CBC CBC Equipment & Software Tools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of a 'writer' or 'steno machine' in broadcast captioning?
- To input phonetic steno strokes that are translated into text by CAT software (Correct answer)
- To directly type captions letter by letter
- To encode captions into the broadcast signal
- To manage caption delivery to multiple networks
Correct answer: To input phonetic steno strokes that are translated into text by CAT software
The steno machine captures phonetic chord strokes that the CAT software then translates into readable text captions in real time.
Question 2: Which connection method is typically used to transmit real-time captions from a remote captioner's workstation to a broadcast encoder?
- IP-based network connection (TCP/IP) (Correct answer)
- Physical USB cable
- Infrared signal
- Analog modem dial-up
Correct answer: IP-based network connection (TCP/IP)
IP-based (TCP/IP) network connections are used for remote CART and broadcast captioning, allowing captioners to work from any location.
Question 3: What is a 'job dictionary' or 'job-specific glossary' used for in broadcast captioning software?
- To add specialized terms, names, and abbreviations unique to a specific broadcast assignment (Correct answer)
- To store FCC regulatory citations
- To log captioning errors for QA review
- To configure caption font and display settings
Correct answer: To add specialized terms, names, and abbreviations unique to a specific broadcast assignment
Job-specific dictionaries allow captioners to pre-load proper nouns, technical terms, and program-specific vocabulary before a live broadcast.
Question 4: In CAT software, what is a 'conflict' and why does it matter for broadcast captioners?
- When a single steno stroke maps to multiple possible words, requiring resolution (Correct answer)
- When two captioners write simultaneously on the same feed
- When caption text exceeds the screen character limit
- When the FCC deadline for caption submission is missed
Correct answer: When a single steno stroke maps to multiple possible words, requiring resolution
A conflict occurs when a steno outline has multiple possible translations; unresolved conflicts slow caption output and reduce accuracy during live broadcasts.
Question 5: What is the typical words-per-minute (WPM) speed requirement for a broadcast captioner using stenography?
- 225 WPM or higher (Correct answer)
- 80–100 WPM
- 150 WPM
- 60 WPM
Correct answer: 225 WPM or higher
Broadcast captioners typically must sustain 225 WPM or more to keep up with the pace of live television speech.
Question 6: Which tool allows a broadcast captioner to monitor caption latency and quality in real time during a live feed?
- A caption monitoring software dashboard or scope (Correct answer)
- A DSLR camera viewfinder
- A closed-circuit radio receiver
- A standard web browser
Correct answer: A caption monitoring software dashboard or scope
Caption monitoring dashboards provide live views of caption output, delay measurements, and error flags so captioners can self-correct during a broadcast.
CBC CBC Equipment & Software Tools 2
What is the function of a 'writer' or 'steno machine' in broadcast captioning?