You know that we at Video Labs provide closed-captioning and subtitling services at Video Labs.  

We can provide those services for both standard def and HD videotapes: http://tinyurl.com/6bpxje

and to DVDs as well: http://tinyurl.com/5vgp9m

So a logical next question is what are the options with Blu-ray discs?

Well, as I explain in the above-linked blog, line 21 captions, which are possible to carry through on some DVD recorders, will not get carried through on Blu-ray for the simple fact that Blu-ray is dealing with HD, and there is no line 21 vertical interval in the the HD format.  HD captioning is carried by a metadata stream.

“Ah,” but you say, “yes, but we can author .scc files to standard DVDs and have them act like line 21 captions.   So, isn’t there something like that for Blu-ray discs?”

OK.  Time to turn to one of my expert resources.

We at Video Labs have a client/vendor relationship with several captioning/subtitling providers.   With all the tech developments in media these days, you can imagine that we are always asking and answering questions with our contacts at these companies.  So I asked the above question to good friend and account exec, Heather York, at Vitac www.vitac.com

She replied, “The Blu-ray (player and DVD) was developed without closed captioning specs.  That’s pretty much all there is to it.  Blu-ray does not support closed captioning.  The logic is that users can select subtitles through a DVD menu.”

And frankly, even in standard DVD situations, I find that when given the choice of adding either a .scc file for captions or an .stl file for subtitles, most clients choose the subtitles because they are most aesthetically pleasing.

So there you have it.  No captions for Blu-ray discs, but subtitles yes.

By the way, as I’ve mentioned in other places, another great source to check all-things Blu-ray is “Blu-ray Disc Demystified.” http://tinyurl.com/9qaxjw  One of the listed authors is locally-DC based Chuck Crawford, whose wife and biz partner, Samantha Cheng, also contributed extensively.  The book is really an EXCELLENT resource.   Specifically, on pages 6-29 to 6-30 they talk in detail about Blu-ray subtitles.

Changing the subject a bit, you may also be aware of the current challenges some cable and satellite customers are facing these days in accessing closed captions for DTV andor HD programming.  Here’s an FCC status report on this: http://tinyurl.com/5kjj2a

Heather York mentioned that HDMI cables are also presenting a challenge.  These are the cables that HD viewers use to connect all their HD gear.  These cables are not setup to pass through closed-captioned information. 

Heather adds, “HDMI will only pass captions that have been decoded at a source prior to your TV set.  This means that if your cable box is connected to your HDTV via HDMI, you have to turn on the captions THROUGH THE CABLE BOX.  This is truly confusing, as many cable boxes have to be turned off to even get to the caption menu, and has caused a lot of problem for viewers.”

And one other thing: since Blu-ray players are set to read captions, if you put a standard DVD with captions (either with line 21 info or .scc file), the DVD will play, but the captions cannot be accessed. 

Stay turned.  This will all undoubtedly get worked out.  The question just is when.  For now, let’s just cross our fingers and hope we all get through the DTV transition ok.

And we’ll be sure to keep you updated here at www.DavidRyanMediaSolutions.com

Your comments are most welcomed below.

If you enjoyed this article, you may want to also check out my blog about captions for HDV: http://tinyurl.com/cpwfan

To learn more about our Blu-ray disc duplication capabilities, check out this blog: http://tinyurl.com/a6jqd6

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

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