Caption QC & Conformance
A caption file can look perfect in an editor and still fail on a broadcast decoder. I run an independent QC pass that decodes both CEA-608 and CEA-708, checks positioning, reading order, timing and spec conformance with caption-inspector, CCExtractor and ffmpeg, then redeliver corrected files with a decode report.
Drag to compare the flagged caption and the corrected two-liner.
What you receive
Spec checklist
How it works
Scope and spec
You send the video and target profile. I confirm frame rate, timecode, caption style and the delivery formats you need.
Author
I time and write the captions or subtitles to the reading-speed, line-length and positioning rules for the target.
Encode and wrap
I produce the deliverables: SCC, MXF OP1A embed, SMPTE ST 2052-1 or DCP XML, plus a burned-in preview.
QC and deliver
I decode the result independently with caption-inspector, fix anything that drifts, and deliver with a report.
Three-layer QC before anything ships
Broadcast and cinema files fail on decoders, not in an editor preview. Every delivery goes through three passes and an independent decode.
1. Rough pass
Spot and draft every caption against the script, source audio and shot changes.
2. Alignment and timing
Tune reading speed, line breaks and positioning; align to shot changes and clear names and lower-thirds.
3. Independent senior QC
Decode the result on a separate decoder, check conformance to the target spec, and sign it off.
Indicative rate
Per project or per hour
Related captioning services
Frequently asked questions
What do you check in a caption QC pass?
I decode the 608 and 708 tracks independently, then check text accuracy, reading order, positioning over lower-thirds, timing, event gaps and durations, and conformance to the target spec (broadcast SCC/MXF or a DCP profile).
Which tools do you use?
caption-inspector (the Comcast open-source decoder) for an independent 608/708 read, plus CCExtractor, ffmpeg, Subtitle Edit, Aegisub and Adobe Premiere Pro. Using a decoder that is separate from the authoring tool is what catches problems an editor preview hides.
Can you fix the problems you find, not just report them?
Yes. I redeliver corrected SCC, MXF or subtitle XML alongside the decode report, so the file is ready to air, not just documented.
⏱ Typical response within 10 minutes