Over-the-Top (OTT) Media Service
OTT stands for Over-the-Top. An OTT service is nothing but a platform that provides video and live stream feed to the viewers streamed through the Internet, instead of the traditional cables being laid. OTT Media services have broken barriers of regions and languages, starting to deliver content to anyone and everyone on the Earth with access to the internet. Thus, OTT platforms have been on a steady rise in the recent past.
OTT Platforms
The Importance of Captions for the OTT Industry
Captions and Subtitles are primary sources to face your inclusivity challenge. Expand your audiences worldwide despite geographical barriers with the key accessibility features- Captions and Subtitles. Timed text files (Captions and subtitles) are for hard-of-hearing individuals, non-native speakers, and people who wish to watch shows in sound-sensitive environments. They are the key sources of reliable communication and engagement. Let us also include captions to:
- Improve Accessibility
- Improve Search Engine Optimization
- Enhance comprehension and retention
- Be compliant with Accessibility laws and Industry standards
ADA Compliance for Streaming Industry
Avoid being sued. It’s a breach of the Americans with Disabilities Act to abstain from captions for programs streamed on the OTT. The ADA is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities. The Title IV of the ADA mandates closed captions for all supporting visual and video content. This title also falls under the Federal Communications Commission(FCC). Having ADA-compliant digital content for streaming platforms not only promotes equality and accessibility but also saves tons of legal cases from being filed against the company or brand.
Captioning File Formats accepted by various OTT Platforms
Each platform has its own format for submitting timed-text files (Captions & Subtitles). We know its time consuming to understand all these specs and create timed text files for your shows and movies. At CaptioningStar, we strictly adhere to all the requirements specified by various OTT Platforms to provide valid captions which are over 99% accurate.
Below are the Caption files for various Streaming Platforms
Caption Files for YouTube
YouTube generally recommends the Scenarist (.scc) format. It also recommends the TTML or WebVTT format.
Other compatible formats:
- SubRip (.srt)
- WebVTT (.vtt)
- DFXP/TTML (.dxfp)
- Scenarist (.scc)
- SAMI (.sami)
Caption Files for Vimeo
Vimeo lists the WebVTT (.vtt) and Scenarist (.scc) format as its preferred format.
Other compatible formats:
- SubRip (.srt)
- DXFP/TTML (.dxfp)
- SAMI (.SAMI)
Caption Files for Adobe Products (Encore, Captivate, Flash, and Premiere Pro)
Other compatible formats:
- SubRip (.srt)
- Scenarist (.scc)
- MacCaption (.mcc)
- XML (.xml) Note: You may order captions in TTML (.ttml) format to be compatible with XML)
- Spruce Subtitle File (.STL).
Caption Files for Amazon Video Direct
Other compatible formats:
- SMPTE-TT (RP-2052) (.xml)
- Scenarist (.scc)
- SubRip (.srt)
- EBU-TT (.xml)
- DFXP Full/TTML (.dfxp)
- iTunes Timed Text (.iTT)
Caption Files for Netflix
All subtitles and SDH files for all languages should be delivered in TTML1 format (.xml or .ttml). For the Japanese language, it must be provided in IMSC1.1 format (.xml).
Other compatible formats:
- SubRip (.srt)
- Scenarist (.scc)
- Timed Text (.ttml)
- DXFP (.dxfp)
- WebVTT (.vtt)
- Cheetah CAP (.cap)
- MacCaption (.mcc)
- Quicktime Subtitle (.qt.txt)
- Spruce Subtitle File (.stl).
- XML (.xml)
English captions are required for all titles published in the United States.
All timecodes contained in a closed captions file must appear in linear (sequential) order.
We work with other OTT platforms and their formats as well. For more requirements contact us.
Other services offered by CaptioningStar
Communication Collaboration
Meetings, Webinars, Townhalls & Video Portal
Live Subtitling Captioning
Translate from the video’s source language to the target language and add subtitles.
Live Stream Captioning
Host any type of event on any platform and stream it on your social media pages.
ASL Interpretations
ASL interpreting services are highly regulated. We are familiar with that and interpret.
Pre-recorded Video Captioning
Do you have a library of pre-recorded videos? Bring them to us. We make them better.
Streamtext Real-time Captioning
Make your live captions appear on a separate window or device with Streamtext.
Virtual Interpreters
Hire our remote telephone interpreters. We support as many as 50+ languages.
Lip Reading Oral Transliteration
Translate the message of a deaf person to a hearing person and vice versa.
Verbatim & Transcripts
Get your free, proofread verbatim print materials in 48 hours after your events.
Notetakers
Never miss anything in an event. We are ready to take notes on the go. Go paper-free
Top reasons to choose CaptioningStar
Qualified interpreters holding national certifications from RID/NAD
ASL interpreters are specialized in interpreting industry niche content
Seamless integrations with various platforms for remote interpreting
We offer email, phone, and live chat support round the clock- 24/7.
We offer both on-site and remote interpreting services