One of the major advantages of iCap over previous generation captioning systems is a fast-switching, easy-to-use system for organizing multiple encoders (physical or virtual) into a group that will receive the same live caption feed from a single transcription operator. This is a common need in large network video systems, where regional linear feeds may play the same programs simultaneously during some events, while playing different programs or using time offsets in other day parts. Even when playing a program that is substantially similar, different feeds may have localized graphics, live cut segments, and/or run different promotions.
Big budget sports broadcasts may even include regional feeds that are independently switched back and forth between different games ocurring simultaneously, with producers making fast judgment calls on which game is developing in a more exciting way to keep fans with varying geographic loyalties engaged in a day-long production. Any time a video signal was switched, the connections for live captioning also need to be switched to keep the correct transcription data flowing in to ecah region.
Feeding Multiple Encoders with POTS systems
Before iCap, systems for captioning were designed with an exclusively point-to-point architecture. A transcription system would connect, usually from the remote office of a trained operator, directly through a POTS modem line or a TCP/IP telnet port to a caption interpretation and video encoding device. Dialing additional modems required additional POTS lines and specialized software or hardware to clone transmissions across the lines. This technology was developed by many large caption service agencies, but was typically out of reach technologically and budgetarily for smaller independent providers. The systems generally had operational restrictions on the number of simultaneous connections that could be trunked, and the speed at which configurations could be altered. At minimum, switching a modem-based encoder from one feed to another would take 60 seconds in order for the original source to hang up the line, and a second source to dial the line and negotiate a stable connection.
Using iCap Access Codes
With iCap, each encoder and caption operator maintains an independent connection to one or more servers in the iCap cloud core. The concept of an Access Code connects operators with an encoder or group of encoders. Access Codes are maintained by the content provider's operations staff, and login access is granted to one or more service providers using the iCap Admin web interface. When an operator enters an Access Code they have the proper permissions to reach, they receive audio, video, and text feedback from the live program, and can take the write token and begin caption entry at program time.
Each Access Code has one “Primary Encoder” and can have any number of “Secondary Encoders” attached. Each of these encoders can be any model in any location – they only need to have an iCap account that is defined in the same Company group. The Primary Encoder will be the preferred source of program feedback to the captioner when available. Each Secondary Encoder receives a perfect copy of the caption data feed, and does not even required the bandwidth overhead of sending full program feedback. Both the caption operator and broadcast Master Control can use iCap tools to monitor and confirm that each intended encoder is connected up correctly and receiving captions.
One important concept to remember is that each encoder can be accessible in theory through several Access Codes. This just means the encoder can be reached as a member of multiple groups. This flexibility makes it easy to design iCap Access Codes for a variety of situations with ease.
iCap Access Code Design
There are two separate philosophies of setting up iCap Access Codes in a multi-feed network environment. For an example, let’s imagine we have a day of football games to broadcast, and four independent network feeds, one for each mainland US time zone – East, Central, Mountain, and West.
Option #1: Many Fixed Access Codes, Captioner Switches
In the first, which we’ll call “Many Fixed Access Codes”, Broadcast Operations will define ahead of time each combination of nets that might be chained together for captioning. Each of these combinations becomes an Access Code. So Operations goes to iCap Admin, and might create: EEGTV-E, EEGTV-C, EEGTV-M, EEGTV-W, EEGTV-EC (east primary, central secondary), EEGTV-WM (west primary, central secondary), and EEGTV-ALL (East primary, central, mountain, and west all secondary).
The day may begin with 3 different games on the air – one captioned through EEGTV-E, one through EEGTV-C, and a third through EEGTV-WM (going to both west and mountain feeds). Three transcribers are needed, and one captions through each Access Code.
Let’s say the East game ends first. At this point, after a commercial break, the Producer wants the East feed to also show the end of the Central game. The East captioner is no longer needed for the day. The Central captioner is asked to exit the EEGTV-C Access Code, and rejoin EEGTV-EC. This transition requires several seconds for the operator to choose the codes, which as we will see is avoidable through a different setup. Still, the transition cost is nowhere near the 60-90 seconds that would be required with a modem-based setup.
Finally, when the Central games ends also, the Central captioner is done for the day and the West captioner will need to switch Access Codes to EEGTV-ALL during a brief break.
The main advantage of this setup strategy is that no manipulation of Access Codes is required during the program or even from week to week – the setup can remain static. However, there is a requirement for prompt communication with the captioner requesting a change in codes, and a brief break in the program is required for the captioner to switch Access Codes. This communication can occur either through the Chat capability in iCap, or through external phone or messaging programs.
Option #2: Dynamic Access Codes, Master Control Switches
An alternative way to organize captioning for this sports event is to create Access Codes for each game or program instead of for each regional combination. For our example with three initial games, these might look like: EEGTV-G1, EEGTV-G2, EEGTV-G3. Operations staff would place the East encoder in G1, the Central encoder in G2, and the West and Mountain encoders in G3.
When all three games are active, a captioner connects to each Access Code and transcribes the games to their assigned nets. Now, when the East region Game 1 ends, the captioner in EEGTV-G1 will stop working, and the Operations staff will use iCap Admin to add the East encoder to EEGTV-G2. This addition takes effect immediately – the newly added encoder will begin receiving data from the second game captioner within seconds. No interruption to the Central net, which has stayed with the game, is necessary at all.
Once the 2nd game ends, the Operations staff will add both the East and Central encoders to EEGTV-G3. Again, there is no interruption to captioning for the nets that stayed with the game, and the new nets are connected within seconds.
The obvious advantage of dynamic Access Code configurations is that the captioning operators never need to change Access Codes or reconnect. Captioning can be completely continuous even as the Access Code membership is added to or subtracted from. However, Operations staff must be properly trained to make these configurations correctly during the On Air program.
There will also generally need to be a “reset” of the Access Codes once the schedule becomes available for the next week’s event. The same Access Code names could be used with the membership reset back to the opening configuration, or entirely different names could be created for Week 2.
Recommendations
We find that it is often easier for customers to rapidly understand and get started with a Static Access Code configuration. Since configuration is only done once, Operations staff will not need much training on iCap, and there may already be a high level of comfort interacting with caption providers during a program as a necessity from previous generations of less flexible dial-up systems. Those used to older systems will also understand the necessity of switching captioning connections during a commercial break, and may be glad to see that a smaller break is required with iCap than with a modem, and that there is a lower chance of accidental partial connections.
To take more advantage of the features of iCap, a dynamic Access Code configuration may be better for advanced users. This is a great solution if the program does not provide good opportunities to switch captioning connections during an appropriately timed commercial break. It also simplifies interactions with the captioning operator, reducing the chance of miscommunications with the provider. They may be amazed that their customer is now able to switch the captions around independently with just a few clicks!
Dynamic Access Code configurations also may be more manageable for cases where there are more than four regional nets and programming all the combinations in advance would be unwieldy. There is no limit on how many unique static Access Codes each company can create, but naming may get too confusing when the number is getting high. This problem can be eased by giving Access Codes easy-to-remember names corresponding to a specific game or show, and then assigning encoders as necessary.
With these two different approaches, we have tried to balance the operational needs of many different kinds of broadcasters and content providers. If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact EEG Support or Engineering!