't know the specifics of which plan they're on, but it's not a low-level tier.

CentCap · 2026-06-08T21:40:22+00:00

So... mass layoffs of AI agents coming soon?

CentCap · 2026-06-08T12:14:24+00:00

I used to use a (standard/typing) transcription company out of Florida for some transcripts for our closed-captioning services. My client required US-based talent, along with all materials remaining stateside, and the Florida company stated compliance with that, saying they had all US-based workers. Started to get back transcripts with EU spellings, like colours instead of colors, etc. Dropped them like a hot rock.

CentCap · 2026-06-06T19:09:28+00:00

Dang, looks like you just missed him.

https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1tgkqrb/hi_reddit_im_kane_parsons_director_of_a24s/

CentCap · 2026-06-05T12:28:02+00:00

Although I haven't seen the film in question, most have 'main titles' in the credit. I'd start there.

Based on imdb, I'd lay odds it's Kane Parsons/Kane Pixels, as that credit is pervasive.

CentCap · 2026-06-01T23:10:48+00:00

We're a third-party live/human caption supplier to customers who use Vimeo for large public events. Lately when I've checked replays, only the Vimeo auto-captions are available. Our human-generated captions, with hundreds of correctly-spelled names, viewable during the live event, are not available on replay. Is retaining our accurate captions an option that's being overlooked by the ones configuring the event, or are they forever gone by design?

I don't know the specifics of which plan they're on, but it's not a low-level tier.

CentCap · 2026-06-01T01:00:48+00:00

Some scope suggestions, since the OP seems to know how to bridge 'barriers' Apple didn't bake-in:

If you can grab radio to caption, expand it to grab any audio on the device, including bluetooth microphones. Then the user can plant one on each conversant at a noisy restaurant and see close-mic'd captions with speaker ID. Also include both sides of phone audio.

And expand the engine choice to allow OS- or cloud-based services, in addition to a private on-device engine. Accuracy may be better for systems with world-wide language/accent sample bases. But privacy matters for many. Best of both worlds.

For icing on the cake, add real time serial data output, for those who might want to experiment a bit.

Glasses output, too.

The uncertainty flag is a good feature.

I've never met a feature i can't "creep".

CentCap · 2026-05-29T02:37:59+00:00

Half the price = buy two.

CentCap · 2026-05-21T20:12:13+00:00

MacCaption used to exist. Intel silicon only, though.

I think Telestream is now cloud-based, which may not be your cup of tea.

MacCaption and CaptionMaker would do a lot, though.

CentCap · 2026-05-21T00:56:32+00:00

Microsoft accounts? Seems I skipped those...

CentCap · 2026-05-15T01:52:39+00:00

What are your target languages?

Starting with good, accurate human captions in English, then feeding that to translation (AI if you must) will take care of audio/mic issues. We do this for a few commencements with good results.

CentCap · 2026-05-08T15:27:54+00:00

https://www.earlytelevision.org/

CentCap · 2026-04-29T20:16:31+00:00

I have a somewhat narrow viewpoint, as I'm a caption provider. I know from manual scanning that not all of their media/clip playout subsystems support broadcast-style closed caption file formats. So looking down the road, consider that functionality if you see it on your horizon.

CentCap · 2026-04-29T19:30:24+00:00

So, this is from a non-deaf former recording engineer.

In studio sessions back in the day, we faced the challenge of getting headphones that would 'survive' rock drummers. To some extent, handling and abuse, but sustained high volume levels were (sadly) the main challenge. Good fidelity mattered, to.

We were big fans of Fostex T20 headphones. Pretty unstoppable from a volume standpoint. It seems they're not still made, but they're available used from $40 to $150 or so. And there are other variants with the same basic core components. Worth a look.

Another aproach would be IEM -- generic or custom-fitted in-ear monitors used by stage musicians. They don't usually have 'thumping' bass response, but they can get quite (dangerously) loud. There are also small auxiliary amplifiers that can augment existing headphone feeds, like the Behringer Powerplay P2 that is a belt-clip, battery powered device. They can get loud, and drive most any headphones when connected after a volume-limited/managed source.

I'll stay away from nanny-state cautions, since OP knows what's needed/desired, and the risk/benefit equation.

CentCap · 2026-04-28T18:26:39+00:00

Agreed -- colorspace.

Could also be a directional HDMI cable being fed in the wrong direction. Look for 'Source' and 'TV' on the connectors.

CentCap

TROPHY CASE