Closed Caption Fonts
Closed
captioning capabilities provide access to TV programming for individuals with
hearing disabilities. The technology allows for the audio portion of
programming to be displayed as text, super-imposed over the video portion. To
display closed captions, viewers must use either a set-top decoder or a TV
receiver that contains integrated decoder technology.
Requirements
for closed captioning have existed since the 1990 passage of the Television
Decoder Circuitry Act. With the advent of digital broadcasting, the FCC has
updated its rules with instructions for the encoding, display and delivery of
closed captioning information for digital TV. These new closed caption
requirements are known as EIA 708. Manufacturers are now required to include EIA
708 compliant DTV closed captioning decoder circuitry in digital TVs.
The fonts included with
closed captioning software are what is viewed on screen, and need to be crisp,
readable, and still meet the EIA 708 specifications. These specifications
include such font styles as serif, sans serif and monospaced, as well as
effects including drop shadow, outline, raised, depressed and uniform.
For more
information on closed caption fonts and EIA 708 requirements,
contact Monotype Imaging at 800-718-0400.
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