Closed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television or computer screen that either reproduces the audio dialogue of the content or adds additional information such as sound effects and music descriptions. Closed captioning is essential for people who are deaf or hard of hearing as it allows them to understand what is going on in the content they are watching. In addition, closed captioning can also be useful for viewers who speak a different language or have difficulty understanding the audio of the content.
Until recently, closed captioning was an labor- and time-intensive manual process. A person would watch a video and type what they heard, often having to go back and make corrections as they heard new audio content or spotted mistakes. This manual process was slow, expensive, and prone to error.
DotSUB is working to revolutionize the closed captioning process by automating it. Founded in 2006, DotSUB is a San Francisco-based company that uses machine learning and natural language processing to create captions for videos automatically. The company’s software uses a combination of audio and video analysis to identify the spoken words in a video and then generate a transcription automatically.
To ensure accuracy, DotSUB uses a multi-layered approach, running its technology on multiple languages and dialects. Its software is powered by a deep neural network that has been trained to recognize the patterns of speech in multiple languages and dialects. The automated captions created by DotSUB are up to 90% accurate, which makes them much more accurate than manually generated captions.
In addition to generating captions automatically, DotSUB also enables users to edit the captions they generate. This allows users to adjust the captions they’ve created to ensure accuracy and add additional information. DotSUB also provides a range of tools for editing the timing and formatting of captions, making it easier for users to create captions that look more professional.
DotSUB’s automated captioning process is far faster and more accurate than manual captioning. This makes it easier for companies and video creators to make their content more accessible. In addition, captions created with DotSUB are also cheaper to produce. This could make it possible for more companies to produce captions for their content, which would in turn make it easier for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing to access the content they need.
Finally, DotSUB’s automated captioning process makes it easier for companies to be compliant with regulations surrounding closed captions. For example, in the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act require closed captions be provided on video content accessed on digital platforms. DotSUB’s automated captioning process simplifies the process of creating and editing captions to ensure that content is compliant with these regulations.
Overall, DotSUB is leading the way in automated closed captioning for video content. Its automated process makes it easier for companies to make their video content accessible, while also saving time and money. This could be hugely beneficial for viewers who are deaf and hard of hearing, providing them with access to content that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.