Thanks Dave,

Will these subtitles function identically like closed captions when the end user tries to access closed captions on their home DVD player, in other words will the closed captions on my DVD work like any other DVD with closed captions? Or is subtitles something different?

Workiing now in DVDA 5.2, I created a subtitle track but I don't see any way to import an .scc file. When I try to import, it doesn't recognize it. When I search help for SCC there is no result.

I'm sure there is a way to do this! Thanks for your help!

Cal

Whoops, I might have misspoke. I use so many different software packages that I get confused.

DVDA will import the SUB files as subtitles, which may not be what you want.

Sorry, DVDA supports subtitles, but not closed captions. They are different things but can be used for the same purpose if needed.

In Vegas there is a script to export subtitles for DVDA. Use that script and then you can importt that file as a SUBTITLE in your DVD.

the subtitles will work using the Subtitle button on your DVD. Normally CC are controlled (on/off) by the TV. Closed Captioning appears on line 21 of the video signal. DVDA doesn't support encoding CC even though Vegas supports the creation of them and several export file formats.

There are other authoring packages, such as Adobe Encore that allow you to encode CC with an SCC file.

Sorry again for responding incorrectly.

Dave T2

Some progress:

In Vegas I found under scripting a script called "Export closed captioning for DVD Architect." This converts the captions to a .sub file. DVD Architect Pro recognizes this .sub file, and using the "import subtitles" button in DVDA I was able to import them all at once into the media timeline. It looks like DVDA even lets me adjust the length and position of the subtitles, very nice.

The subtitles preview just fine.

But when I make a DVD, my DVD player doesn't see the closed captions. HELP!!!

Cal

OK, thanks Dave. I'll work on another solution.

In Vegas you create the closed captions the same way you would the subtitles but when you are done you need to make sure that you run the script called "Promote Media Closed Captioning." To preview them look under the overlay dropdown and you will see option for Closed Captions. Now when you export you need to make sure that you have the little "Save project markers in media file" tab checked.

Go to DVDA and import your mpg file and create the DVD as normal - you will not be able to preview CC from within DVDA however.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. If you are viewing the DVD via HDMI your TV will not decode the CC info as it will be striped out.
2. Most stand alone monitors these days do not have built in CC decoding.
3. DVD players are hit and miss but many have built in CC decoding. SOme say they do, others don't.
3a. DVD-A does not set the CC decode flag to "on" so if you do have a DVD player the has a built in decoder you will have to "hack" the ifo file/s to change the CC decode flag from off to on.
4. Outside of the US closed captioning is not a law and it is not really used. So you may consider duplicating the CC info a subtitle info as well. (This is where the "Export Closed Captioning for DVD Architect" srcipt comes in handy)

DISCLAMIER: I have no connection to any of the following examples but - as examples - of what you might need to see the caption display:

An external decoder such as the API Closed Caption Decoder
A combo monitor/DVD player such as the Magnavox 22MD311B
A DVD player such as the LG DVX-583KH or the LG BD300
In the US any TV and or monitor with a built in ATSC tuner.

Okay, based on Filmy's information I did some test.

Vegas will embed CC in an MPEG stream. This is not line 21 captioning, which is the common SD caption format for NTSC US TV.

This is a metadata stream embedded within the MPEG file. I have two DVD players. I cannot see the CC on my older DVD player, but my newer player/recorder will allow me to see the CC. I would say that the playing of CC from an MPEG file in Vegas is dependent upon your capabilities of your DVD player.

If you want universal CC formatting that can be seen on any CC Ready TV in the US, you need other authoring software.

To get the 608 and 708 captions in the MPEG file, you have to have them entered as caption information or promote the markers to captions. But you do not need to export the markers. The captions are part of the MPEG stream.
Dave T2

For Vegas 11:

"Import, edit, move, merge, delete, create new, preview, and export CEA-608 closed-caption data in XDCAM MFX and MPEG-2 media. Display TV-like CEA608 as an overlay during playback in the Preview and Trimmer windows. This makes it easy to check placement, edits, and timing of CC information. CEA708 style closed captioning is automatically created when the CEA608 data is created. Line 21 closed captioning is supported, as well as HD-SDI closed captioning capture and print from AJA and Blackmagic Design cards. Line 21 support provides a workflow for existing legacy media."

With Vegas 10:

Rendering Line 21 captions:
"Line 21 captions are supported during rendering for any media format when using a frame size of 720x486 pixels (or taller) and a frame rate of 29.97 fps."

Filmy,

IF you are trying to tell me that line 21 for DVDs is supported, you are incorrect. An NTSC DVD mpeg file is 720 x 480, so Vegas does not export CC for line 21.

A line 21 CC has to be created when the DVD is authored. The authoring program must support it, and DVDA does not.

Dave T2

Not trying to tell you anything, just stating facts.

Can you add *any* Cc info with DVDA? No you can not. DVDA is very limited in what it does.

If the file already had CC info in it will DVDA pass it through? Yes it will.

I go back to the SoFo days here and you can find posts by me going back several years discusing Captions and telling people about third party solutions. It feels fairly good to be able to tell people you can do most of it from within Vegas now.

Yes, the Vegas Captioning capabilities are great considering they are included in the edit package. I am getting ready to purchase the Vasst Caption Assistant plugin to expand our companies Captioning capabilities as well.

I wish they would institute the CC line 21 option into DVDs, but with HD and media players, I don't know how much effort is being put into DVD authoring software right now.

Dave T2