Thread Subject: Re: "FCC Basis For Functional Equivalent"

Note

This archival content is maintained by WebAIM and NCDAE on behalf of TEITAC and the U.S. Access Board . Additional details on the updates to section 508 and section 255 can be found at the Access Board web site.

From: Larry Goldberg
Date: Tue, Aug 07 2007 3:20 PM

For tomorrow's conference call, here is a new rewrite I've written to
incorporate the full FCC DTV CC requirements crafted to match TEITAC's
approach, plus an interoperability clause.

Phone info is on the Wiki.

- Larry


TEITAC definition of "Functional Equivalent" to CEA 708 caption data format

Equivalent text display functionalities must:

? support caption placement control by caption authors for any position
within the TV safe area.

? support standard, large, and small caption sizes and must allow the
caption author to choose a size and allow the viewer to choose an
alternative size.

? support eight font variations. Caption authors may specify one of these
eight font styles to be used to write caption text. Equivalents must include
the ability for users to choose among the eight fonts. The equivalent must
display the font chosen by the caption author unless the user chooses a
different font.

? support the eight font styles defined as follows: default (undefined),
monospaced with serifs (similar to Courier), proportionally spaced with
serifs (similar to Times New Roman), monospaced without serifs (similar to
Helvetica Monospaced), proportionally spaced without serifs (similar to
Arial and Swiss), casual font type (similar to Dom and Impress), cursive
font type (similar to Coronet and Marigold), and small capitals (similar to
Engravers Gothic).

? support author and user choice of eight character foreground and eight
character background colors: white, black, red, green, blue, yellow, magenta
and cyan).

? support author and user selection of character and background opacity
options: SOLID, TRANSLUCENT, TRANSPARENT [FLASH option deleted]

? support options for altering the appearance of caption character edges.

? support the authoring and selection of the six caption services, but
information from only one service need be displayed at a given time.

? include an option that permits a user to choose a setting that will
display captions as intended by the caption provider (a default).
Equivalents must also include an option that allows a viewer's chosen
settings to remain until the viewer chooses to alter these settings,
including during periods when the video source device is powered off.

? support interoperability and conversion between other common caption
formats such as CEA 608, CEA 708, Timed Text (DFXP).





Jasionowski, Tony wrote:

> Folks,
> As we discussed last Wed., the FCC's 2000 Order on DTV closed captions
> included the below summary of requirements. We feel these could be the basis
> of what is required to define a "functional equivalent" to CEA-708.
>
> Let's discuss during today's 3PM AV call.
>
> Thanks.
> Paul Schomburg
> Tony Jasionowski
> Panasonic
>
> SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
>
> Based on the comments received, in this Order we the following requirements:
>
> Decoder Operation
>
> The Order adopts the requirement of Section 9 of EIA-708, with the following
> modifications:
>
> § Decoders must support the standard, large, and small caption sizes
> and must allow the caption provider to choose a size and allow the viewer to
> choose an alternative size.
>
> § Decoders must support the eight fonts listed in EIA-708.[1] Caption
> providers may specify 1 of these 8 font styles to be used to write caption
> text. Decoders must include the ability for consumers to choose among the
> eight fonts. The decoder must display the font chosen by the caption provider
> unless the viewer chooses a different font.
>
> § [1] The eight font styles are defined as follows: default
> (undefined), monospaced with serifs (similar to Courier), proportionally
> spaced with serifs (similar to Times New Roman), monospaced without serifs
> (similar to Helvetica Monospaced), proportionally spaced without serifs
> (similar to Arial and Swiss), casual font type (similar to Dom and Impress),
> cursive font type (similar to Coronet and Marigold), and small capitals
> (similar to Engravers Gothic). In parentheses following each font style is a
> reference to one or more fonts which are similar to the style.
>
> § Decoders must implement the same 8 character background colors as
> those that Section 9 requires be implemented for character foreground (white,
> black, red, green, blue, yellow, magenta and cyan).
>
> § Decoders must implement options for altering the appearance of
> caption character edges.
>
> § Decoders must display the color chosen by the caption provider, and
> must allow viewers to override the foreground and/or background color chosen
> by the caption provider and select alternate colors.
>
> § Decoders must be capable of decoding and processing data for the six
> standard services, but information from only one service need be displayed at
> a given time.
>
> § Decoders must include an option that permits a viewer to choose a
> setting that will display captions as intended by the caption provider (a
> default). Decoders must also include an option that allows a viewer's chosen
> settings to remain until the viewer chooses to alter these settings, including
> during periods when the television is turned off.
>
>

WebAIM is an initiative of:
Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) Utah State University