Q. Can EZCaption create captions for Windows Media Player (WMV)?

A. Yes. As a matter of fact, the WMV file format is only one of several rich, multi-media and DVD captioning formats supported by EZCaption 6.0.

Q. Does EZCaption 6.0 do Pop-On captions?

A. Yes. When used with broadcast encoders, EZCaption 6.0 can do either Pop-On captions, or roll-up captions. When used to create rich media captioning, EZCaption 6.0 can do pop-ons if the file format being used permits them (not all do).

Q. Are roll-up captions limited to three lines in the lower third of the screen (like the evening News programs)?

A. No. When used with broadcast encoders, with a little tweaking of the script, you can do 2, 3, or 4 line rollups and place them anywhere you wish within the Screen Display Area. When used to create rich, multi-media files, number of lines and positioning of the roll-up are set with a few mouse-clicks.

Q. What encoders does EZCaption 6.0 work with?

A. We design and test our software to work with encoders from Link Electronics. On the other hand, we have not found an encoder yet that EZCaption 6.0 cannot interface with.

Q. Does EZCaption 6.0 use SMPTE time code?

A. No, but EZCaption 6.0 does have built-in technology that utilizes 'centi-seconds' (time measured in hundredths of a second). A major advantage of EZCaption 6.0 is that there is no peripheral hardware (time-code generators and readers) required, yet the end product can easily be synchronized to the video.

Q. Is EZCaption a new product?

A. Yes ... and ... No. It is new in the sense that EZCaption XP V5.0 was the first standalone version of EZCaption. Automated Data Systems released the first EZCaption software in October, 1999. Originally, EZCaption was available only as an optional module in our EZNews Newsroom Production and Automation system, and as an optional module in EZPrompt 6/0. The release of EZCaption 6.0 is the first release to support rich, multi-media and DVD captioning.

Q. What else (in addition to EZCaption installed on my Windows computer) do I need to Close caption my Show (my video) ?

A. That depends on whether you are captioning for broadcast, or for rich, multi-media:

• Script (Word document or text file) of your presentation).
• Closed Caption Encoder
• A serial cable from the EZCaption 6.0 computer attached to the encoder's serial port.
• Video source running into the encoder.
• Video recorder (server, VTR, etc.) attached to the encoder's output

• Access to your video (either on your computer or on a network).
• Script (Word document or text file) of your presentation).
• No special cables, hardware, etc!

Q. How do I get the CC onto the video?

A. In a broadcast application, that's what the encoder does. As the video is fed into the encoder, EZCaption 6.0 sends corresponding data from your script (Word document, text file, etc.) to the encoder. The encoder inserts the data into line 21 of the VBI (vertical blanking interval) and sends it to the recording device.

In a rich, multi-media application, EZCaption 6.0 creates files that meet the requirements of the format you choose. The files are created on your computer, and when placed in the same folder with the video or movie file, the end-user's player opens and plays them automatically.

Q. Do I need another Computer for EZCaption if I use a PC to store and playback my video (ie Adobe premiere)?

A. That depends on two things:

1. The operating system on the computer you are using (must be running Windows).
2. The hardware resources (CPU, RAM, and available serial port).

Q. What is the best way to control the output to my broadcast encoder.

A. The Help utility (distributed with EZCaption 6.0 and available online) details the keys used to control output to the broadcast encoder. EZCaption 6.0 works best in scripts that have short paragraphs. As a practical matter, you have the most control over the rate at which your caption text is released if every sentence in your script is a paragraph. Long paragraphs are all sent to the encoder as soon as the first character in the paragraph is sent. If the paragraph contains multiple sentences, all of the data in that paragraph must be processed by the encoder before you regain control of the output

Q. Will EZCaption 6.0 run on a Mac?

A. EZCaption 6.0 was designed and written as a Windows application. We have received reports that some users have used Windows emulators on Mac computers (Wine, CrossOver, etc.), however none of these have been tested by our technical staff and therefore are not supported. Caveat emptor.

Q. Will EZCaption 6.0 run on one of the new Intel-based Macs ... one of the new Macs that can now boot Windows XP?

A. The short answer is ... we don't know. Intel-based Macs running Windows amount to a new platform and environment, and until we have completed more extensive testing we cannot assure any level of compatibility. Caveat emptor.