Subtitles and Caption Closed Captions vs Open Captions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What encoding standard is used for closed captions in digital US television (ATSC)?
- CEA-608
- CEA-708 (Correct answer)
- SMPTE 2052
- W3C TTML
Correct answer: CEA-708
CEA-708 is the standard for closed captions in digital US television (ATSC), offering enhanced features like multiple fonts, sizes, and colors compared to the analog CEA-608 standard.
Question 2: What is a key accessibility advantage of closed captions over open captions?
- Closed captions can be resized and repositioned by the viewer (Correct answer)
- Closed captions are always in higher resolution
- Closed captions load faster than open captions
- Closed captions do not require a decoder
Correct answer: Closed captions can be resized and repositioned by the viewer
Closed captions encoded in CEA-708 or web standards allow viewers to customize font size, color, and position, which benefits users with low vision or specific reading needs.
Question 3: What is the difference between captions and subtitles in US terminology?
- They are identical terms with no distinction
- Captions include non-speech audio cues; subtitles typically provide only dialogue (Correct answer)
- Subtitles are for domestic audiences; captions are for foreign language viewers
- Captions are only for online video; subtitles are only for broadcast TV
Correct answer: Captions include non-speech audio cues; subtitles typically provide only dialogue
In US terminology, captions include non-speech audio descriptions (sound effects, speaker IDs) for deaf viewers, while subtitles typically only transcribe spoken dialogue for hearing viewers.
Question 4: Which streaming platform requirement typically mandates closed captions as opposed to open captions for uploaded content?
- YouTube, Netflix, and most major platforms require closed captions in a sidecar file format (Correct answer)
- Streaming platforms only accept open caption burned-in video
- Only government broadcasters require closed captions online
- Closed captions are never required for streaming content
Correct answer: YouTube, Netflix, and most major platforms require closed captions in a sidecar file format
Major US streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix require closed captions delivered as separate sidecar files (e.g., SRT, VTT) rather than burned-in open captions.
Question 5: In what scenario would a producer choose open captions over closed captions for a web video?
- When the platform does not support sidecar caption files (Correct answer)
- When they want viewers to be able to turn captions off
- When the video has no dialogue
- When the file size must be minimized
Correct answer: When the platform does not support sidecar caption files
If a platform does not support separate caption file formats or the video will be shared across platforms where caption support is uncertain, open captions ensure accessibility in all environments.
Question 6: What is 'SDH' and how does it relate to closed captions?
- SDH stands for Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; it is a form of closed caption that includes speaker IDs and sound effect descriptions (Correct answer)
- SDH is a video encoding format unrelated to captions
- SDH refers to standard definition high-definition captions only
- SDH is a European-only caption standard
Correct answer: SDH stands for Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; it is a form of closed caption that includes speaker IDs and sound effect descriptions
SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) combines subtitle-style formatting with full caption information including sound effects and speaker identification.
Subtitles and Caption Closed Captions vs Open Captions 2
What encoding standard is used for closed captions in digital US television (ATSC)?