WTMJ-HD (4.1) - Closed Captioning

[mrmike]

I have an odd issue with CC on Channel 4.1, when I watch HD shows (ER, Crossing Jordan to name two recently), I don't get CC, either on the "normal" method or on the digital caption channel labeled "English", althoughthe channel is there.   On their SD broadcasts I usually get both (though the digital CC is sometimes unlabelled or labelled CC1 instead of "English").  This is on either of my STBs (A MIT-MDR200 and an LG-3410a).  I haven't ripped into the ts data to see what's going on, but I may do that this week if I get bored.  Has anyone else seen this?  I did a search but saw no other reports of such issues.

[oflaherty]

Unfortunately NBC does not offer captions on any HD programs.

On all the upconverted standard definition shows our encoder "reads" the old analog "EIA-608" captions on Line 21 of the NTSC video and inserts the caption data into the digital transport stream.
Even though the caption information is sent to the viewer as digital data, it looks just like the old NTSC captions.

For HD shows we've talked about trying to take the caption data from the analog channel and reinsert it in the HD broadcast. There are timing and placement issues with that, but it might be a temporary solution until NBC starts HD captioning.

http://bg.broadcastengineering.com/ar/broadcasting_encoding_closed_captions/
http://www.vitac.com/technical/dtvhistory.htm
http://www.broadcastpapers.com/data/NCAMDTVCaptions01.htm

--Sean at TMJ

[mrmike]

Thanks for the reply.  Any notions where I could pen a letter to do the most good?  This is a major issue for me and I'd like to get my voice heard.

[John L]

Originally posted by mrmike
Thanks for the reply.  Any notions where I could pen a letter to do the most good?  This is a major issue for me and I'd like to get my voice heard.

I agree.  I thought it was almost mandatory to have CC.  It was originally an added feature for the deaf, but it certainly has many advantages to people who are in an area where lot of people are talking, or at the SPAs while on the treadmill it is handy to read what the people on TV are saying.

-John L.

[oflaherty]

I've copied this thread to our station manager Mark Strachota.
I've also sent an email to the director of engineering and the chief engineer asking if we should set up a bridge to take the captions off the SD feed and insert them in the HD stream.  (I see over on the AVS Form that several local stations in other cities are doing that already.)

--Sean at TMJ

[StarvingForHDTV]

Sean,

I hope other stations follow your lead.  

Your willingness to openly communicate, and the immediate attention to problem solving is much appreciated.  I also appreciate that your station sends program guide data over the air, and even goes so far as to designate which shows are in Hi Def on that guide.  Keep up the good work.

[oflaherty]

Thanks to the discussion here on MilwaukeeHDTV, our general manager Mark Strachota has moved up the purchase of the caption bridging and insertion equipment from the 2005 budget to right now.
He's told the engineering department to place the order.

We don't have a timetable yet for delivery and setup—but I hope we are only talking about a few weeks.

--Sean at TMJ

[mrmike]

Well, now.  I might just have to take back some of the things I've been mumbling under my breath about you folks over there at TMJ

In all seriousness, your attention to this issue is greatly appreciated.  Even if it takes a while, just knowing what's going on and that someone is paying attention to it is a huge improvement.  It's folks like you that make me think this country hasn't completely lost the customer service gene.

-MM

[mrmike]

Lo and behold, West Wing was Closed Captioned when I watched it off my DVR last night.  I'm guessing this means that the equipment got put in :rock:

[oflaherty]

Correct –  It was installed late Wednesday afternoon.
--
Sean at TMJ