8 TVBEurope
www.tvbeurope.com August 2017
Opinion and Analysis
Three ways broadcasters can improve QC operations in the designated folders. For instance, let’s say
Closed captioning checks
a broadcaster receives files from hundreds of its
Closed captioning was developed primarily for
content providers via file transfers to a folder. All
the hearing-impaired, as well as those learning
files need to be scanned and sorted out based on
a non-native language. In Europe, the video
T
the parameters and then, depending on the type
programming distributors have standardised DVB
of the file, appropriate actions need to be taken.
subtitles. Governments have regulations that
By Penny Westlake, director, Europe, Interra Systems he broadcast industry is undergoing a radical transformation. OTT video consumption is
By utilising a QC solution with smart folders,
require video programming distributors to transmit
often fully integrated with a MAM system,
closed captions so that viewers who are deaf or
that revenues for online TV and video in Western
broadcasters can dramatically speed up this
hard of hearing have full access to programming.
Europe will more than double from $6.40 billion to
process. Smart folders offer rule-based, content-
Typically, in Europe, broadcasters and professional
$14.64 billion between 2015 and 2021. Moreover,
aware, automated QC for verifying files. With smart
producers of online content would adhere to
video is being viewed in higher resolutions. SNL
folders, the QC solution automatically recognises
the EBU-TT and EBU-TT-D specifications, although
Kagan expects more than 100 linear UHD channels
content by identifying the content structure and
often additions to the specifications are made, to
to be available by the end of 2017, and HDR-
various content characteristics, such as resolution,
increase the quality offered by a particular service.
enabled consumer devices are beginning to
frame rate, and aspect ratio. Once content is
become available on the market. Supplying a
recognised, the QC system verifies and executes
to ensure synchronous captions coincide with their
seemingly insatiable market with output to myriad
action on content as specified. This can be as
corresponding spoken words and sounds to the
devices in myriad formats inevitably means more
simple as recognising that a file is corrupt, and
greatest extent possible and are displayed on the
complex production and distribution workflows,
messaging an inbound transfer system to stop the
screen at a speed that can be read by viewers.
and these require QC solutions that can keep
transfer, or more sophisticated, such as defining
Furthermore, complete captions must run from the
pace with this fast-moving scenario.
workflow actions, perhaps identifying and sending
beginning to the end of the programme.
soaring, with Digital TV Research predicting
In today’s complex video streaming world, it’s
a file for auto-correction.
even more important for broadcasters to have
From a QC perspective, broadcasters will want
Broadcasters require a QC solution that checks closed captioning at multiple levels for presence
Guaranteed detection of embedded subtitles
of closed captions, presence of a specific type of
and provides pertinent information about what’s happening during video processing and delivery
Subtitles are a necessity in terms of enabling
of closed caption dropouts than the specified
workflow. If the quality of service suffers, consumers
viewers to watch programming in an unknown
threshold. Having a QC solution that can ignore
will look elsewhere for content.
language, as well as supporting viewers who are
music is advantageous so that false positives are
deaf or hard-of-hearing.
not reported when background music is present
an effective QC strategy – one that dives deep
Aside from choosing a QC solution that offers comprehensive checks and exceptional quality on
Within the broadcast industry, burnt-in subtitles
closed captions, and detection of a higher number
in the file for which the corresponding closed
a wide range of devices, there are several other
are embedded within the video frame and
often overlooked, yet essential, functionalities that
cannot be turned off by the viewer. Burnt-in text
broadcasters need.
may appear within the region of a video that
keep track of closed captioning compliance in
captions are absent. It’s also a good idea for broadcasters to
contains black bars. Oftentimes, they are detected
case there is a regulatory inquiry. Advanced QC
Smart folders
as “video dropouts,” causing false alarms to be
solutions will provide an option to write out the
Most QC solutions use watch folders. Users can
reported by the QC solution.
closed captions so they can be checked later for
designate any accessible folder as a watch folder,
The best way to resolve this issue is by choosing a
compliance purposes.
and the QC solution scans the folders for incoming
QC solution that automatically checks for burnt-in
new files. As soon as a new file is detected, it’s
subtitles while analysing video. Broadcasters can
Conclusion
picked up and scheduled against a test plan
define the area in which the subtitles are expected
Using an integrated QC solution that offers
for QC. Users can specify filters to pick up or
to appear in a video. If the restrictions get voided,
advanced features like smart folders, detection
ignore files based on file extensions, minimum
the QC solution reports an error specifying the
of embedded subtitles, and closed captioning
file size, etcetera. Watch folders can’t handle
erroneous area. It’s important to look for a QC
compliances, broadcasters can deliver flawless
complex workflows where multiple types of files
solution that supports a wide range of languages in
video on every device, in the most efficient and
(with different parameters) are being dropped
order to reach the most viewers possible.
cost-effective manner possible. n
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