Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research 2001 ISIS Exploratory Research 2001 Development

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research 2001Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research 2001

ISIS Exploratory Research 2001

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting

Presentation Cec/Cenelec/Etsi

by Giuliano Pirelli - 3rd July 2001

Thanks for having invited me to present the proposal:

it is important for focusing the aims and define the balance between technical and social aspects.


2a. Background - Demand

1/3 population:languages/communication difficulties

living or travelling in other countries(news, education, amusement)

hearing impaired and elderly subtitles quantity: from 30%(?) to 100% of broadcasts quality: validation by (weak) user groups audience: lack of indicators on teletext pages’ users style: differences in different countries DVD: uncertainty in a new area

lack of awareness and co-ordination


2b. Background - Solutions

Helping European citizens overcoming languages gap

Dubbing in other languages very expensive and long delay (copyright: voice in the film)

Subtitling in the original language: simple, quick, un-expensive, (rights, ?copyright: added text)

(+ language training)

for all users, seeing subtitles, even in the original language, helps understanding; for the hearing impaired users, this is the only means of understanding

Subtitling is one of the most powerful learning and training tools of any language:

by reinforcing what is being learnt by hearing, enriching the vocabulary, in context


3. European dimension

There are technical solutions and pre-standards work to be done to promote them at a European level

Harmonisation as a catalyst to encourage the market ensuring links to (or defences from) USA and Canada >90% subtitled broadcasts USA/Can, 60% UK, 30% D, I, design for all:

extending to all users the experience of specific users

Increasing in television subtitling + DVD and Web large distribution, translation easier by common formats

Risk of missing an important opportunity it is time for establishing a reference starting group

for TV, digital TV, DVD


4a. Achievements so far


4a. Achievements so far

MOISE data base, NETDAYS, Net of Schools and Universities

Broadcasts RAI, RTBF, TV5, overview TV Europe and Canada

100 workshops, 5000 participants,VOICE Web Site and Associations’ Forum

Subtitled video-conferences, Portable PC with spectacles


4b. Past, present and future

TV subtitling for all users

and for hearing impaired users

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Explor.Research SCA DG13TIDE 100% Expl.Res. Prepar. Year Disab.


5a. Work to be carried out

Multimedia television, digital television, digital radio, film/cinema video-cassettes, CD-ROM, DVD

Synchronisation on line: news, live broadcasts, sport off line: films, documentaries, games; time-code: in & out

Style open caption (visible for all users) closed caption (teletext page with subtitles) full text or resumed/simplified text number and position of lines: fixed or scrolling colours’ schemas and characters’ font and size

Users: normally hearing users: subtitles only of voice hearing impaired: subtitles of voice and of sounds (colours) audience: statistics on teletext pages’ users; advertising

Tools: voice recognition, stenotype, manual keyboard New tips: subtitles’ indicator, sounds level meter, tele-command


5b. Deliverables, time-scale

2001July-Aug: reinforce collaboration with TV broadcasters, subtitling firms, user groups;

new contacts producers CD-ROM and DVD

Sept: prepare videotapes with extracts from different broadcasts, comparing approaches: common points and main differences, best practice

September: OJ Publication of Year 2003; NDCS Exhibition in Scotland, BBC ISGD meeting (presentation of proposal)

Oct-Nov: define user needs, through contacts with user groups and field tests;translate users needs into technical specifications; prepare summary report

November: European meeting; ISGD meeting (presentation results + proposal Year 2003, agenda 2002)

2002 2 workshops presenting activities, discussing rules and standards;intermediate results’ dissemination; organisation of Year 2003 activities;

2003 subtitling Official Year opening/closing speeches + Special Olympics Ireland;final results’ dissemination.

Dissemination to EC Services, broadcasters, producers and public, by Web Forum and television broadcasts; means for spreading information on JRC’s role/activities.


6. Your contribution

• collaboration, contacts•spreading ideas, developing awareness

• standards, rules, •adding useful hints, avoiding useless limits

• suggest other resources, underline unforeseen obstacles • •

Documents

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research 2001 ISIS Exploratory Research 2001 Development