Captioning General Info

Simply put: you cannot turn off open captions. No decoder is required to view them.

Closed captions are broadcast as part of the TV signal, and can be turned on and off at will.

Off-line captioning refers to captioning that is done as part of post production (or "postproduction"), that is, the video is not streaming live at the time the captions are encoded. Both closed and open captions may be referred to as "off-line" or "offline" captioning.

Realtime captioning (also know as “real-time”, “online” or “on-line” captioning) refers to captioning that is done as a show is being aired live (e.g. the news, live sporting events, or the Academy Awards). Programs that are shot and then aired at a later date are closed captioned as part of the post production process.
Line 21 does not offer realtime captioning, but we can point you to people who’ll do a great job. We recommend The Captioning Group.

(Line 21 is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.)

A decoder (either built into your television or plugged into your set) will unscramble the appropriate signal to allow you to see captions.

They are sometimes confused, but generally subtitles and captions are not the same thing. Subtitles are intended for hearing audiences and captions for deaf audiences. Subtitles usually only translate the dialogue into a different language while closed captions include dialogue, selected sound effects (e.g. "phone ringing" or "door slamming"), and even the lyrics to background music. Additionally, captions indicate who is speaking through positioning, where subtitles make you guess. Open captioning, however, is sometimes used as an economical alternative to subtitling.

Descriptive captioning is designed to aid the viewing enjoyment of the visually impaired. All the on-screen action (from facial gestures to speeding cars) is described in a separate audio track so that people who can’t see what’s going on can still understand what’s going on. Line 21 does not provide descriptive captioning. We recommend Descriptive Video Works.

(Line 21 is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.)

No. Only the owner of the intellectual property rights, or the copyright owner, can legally hire someone to caption a show.

Closed-captioning requirements are attached to a broadcaster's licence. Generally, large broadcasters (CBC, CTV, Global, etc.) are required to closed caption 90% of overall programming and 100% of local news. Additionally, specialty channels and pay-per-view channels are obliged to provide closed captioning for at least 90% of their programming. Visit the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) site for full details.

(Line 21 is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.)