Live captioning and offline captioning – what’s the difference?

Captioning is just subtitles, right?

NOPE!

There are different types of captions, some with their own very specific uses, but most fall into two categories: offline and live captioning.

Offline captioning explained

Offline captioning is simply adding captions to a video after it’s been made. In other words, a video that is not watched live.

Offline captioning comes in two different forms – subtitles and closed captions – which are often mistakenly used synonymously. Subtle as it is, there is a difference between the two!

Subtitles show what’s being said on screen, so either the dialogue between characters or what the narrator is saying in a voiceover.

They usually appear in foreign films, when the viewer can’t understand the original language, but can still hear the original dialogue and sound effects.

Closed Captions, on the other hand, are slightly more encompassing than subtitles.

They not only show what is being said on screen, but they will also show other sounds and music that are happening.

Closed captions can include a dog barking offscreen, the emotion of an actor’s voice, or a build-up of tense or dramatic music.

Live captioning explained

Live captioning is a way for a transcript of what’s being said to appear live as the speaker is talking, making them very different from traditional subtitles.

Usually, live captioning is done with a stenographer in the room, typing at a staggering 300 words per minute to keep up with what’s being said.

In the UK, verbatim captioners are known as palantypists, stenographers, or Speech to Text Reporters. In the USA they are known as CART writers, and in some European countries as Speech to Text Interpreters.

Remote live captioning

With remote captioning, the person transcribing everything doesn’t have to be in the room – they can be anywhere in the world. All that’s needed is a good internet connection to transcribe what’s being said in real time.

Remote captioning is cheaper than live, on-site captioning because the person doesn’t physically have to be there, cutting down travel costs and hotel accommodation. It also allows for bookings at short notice.

We’re the UK’s leading experts in live captioning

That’s quite a boast, but it’s true.

We have years of experience live captioning events, lectures, and conferences, all over the world and in many different languages.

With our team of over 300 captioners across the globe, we can provide live captioning at short notice and easily accommodate changes to scheduled teaching.

And when we say across the globe, we mean it! We can deliver live captioning in several languages, and offline in over 80 languages, ensuring no matter where you are or what you need, we can help.

If you would like to know more about live captioning or any of the other services we provide, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Our friendly, professional staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.