Development 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.

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research a. Background - Demand 1/3 population: languages/communication difficulties u living or travelling in other countries (news, education, amusement) u hearing impaired and elderly u u subtitles quantity: from 30%(?) to 100% of broadcasts u u quality: validation by (weak) user groups u u audience: lack of indicators on teletext pages’ users u u style: differences in different countries u u DVD: uncertainty in a new area u u lack of awareness and co-ordination

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research b. Background - Solutions Helping European citizens overcoming languages gap u u Dubbing in other languages l l very expensive and long delay (copyright: voice in the film) u u Subtitling in the original language: l l 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

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research European dimension u There are technical solutions and pre-standards l work to be done to promote them at a European level u Harmonisation as a catalyst to encourage the market l ensuring links to (or defences from) USA and Canada l >90% subtitled broadcasts USA/Can, 60% UK, 30% D, I, l design for all: extending to all users the experience of specific users u Increasing in television subtitling + DVD and Web l large distribution, translation easier by common formats u Risk of missing an important opportunity l it is time for establishing a reference starting group for TV, digital TV, DVD

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research a. Achievements so far

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research a. Achievements so far n n MOISE data base, NETDAYS, Net of Schools and Universities n n Broadcasts RAI, RTBF, TV5, overview TV Europe and Canada n n 100 workshops, 5000 participants, VOICE Web Site and Associations’ Forum n n Subtitled video-conferences, Portable PC with spectacles

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research b. Past, present and future TV subtitling for all users and for hearing impaired users Explor.Research SCA DG13TIDE 100%Expl.Res.Prepar.Year Disab.

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research a. Work to be carried out u Multimedia l television, digital television, digital radio, film/cinema l video-cassettes, CD-ROM, DVD u Synchronisation l on line: news, live broadcasts, sport l off line: films, documentaries, games; time-code: in & out u Style l open caption (visible for all users) l closed caption (teletext page with subtitles) l full text or resumed/simplified text l number and position of lines: fixed or scrolling l colours’ schemas and characters’ font and size u Users: l normally hearing users: subtitles only of voice l hearing impaired: subtitles of voice and of sounds (colours) l audience: statistics on teletext pages’ users; advertising u Tools: voice recognition, stenotype, manual keyboard u New tips: subtitles’ indicator, sounds level meter, tele-command

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research b. Deliverables, time-scale 2001 July-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) workshops presenting activities, discussing rules and standards; intermediate results’ dissemination; organisation of Year 2003 activities; 2003subtitling 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.

Development and harmonisation of subtitling in European television broadcasting - ISIS Exploratory Research Your contribution collaboration, contacts spreading ideas, developing awareness standards, rules, adding useful hints, avoiding useless limits suggest other resources, underline unforeseen obstacles