Subtitles and Caption Subtitles and Caption 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to WCAG 2.1, which success criterion requires captions for all pre-recorded audio content in synchronized media?
- Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content)
- Success Criterion 1.2.2 (Captions – Pre-recorded) (Correct answer)
- Success Criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast – Minimum)
- Success Criterion 2.4.6 (Headings and Labels)
Correct answer: Success Criterion 1.2.2 (Captions – Pre-recorded)
WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.2.2 specifically requires captions for all pre-recorded audio in synchronized media at Level A conformance.
Question 2: What is a 'caption encoder' device used for in television broadcasting?
- Converting audio to text automatically
- Inserting caption data into the video signal's vertical blanking interval or digital stream (Correct answer)
- Decoding captions from a cable signal for display
- Translating captions from one language to another in real time
Correct answer: Inserting caption data into the video signal's vertical blanking interval or digital stream
A caption encoder inserts the caption data stream into the appropriate location of the video signal (VBI for analog, or digital packets for digital TV) for broadcast.
Question 3: Which display style is most commonly used for live captions such as news broadcasts?
- Pop-on
- Roll-up (Correct answer)
- Paint-on
- Fade-in
Correct answer: Roll-up
Roll-up captions scroll upward line by line and are the preferred style for live broadcasts because they allow continuous display as words are transcribed in real time.
Question 4: In the Netflix Timed Text Style Guide, what is the recommended maximum reading speed for subtitles?
- 12 characters per second
- 17 characters per second (Correct answer)
- 20 characters per second
- 25 characters per second
Correct answer: 17 characters per second
Netflix's Timed Text Style Guide specifies a maximum reading speed of 17 characters per second (cps) for English subtitles to ensure comfortable readability.
Question 5: What is 'line 21' in the context of analog television closed captioning in the US?
- The maximum number of caption lines allowed per screen
- The specific line in the vertical blanking interval where caption data is encoded for analog NTSC broadcasts (Correct answer)
- The minimum font size required for captions
- The FCC regulation number governing closed captioning
Correct answer: The specific line in the vertical blanking interval where caption data is encoded for analog NTSC broadcasts
Line 21 refers to the 21st scan line of the vertical blanking interval in the NTSC analog TV signal, where closed caption data is encoded per EIA-608 standard.
Question 6: When captioning music or songs, which of the following is the best practice?
- Omit lyrics since they are not speech
- Caption only the song title, not the lyrics
- Include lyrics with musical notes (♪) to indicate they are sung, not spoken (Correct answer)
- Describe music as [MUSIC] without including any lyrics
Correct answer: Include lyrics with musical notes (♪) to indicate they are sung, not spoken
Best practice is to include song lyrics in captions with musical note symbols (♪) to indicate they are sung content, preserving the full experience for deaf viewers.
Question 7: What does the CEA-608 standard govern in the United States?
- Digital television caption formatting and transmission
- Analog television closed captioning on line 21 of the VBI (Correct answer)
- Online streaming video caption requirements
- Real-time captioning accuracy benchmarks
Correct answer: Analog television closed captioning on line 21 of the VBI
CEA-608 (formerly EIA-608) is the US standard that defines closed captioning data encoding on line 21 of the vertical blanking interval for analog NTSC television.
Subtitles and Caption Subtitles and Caption 5
According to WCAG 2.1, which success criterion requires captions for all pre-recorded audio content in synchronized media?