TwigFarm, which operates the content localization solution 'LETR Works,' announced on the 16th the launch of a new service for creating CC (Closed Caption) and SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) subtitles.
According to TwigFarm, SDH subtitles are a service for people with hearing loss, providing not only voice information but also additional details about important sounds or background noises happening on screen. SDH subtitles, unlike regular subtitles, include information on environmental sounds, music, and special effects, helping the hearing impaired better understand video content. These subtitles are typically used in movies, TV shows, and other video content, and are essential for creating a barrier-free experience for the hearing impaired.
On the other hand, CC subtitles, short for 'Closed Captions,' are not visible by default and must be turned on through settings. They are commonly used on OTT platforms and YouTube, allowing viewers to choose when they want subtitles to be displayed. CC subtitles can include dialog, translations, and other captions that can be toggled on or off as needed.
TwigFarm highlighted some existing issues, noting that "Traditional CC and SDH subtitle work involves including speaker information, dialog content, background sounds, music, and special effects, making the process more costly than standard transcription work. Repeated transcriptions and CC work, along with the need for separate corrections when issues arise, have made the work environment cumbersome."
The new service offers features that allow the separate management of values for speakers and descriptions during subtitle creation. It enables consistent application throughout transcription, translation, and proofreading processes, making it easier to correct and manage subtitles. Users can now select and download the required formats—standard subtitles, CC subtitles, or SDH subtitles—with a single effort. Notably, the inclusion of speaker information in the dialog enhances the quality of translations, allowing translators to complete their work faster with minimal corrections.
Sunho Baek, CEO of TwigFarm, expressed gratitude for contributing to content barrier-free initiatives, saying, "We are glad to help break down barriers not only in language but also for the hearing impaired." He added, "LETR Works stores various meta-information related to videos. We are preparing to launch services based on this data, including speaker-based summaries and generation models, translation tools reflecting character speech styles, and search functionalities."