Video Captioning Options
Introduction
There are several different services available for captioning videos to comply with Web and IT Accessibility Guidelines and Procedures. Benefits that occur when accurately captioning visual content include an increase comprehension of content, improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and a remedy for situational or temporarily unavailable audio.
Instructors with an immediate need to provide accessible video or audio media files to a student should contact the Office of Disability Support Services, Email:[email protected] (248) 370-3268, 103A North Foundation Hall, Or visit their website.
Videos intended for a public audience should be reviewed with Communications and Marketing.
Web multimedia should include both synchronized captions and a descriptive transcript. To choose the best option, consider the options below:
If you do not require use of a Screen Reader you can view a comparison chart.
You Tube
1. Use Case
Ideal when not all of your content is scripted, and when creating department marketing materials. Work with Communications and Marketing to ensure Brand Guidelines have been met.
2. Benefit
There are 3 ways to achieve captioning depending on the transcripts you have:
- Type the text in as you watch the video; both the timecode and text as captions will be added. Upload a transcript (without time code).
- Youtube will parse the transcript and add timecode.
- If the captions already exist, the editor can edit any remaining errors.
3. Ownership
End User is required to use tools to create and edit content.
4. Cost
Free
5. Toolkits and resources
Accessibility- Video Captioning
6. Additional Information
YouTube Captioning
YouTube Creating Transcript Files
Google Docs
1. Use Case
Ideal when you need to transcribe a video as you record it. This will tool will produce a transcript you can upload to the tool producing the video.
2. Benefit
Google Docs has a feature called Voice Typing. It is only useful for a few lines that need to be captioned at a time and most helpful for Youtube videos.
3. Ownership
End User is required to use tools to create and edit content.
4. Cost
Free
5. Toolkits and resources
Google Help
Google Help Caption Tracks
6. Additional Information
Camtasia
1. Use Case
Ideal when creating internal and public facing help tutorials and supplementary academic content.
2. Benefit
Software allows you to "Copy" and "Paste" a script to create captions.
3. Ownership
End User is required to use tools to create and edit content.
4. Cost
Requires a Department purchase for each user license.
5. Toolkits and resources
Accessibility- Video Captioning
6. Additional Information
Camtasia Captioning Information.
Panopto
1. Use Case
If using Panopto for class recordings, the Panopto captioning should be enabled.The primary choice for most academic short clips is YouTube captioning.
2. Benefit
Panopto has automatic captioning available.
3. Ownership
End User is required to use tools to create and edit content
4. Cost
Panopto is a campus solution
5. Toolkits and resources
Accessibility- Video Captioning
6. Additional Information
Panopto Accessibility Features
Verbit
1. Use Case
Ideal for short turn around time. Verbit is a 3rd party transcription and captioning service that specializes in Higher Education content. Transcribing is double checked by a human reviewer before client receives completed work.
2. Benefit
Upload your video and audio files to the vendor. You can monitor the status, download captions/transcripts, and edit captions after they have been processed.
3. Ownership
Paid service vendor will complete for a fee. Minimum 8 hour turnaround or 5 business days.
4. Cost
You will be required to login to view pricing. Pricing Information
Departments are responsible for the charges.
6. Additional Information
NA
3Play Media
1. Use Case
Ideal for for highly technical or specialized academic content supporting diverse speakers, various accents and dialects. 3Play Media is a third party transcription & captioning service.
2. Benefit
Upload your video and audio files to the vendor. You can monitor the status, download captions/transcripts, and edit captions after they have been processed.
3. Ownership
Paid service vendor will complete for a fee- minimum 2 hour to 5 day turn around time.
4. Cost
You will be required to login to view pricing. Pricing Information
Departments are responsible for the charges.
5. Additional Information
NA
Reference Material from Other Universities
WebAIM - Utah State University - Captions, Transcripts, and Audio Descriptions
Eastern Michigan University - Creating Accessible Resources
Michigan State University - A Guide For Captioning Video
Penn State Captioning Guidelines and Policy
University of Iowa - Captioning and Transcription
University of Michigan - Captioning