Understanding the diverse needs of subtitle users in a rapidly evolving media landscape

Armstrong, Mike, Brown, Andy, Crabb, Michael, Hughes, CJ, Jones, Rhianne and Sandford, James 2017, 'Understanding the diverse needs of subtitle users in a rapidly evolving media landscape' , SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal, 125 (9) , pp. 33-41.

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Abstract

Audiences are increasingly using services, such as video on demand and the Web, to watch television programs. Broadcasters need to make subtitles available across all these new platforms. These platforms also create new design opportunities for subtitles along with the ability to customize them to an individual’s needs. To explore these new opportunities for subtitles, we have begun the process of reviewing the guidance for subtitles on television and evaluating the original user research. We have found that existing guidelines have been shaped by a mixture of technical constraints, industry practice, and user research, constrained by existing technical standards. This paper provides an overview of the subtitle research at BBC R&D over the past two years. Our research is revealing significant diversity in the needs and preferences of frequent subtitle users, and points to the need for personalization in the way subtitles are displayed. We are developing a new approach to the authoring and display of subtitles that can respond to the user requirements by adjusting the subtitle layout on the client device.

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of Computing, Science and Engineering
Journal or Publication Title:	SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal
Publisher:	SMPTE
ISSN:	1545-0279
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	None
Depositing User:	Dr Chris Hughes
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2017 09:15
Last Modified:	10 Aug 2017 00:45
URI:	http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/41136

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