Subtitles are our friends

[bigboobedcanuck]

In looking back at Jason O'Mara's IMDB, I see he was in a mini-series called Berkeley Square. This is the kind of thing my parents (and I) love, and I was thinking this would be a great Xmas gift for the 'rents. But, of course, it seems there are no subtitles (thanks to a customer review that notes it), and I can't tell if there are even closed

Comments

[von_questenberg]

Wow, there really is no excuse for not having SDH. Come on, this is basic stuff. :(

[bigboobedcanuck]

You would not believe how many DVDs don't! Especially British ones. It's deeply frustrating.

At least now American studios are starting to put SDH on the special features as well. My dad loves special features, and in the past he's rarely been able to watch them because there are no subs. If it's something he really wants to see, I'll watch with him and we have to pause it every few seconds so I can tell him what they're saying, or I'll write it down.

[oh_amelia]

I think subtitles should be required on all DVDs.

[bigboobedcanuck]

Agreed!

[finnygan]

Wait - I remember watching that show. As far as I recall, I absolutely loved it and was very upset when there were no more episodes.

[bigboobedcanuck]

It sounds really good!

[eee1313]

Let me talk to the Scientist about this. I know his old Zenith tv subtitles when there are none, and sometimes we wind up with 2 sets of CC. I'll find out if he knows any workarounds...

And we've had this conversation many times, but still: YES.

[bigboobedcanuck]

Apparently Blu-Ray and HDMI cannot decode closed captions, which is an oversight of rather staggering fucking proportion. It explains why I can't play captions on DVDs anymore (since I have HDMI hook-up). My parents were visiting last year and I couldn't figure out why the captions on a DVD weren't showing up on my TV. I have to think there was/is a way to decode CCs with new technology; it's great that most movies now feature SDH, but there are many older DVDs that don't. Obviously.

Yes, as we've dicussed: GAH.

[eee1313]

The Scientist says that if you undo the HDMI and go back to coax cables (the three-prong red/yellow/white), then you'll get CC back. Of course, you'll lose definition with the hi-def TV, but that'll work for captions

[bigboobedcanuck]

Oh yeah, I figured I could go back to coax if my parents happened to be visiting and we were watching something that only had captions. :)

Yeah, my dad has an FM system that allows the sound from the TV to go straight into his hearing aids. It did indeed cost a small fortune! But it really helps. He's profoundly deaf without his hearing aids (I could stand right behind him and shout and he wouldn't hear me), and it's gotten worse as he's aged. So even with the sound coming right into his ears, he still needs captions.

My friend has Netflix and the movie selection is only okay, and I don't think they'd have a lot my dad would be interested in. :/

But thanks for all the suggestions and for asking the Scientist! I appreciate it. xo

[mech_bull]

I basically can't watch anything without subtitles or closed captioning anymore. Partly because I have trouble hearing it sometimes and partly because I'm not always watching with full attention, so if I miss a line I can usually still catch it before it goes off the screen. So, long story short, everything needs subtitles.

Especially British stuff (which are indeed much worse at putting them on there than American ones). Especially especially if the characters are speaking in anything other than "Queen's English."

[bigboobedcanuck]

Yes, sometimes I really have no clue what people are saying when they have a thick accent! I'm pretty good at the variety of UK accents, but I was recently watching a movie with a Scottish character and his accent was so thick I had no idea what he was saying half the time. But no subs, so I just had to guess based on context.