Dolby Screetalk

[espasonico]

Hello !

Do any of you have any experience with this system?

I have to deliver something for this format and nobody has a clue of how it works !!

[georgia]

It is conceptually very similar to DTS-CSS. started in 2003, closed caption track.ased around an off-the-shelf PC, Dolby ScreenTalk superimposes subtitles over the main picture, using either a customer-supplied video projector or the cinema's existing video projector. the ScreenTalk superimposes subtitles over the projected image using a video projector, or displays the text via an alternative subtitling device. There is no need for special prints; the film distributor simply provides the cinema, either electronically or via CD-ROM, a computer file containing the subtitling and audio description information for a particular release. The Dolby ScreenTalk system can also be used with a video projector to exhibit advertising slide shows. Cinema staff can assemble and load the shows using Dolby ST Media software supplied with the ScreenTalk package. For audience members with disabilities, the system interfaces with the cinema’s wireless headphone installation to transmit audio commentary directly to visually impaired patrons. Subtitles for the hearing impaired can be projected simultaneously, using a different color for each character’s dialogue
The ScreenTalk system operates in conjunction with a PC running Linux Dolby software. Projectionist control is provided by the Dolby Model ST100 System Controller, Timing information from the film’s Dolby Digital soundtrack links the subtitles and audio description to the film being shown. The Dolby ScreenTalk package also includes an electronically controlled douser (Dolby Cat. No. 765A), which is positioned in front of the video projector.

basically, you have to subcontract a captioning agency to do the format of the catpion required. ( single color, multicolor, with or without description service, etc ) they do the captioning and deliver a file to you to be delivered to Dolby. ( or DTS for DTS-CSS )... Also a creative ( director / producer ) needs to be involved to review and approve the closed captioned data and formats ) Once the production is ready to be captioned, the necessary work materials (Guide Image and final script) must be provided to the captioning agency. Each licensed captioning agency will have a preference in regard to format or delivery of the Guide Image (ie Digital Betacam, DVD, FTP etc). Check with your preferred agency for this information. T
The captioning agency creates the caption file and/or audio description file. This file(s) will be forwarded to your DVD authoring house or to DOLBY / DTS.... the materials include image, script, In/out timecodes for reels, video, etc...

Here's an overview of delivery specs I had in ym research library.

Captioning agency image delivery requirements
All deliverables to a captioning agency must be in accordance with the ‘Captioning
agency’ sections in the Captioning Process for Cinema and DVD pages.

Preferred image format is a low res MPEG 1 file but will accept:
•
– Digital Betacam
– MPEG 2
– QuickTime
– Betacam SP
– DVD
– DV
* Preferred script format is via email.

Digital Betacam transfer of consecutive film reels with burnt in timecode to match
•
the reels:
– For film delivery the Digital Betacam must run at appropriate frame rate for project, with burnt in
timecode.

The Captioning Studio
The Captioning Studio require delivery of:
Windows Media Video file or an MPEG 1 file or a DVD with in-vision timecode
•
matching the DTS timecode.
* Script in an electronic format.
DVDTech
DVDTech require delivery of:
MPEG1 or Windows Media Video files at 24fps of each spool, with in-vision
•
timecode matching the DTS timecode burnt in to the top right-hand corner as
follows:
Reel 1
01:00:02:00
Reel 2
02:00:02:00
Reel 3
03:00:02:00
Reel 4
04:00:02:00
Reel 5
05:00:02:00

Guide to Cinema Captioning
If this is unavailable DVDTech can accept a Digital Betacam with a timecode that
•
matches the DTS timecode.
* Electronic script if available.

POST-PRODUCTION SCRIPTS
Productions will need to provide the caption agency with the song title and artist
information. This could be included in the post-production script within the ‘shot
description’ column and should outline where the songs are used in the film. This
information should be provided to the person generating the post-production script.
Captioning agencies would also prefer to receive the post-production script as an
Excel or Word document rather than a PDF.


I thought the Dolby Screentalk was discontinued a year or so ago....( at least in the states ) i'd check with your client to assure you really have to deliver, or if the request is just stillin the spec but actually not required. ( side note: I think Lord of the rings was released with Screentalk in the UK ) so I may be blowing smoke here.

cheers
geo

[espasonico]

Thanks Georgia for your time.

The thing is that I have to deliver the audiodescription but noone knows wich format does the Screentalk need. I´ve been given a DVD with TC stamped but with a framerate of 25 ( we are in Europe ).

The only thing I know is that I need to deliver the audio following the film reels wich I don´t have. I talked to the video people and asked for the movie in reels and at 24 frames.

In theory, I have to make the audiodescription match the reels TC so I have to do an audiofile for each reel but I also need to put a beep before the 00 of each TC. I suppose that this might be usual when working with film but I have no clue where I have to place the beep. Don´t know if it´s 10 seconds before the 00 of each reel or where the hell .

It´s the first time I´m asked to do something like this. The ScreenTalk it´s been discontinued but the cinema is getting a second-hand one with computer and software.

Thanks once again

[georgia]

call the client. have a meeting and get the details. I would alos contact your local Dolby rep and nail this down before you start the delivery process. Better to get the detials than screw up a delivery. Tell your client what you need and tell them you can't start delivery until you have the appropriate information. Don't guess.

cheers
geo

[espasonico]

Originally Posted by georgia

call the client. have a meeting and get the details. I would alos contact your local Dolby rep and nail this down before you start the delivery process. Better to get the detials than screw up a delivery. Tell your client what you need and tell them you can't start delivery until you have the appropriate information. Don't guess.

cheers
geo

You are right but the thing is that the studio where I work is the one in charge of the ScreenTalk thing.

The big doubt now is if there is any standard time for making the reels sync. I don´t know how it works. Is there any beep before each reel?

Thanks again

[georgia]

so if I understand correctly, the client IS the theater? And your company has agreed to delivery a film with screentalk as one of the deliverables, and the studio has never done this before? ... ugh... Ok first and formost..


CALL DOLBY and find out exactly how you have to deliver to DOLBY to have them create the Screentalk materials for the 35mm print. If it's a DVD, you had better talk to the DVD mastering house... you are in a situtation that could get ugly.

cheers
geo

[espasonico]

Originally Posted by georgia

so if I understand correctly, the client IS the theater? And your company has agreed to delivery a film with screentalk as one of the deliverables, and the studio has never done this before? ... ugh... Ok first and formost..


CALL DOLBY and find out exactly how you have to deliver to DOLBY to have them create the Screentalk materials for the 35mm print. If it's a DVD, you had better talk to the DVD mastering house... you are in a situtation that could get ugly.

cheers
geo

It is already ugly !. People think that audio is just record and hit play and everything comes in perfect sync, sounding great and, of course, for cheap

[georgia]

Remember, a Dolby Screentalk deliverable is more than just audio for the descriptive track, it can includes visual narrative words in various colors for each actor, from the "as-edited" post production script...

cheers
geo

[espasonico]

Originally Posted by georgia

Remember, a Dolby Screentalk deliverable is more than just audio for the descriptive track, it can includes visual narrative words in various colors for each actor, from the "as-edited" post production script...

cheers
geo

That´s part of the subtitles for the deaf people

[georgia]

yup and that's still part of Dolby Screentalk.