Hmmm, I received a call about this the other day.  You may have read my blog about how we here at Video Labs are now offering HD closed-captioning services  and we are doing so for HDCAM 1080 masters.  But this was the first inquiry I received regarding cc-encoding for HDV. (further info about HDV format).

Well, our Video Labs engineer, Rodney Hammond, and I both set off to research that.  Rodney talked to Sony, and I searched the web.  Our conclusion: we are convinced that the answer is that the HDV format does not support closed-captioning.

But you may ask, “Well, wait minute, miniDV can carry that info, why not HDV?”

Ah, remember that miniDV is an SD format and carries the closed-captioned info in line 21 of the vertical interval.  HDV is a high-def format, and as the above-mentioned blog explains, in the HD realm, captions are carried in a metadata stream.  And as you may know, although HDV is a fine format, it is not as robust as its uptown relative, HDCAM.

Also, it makes sense if you think of it from Sony’s point of view.  If you were trying to get broadcasters to use your high-end HDCAM format as a  standard, would you also allow to have available as a substitute a much less expensive cousin?  No disrespect meant toward Sony — hey, it’s just smart business. 

And maybe there is a technical limitation as well as to why HDV doesn’t support closed captions.  Please let me know dryan@videolabs.net or comment below if you have info regarding that.

And let’s take that another step further.  As I’ve said to all I meet, PLEASE  let me know if you have any contrary information to any tech info I may relay.  There’s no room for ego in today’s fast-changing media environment.

Contact me at dryan@videolabs.net or 301-217-0000 x104

Also follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/DRMediaSolution

You may also be interested in reading my blog about captions and subtitles for DVDs: http://tinyurl.com/5vgp9m