Captions & Translations FAQ

 

Caption Overview

What types of captioning services does CASTUS offer?
CASTUS offers two main captioning services: live captioning and file-based captioning. Additionally, a combined live and file-based translation service is available.

How does CASTUS live captioning work?
CASTUS live captioning operates by transmitting an audio stream from your CASTUS server (QuickRoll, QuickCast, or Mini) to the cloud. The cloud processes the audio to generate captions, which are then sent back to the CASTUS server for live display. These captions can also be recorded in formats such as .mcc, .scc, .vtt, and transcript files during your live broadcast. To choose the caption file format for your input, refer to the section "Can I change the type of caption file that is recorded?" below.

How do CASTUS Cloud File-Based captions work?
CASTUS Cloud File-based captions work by analyzing the audio from your video file in the cloud. The system generates captions in .vtt format, which can be edited directly within the cloud interface. Once finalized, the captions are available for download and can be used on your server or during playback.

 

Live Captions

What services are required for CASTUS Live Captions?
To use the CASTUS live caption service, a live caption subscription is required. You’ll need to create a cloud account to manage your subscription, but a live streaming or video on-demand subscription is not required.  Please contact your account manager to learn more.

What Live Caption Packages Does CASTUS Offer?
CASTUS provides a variety of annual live captioning packages tailored to different usage needs. Our standard packages include:

• 200 hours
• 500 hours
• 1,000 hours

In addition to live captioning, we also offer file-based captioning and translation services (both live and file-based). If your organization requires a custom package, we’re happy to work with you to configure a plan that meets your specific needs.

For assistance in selecting the right package, please reach out to a CASTUS sales representative at sales@castus.tv.

How do I subscribe to a live caption package through CASTUS?
To subscribe to a live caption package or for more information, please email sales@castus.tv. When reaching out, include the email associated with your cloud account (if you have one) and specify the number of hours you would like to set as your annual cap. Please note that these packages are available on an annual basis.

How do I set up live captions on my server for the first time?
To set up the CASTUS live caption service on your server, go to CASTUS > Cloud Services. If you are not already logged in with your cloud account, select Setup Cloud Configuration and enter your CASTUS Cloud login credentials. Once this step is completed, you’re all set to start using live captions!

How do you enable captions for an input?
Captions are input-specific and must be enabled individually. If you see a message like “Not enabled in settings” next to the CC button on the controls page, captions need to be activated for that input. To enable them, go to CASTUS > Services > Inputs and select the settings icon for the input you’re working with. In the settings menu, type “caption” into the search box and locate the Enable Live Captioning option. Turn on the radio switch and apply your changes. Once this is done, return to the control window for the input, where live captions should now be enabled and ready to use.

How do I engage live captions?
To engage live captions, go to CASTUS > Services > Inputs and click the Controls icon for the input you're using. Once you have an active signal, you’ll see the option to engage the cc icon below the record button. Simply click the cc icon to start live captions.

Can I record live captions for replay on my channel(s)?
Yes, live captions will be automatically recorded when you record your input with captions enabled. Depending on your input settings, you may receive either embedded captions or a separate sidecar caption file once the recording is complete.

Can I change the type of caption file that is recorded?
Yes, you can change the caption file type. To do so, go to your input settings in version 4 of the interface. At the bottom of the settings, you'll find options for different caption types. Use the toggle to select your preferred option. If you're not familiar with version 4 of the interface, please contact support@castus.tv for assistance.

Can I change pop-on captions to roll-up captions or vice versa?
Yes, this option is available in software version 5.8.1 and higher. To change the caption style, go to the settings of your input, locate the Live Caption Style setting, and select either Rollup or Pop On, depending on your preference. This will record captions in the chosen style and ensure they play back in that format as well. If you are editing your .vtt caption files directly, it’s recommended to use the Pop On style to avoid duplicating lines unnecessarily. Rolling captions can create issues with certain systems, such as Granicus, so opting for Pop On ensures better compatibility and efficiency.

 

Caption Replay (Server)

What caption type is needed to display captions on cable TV?
All available caption types are compatible with cable TV playback. The .scc, .mcc, and .srt formats are natively supported for cable, while .vtt captions can be converted during playback.

How do I show captions for my pre-recorded video content during playback?
Captions for pre-recorded video can either be embedded directly into the video file or provided as a sidecar file. If you have a sidecar file in .mcc, .scc, .srt, or .vtt format, captions can be played back both on cable and online. For the system to recognize the caption file as associated with the video, the caption file must be in the same directory as the video and have the same name (except for the file extension). CASTUS will handle any necessary conversion for playback.

Can I upload my own caption file to my playback server?
Yes, you can upload your own caption file for replay on your channel. Supported formats include .scc, .mcc, .srt, and .vtt. To ensure the caption track pairs correctly with your video, name the caption file exactly the same as the video file (except for the extension) and store it in the same directory as the video file.

Which caption format has priority during playback?
When playing back on cable, the .mcc file type takes the highest priority, followed by .scc, .vtt, and finally .srt. Note that .srt files are not generated by CASTUS but may still be recognized during playback. To prioritize a specific caption file type, ensure that only one caption file (matching the name of your video) is in the directory. Rename or delete any other caption files in the directory to disconnect them from the video. This ensures the desired caption file is used during playback.

Can I edit my recorded captions for better accuracy?
Yes, if you recorded captions in the .vtt format, you can download the file and edit it using caption editing software. After making your changes, save the file as a .vtt and replace the original file on your server. However, if you recorded captions in .scc or .mcc formats, they are encoded and not as easily editable, though some specialized caption editing software may allow you to edit them. You may also be able to use TextEdit on a Mac or Notepad on a PC. Be sure to save as a .vtt plain-text file.

 

Captions for Video on-Demand

Do I need to use file-based captions in the cloud if I record live captions?
No, using file-based captions in the cloud is not necessary if you’ve already recorded live captions. The recorded caption file(s) will accompany your video file to Video on-Demand, provided the caption file shares the same name as the video and is located in the same directory when you select "Send to Video on-Demand." If your recorded captions are not in .vtt format, the server will automatically convert them to .vtt before sending.

What services are required for CASTUS File-Based Captions?
To use the CASTUS file-based caption service, a file-based caption subscription is required. You’ll need to set up a cloud account to manage your subscription, but a live or video on-demand subscription is not required. If you do not have a video on-demand subscription, you will need to have a cloud storage subscription to host your files that you want to caption. Please contact sales@castus.tv to learn more.

How do I download my caption file from the cloud?
There are two ways to download a caption file from the cloud. The first is to go into the caption editor and use the Download Captions button in the center. The second is to go to the public facing video page and choose Share and then select the CC button. If you have multiple languages, you’ll be prompted to choose your language. Otherwise the English captions will begin downloading automatically. 

 

Closed Captions vs. Open Captions

What are closed captions?
Closed captions are text displays of dialogue that viewers can enable or disable while watching TV or online videos. They provide accessibility by transcribing spoken words. Closed captions are the default.

What are open captions?
Open captions are permanently displayed on-screen and cannot be turned off by the viewer. They are embedded into the video, ensuring that all viewers see them.

How do I turn on and off open captions?
Open captions are controlled at the channel level. To enable or disable them, follow these steps:

1. Click the gear icon in the confidence monitor next to On Air for the channel you want to edit.
2. In the settings search bar, type Render EIA 608.
3. To turn on open captions, set this to CC1 for the primary caption track (English). Use CC2 - CC4 for additional translations if applicable, following the order they were entered when enabling your translations in the settings.
4. To turn off open captions, select Auto.
5. Select Apply to save after making changes.

 

General Caption Questions

Can I create a transcript from my caption file?
Yes, you can create a transcript file from your caption file. To do this, go to CASTUS > Services > Inputs, select Settings for the input you want to use, and enable the Captions to VTT Transcript File option. Once enabled, apply your changes, and the transcript will be generated alongside your recorded video during your next live captioning session. As of 04/25/2025, the timecodes in the caption file become less accurate the further you get into the video, and CASTUS is working to rectify this issue. 

How accurate are the live and file-based captioning services?
The CASTUS live and file-based captioning services are 95%+ accurate.

Can I improve accuracy of names and local dialect for my live and file-based captions?
Yes, you can enhance the accuracy of both live and file-based captions by utilizing custom dictionaries. To manage your dictionaries, log in to your cloud account and go to Captions > Caption Dictionaries. Here, you can add specific names, terms, or local dialect nuances to improve transcription accuracy. Please note that the currently active dictionary is indicated with a star. To switch to a different dictionary, simply ‘star’ the desired dictionary before using live or file-based captions.

 

Translations (Live and File-Based)

How do live translations work?
Live translations convert your live captioned text (English) into one or more languages of your choice. These translated captions are displayed alongside the original English captions and can be selected as an option for viewers on cable and online Video on Demand (VOD) platforms.

How do file-based translations work?
File-based translations process your English captions and translate them into your chosen language(s). The translated captions are then displayed alongside the English captions, allowing viewers to select their preferred language when engaging with your Video on-Demand (VOD) content.

Can I download my file-based translations?
Yes, you can download your file-based translations. To do so, go to the public-facing video and click the Share button. Then, select the CC icon. You’ll be prompted to choose the language you want to download. After selecting your desired language, click Download. Repeat this process for any additional languages you wish to download.

How many languages can I translate to at a time? 

• File-Based Translations: You can translate up to three languages at a time. To add more languages, return to the translation menu and select three additional languages. There is no limit to the total number of languages you can translate for a single video.
• Live Translations: There is no limit to the number of languages you can translate live. However, note the following:

• Cable Playback: Supports only Latin languages, with a maximum of three languages at a time.  NOTE: This is a limitation of Cable TV, not CASTUS.
• Cloud-Based Playback: Supports a broader range of languages with no specific limits.

What translations are available on cable?
Cable television has specific limitations based on captioning standards:

• 608 Captions: Support a total of four languages, with English as the first language, followed by three additional languages selected.
• 708 Captions: Support a total of six languages, with English as the first language, followed by five additional languages selected.

If more than the supported number of languages are selected, the additional languages will stream to the web but will not be included in the cable broadcast. The order in which you select the languages determines their availability, and any languages exceeding the limits mentioned will only appear on web streams.

What translations are available on the cloud portal?
The cloud portal supports live and file-based translations in over 70 languages, including: Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari, Dutch, Estonian, Farsi (Persian), Filipino (Tagalog), Finnish, French, French (Canada), Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hausa, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Malayalam, Maltese, Marathi, Mongolian, Norwegian (Bokmål), Pashto, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Spanish, Spanish (Mexico), Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, Vietnamese, and Welsh. If you need a language not listed here, you can reach out to support@castus.tv to request additional languages.

Do my live translations also appear on my YouTube livestreams?
Currently, captions and translations do not pass to YouTube livestreams due to the platform’s evolving technology. However, this functionality may be implemented in the future as the technology updates.

Do my live translations also appear on my Facebook, Roku, FireTV and AppleTV livestreams?
Yes, captions and translations pass through to Facebook, Roku, FireTV, and AppleTV on the live stream.

Are live and file-based translations separate services I need to subscribe to?
No, live and file-based translations are both included in the translation subscription. There is no need to subscribe to them separately.

Can I Test the CASTUS Captioning Service?
Yes! If you're interested in testing our live captioning service, simply reach out to us at sales@castus.tv, and we’ll coordinate a live captioning demonstration for you. We’re happy to help you experience the quality and accuracy of our service firsthand.