Closed Captioning

What is Closed Captioning?

Closed captioning is printed text on a media product to provide visual access to dialog and environmental sounds. Although primarily used to provide access to a deaf/hard of hearing person, research has shown that using closed caption technology also benefits those who use English as a second language or everyone when acoustics or tape quality are poor. Captioning remains hidden (or closed) until it is decoded by an internal chip in a television or an add-on decoder. Closed captioning is a simple accommodation that has a sweeping effect on information availability.

In UND ‘smart’ classrooms, the podium is equipped with a decoder for accessing captions for use with the ceiling projector. Instructions with color coded buttons are located in the podium stand or call CILT (7-2129) for assistance.

DSS can add captions to videos for classroom use. The process requires a minimum of 3 weeks to complete. Please contact DSS for more information (7-3425).

DVDs

DVDs will often have subtitles instead of closed captioning. Subtitles contain no environmental information (i.e. phone rings, dog barks), so present a less complete picture than captioning.

Use the on-screen menu/remote to access subtitles.

Web-based videos

To view captions on web-based videos (i.e. YouTube), the way to access the captions will vary depending on the type of media player being used.

For instructions on viewing captions for different types of media players go to: http://www.captionkit.com/switchoncaptions.php

How Do I Know if a Video tape is Captioned?

Look at the tape case or the video itself. It may have the letters "CC" or a conversation "bubble".

If you have taped something from your television, probability is high that the program itself was closed captioned and the signal is embedded in your video. You do not need to see the captioning to record it. Sometimes the only way to determine if a video is captioned is to actually view the video on a television that has captioning capabilities. DSS can check your videos for captioning (7-3425).

To check your video and/or preview videos for classroom use:

Tips:

• Use on-screen remote menu to activate captioning on videos or subtitling on DVDs.


• If captioning does not show up immediately, do not give up! Sometimes it takes a few seconds for everything to ‘kick in’.


• Captioning will NOT show up during fast forwarding or rewinding. The tape must be running at regular speed to reveal the captioning.


• If you discover captioning on an unmarked video, please mark the case for future reference. Seals to indicate a video is captioned are available at DSS.


• Inquire about captioning when ordering videos. Media production companies will respond to requests coming from consumers. Closed captioning is a simple accommodation that has a sweeping effect on information availability.


• Don't assume captioning is not on your videos. Try the video in a VCR to confirm.