The Art of Captioning

As in art, real-time captioning can be defined as the skillful application of correct knowledge to the order of making. For us, the journey for knowledge begins prior to each and every show that we cover. Quality captioning does not just happen; it is an art form that takes years and years of training, coupled with continued learning to produce captions that are worthy of public display.

So how do we deliver these captions to your TV?

The process is rather involved, yet simple. We begin by researching the show topics and content, hosts and guests to make sure that our captioners are prepared for anything that might be discussed during a given show. After our research has been concluded, the captioner then enters any missing information into their steno dictionaries and prepares to go to air!

To view the show that we are covering, we receive a satellite or local cable feed of the program, or we use an audio feed if neither of the first two options are available. The captioner then listens to the program as it is being aired and simultaneously writes the spoken word on a court reporter's steno machine at speeds upwards of 250 words per minute at an accuracy level of 99% or higher.

In order to transmit the data to the broadcast studio location, we have to first convert the steno to comprehensible text. The steno machine is connected to a computer that takes each steno stroke and translates it by the captioner's user-defined dictionary (just like a French-to-English dictionary), and the translated word is then sent to the modem. The modem is connected to an encoder at the broadcast location. The modem then sends the text through the telephone line to the encoder at the studio, which in turn inserts each word into line 21 of the broadcast feed. This encoded text feed is then sent out with the broadcast to the viewing audience.

In order to view the captions, you must have a TV equipped with a caption decoder or a separate device that will open line 21 on your TV. Despite the relatively lengthy process, all of this takes place with only a two- or three-second delay to the viewer.