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DVB Subtitling
Ronan Lhostis, May 2013
>> www.thomson-networks.com
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INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. CURRENT PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS ............................................................................................................ 3
1.1 PREPARATION OF SUBTITLES....................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 CONTROLLING & GENERATING DVB SUBTITLES ............................................................................................................. 5
1.3 GETTING MPEG-2 TS PACKETS.................................................................................................................................. 5
2. SIMPLIFY THE ARCHITECTURE......................................................................................................................... 6
3. GET BETTER PERFORMANCE ........................................................................................................................... 8
4. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................. 9
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INTRODUCTION
DVB subtitling is a standard for conveying subtitles along with compressed video and audio in MPEG
transport streams (TS). It is a format for closed captions, i.e. captions not visible in the video, and described in
ETSI 300 743 standard.
While this standard defines two ways of carrying subtitles – code-based and bitmap – the latter is the most
common and bitmap format is intended when referring to DVB subtitles. In this way, DVB subtitling differs
from other popular formats such as line 21 closed captioning or EBU teletext, both of which are character-
code based standards.
Carrying bitmaps instead of character codes gives broadcasters control over how subtitles are rendered on
TV sets. The font, margins and background transparency are among the operator-defined parameters.
Consequently, different presentations are possible for subtitles depending on the audience. Subtitles
intended for the hearing-impaired can use a black background while subtitles for dialog translation in foreign-
language movies are shown without. Vertical adjustment can be customized to avoid channel logo overlay for
instance (see figure 1).
Another advantage of DVB subtitles is that any type of language can be supported since TV sets or decoders
do not need to embed all the character tables to convert character code-based subtitles into bitmaps.
DVB subtitling is well suited to broadcasting Asian and Middle East languages (Hebrew and Arabic languages).
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For live events the workflow involves a speaker watching live video and saying the text to convert into
subtitles. Voice recognition software converts speech into text strings. If required a script person performs
live conversion of translation errors and can adjust appearance on the fly. The resulting text strings are then
sent to the subtitling generator. Teletext format can also be used as a delivery format (see figure 3).
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Playout /
SDI/HD-SDI
Audio &
Video Center Compressed
Video Decoder
PCR Audio & Video
Teletex
Timecode
Extractor
Multiplexor
DVB Subtitle
Multiplexor TS packets
Archive Subtitle Controller & DVB DVB subtitles
Subtitle files Subtitle Generator
Live Subtitling
Workflow
Automation
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The subtitling multiplexer uses the output of the encoding sub system to read the PCR, creating a loop in
the workflow.
Moreover manual adjustments are required depending on compression delay in the encoding process and
data transfer time between the injector and multiplexer.
When back-up is required the solution is more costly. This is why some customers decide not to back up
subtitling generation and hope that all goes well.
The Thomson Video Networks end-to-end solution consists of moving DVB subtitling generation to the video
encoder on the headend platform and embedding subtitling data in the SDI (see figure 5).
A single interface connects the playout center and the headend platform. Teletext format (OP-47 and SMPTE-
2031 for HD-SDI) is used to convey subtitles in the SDI ensuring synchronization between video and subtitles.
Extensions compatible with teletext format via X31 packet mode allow Unicode character sets to be supported
for Asian languages.
Workflow at the playout center end is simplified. DVB subtitling generation disappears and the teletext
extractor is no longer needed. A teletext inserter is required to embed subtitles for archived files and live
workflows.
On the headend platform the architecture is reduced without the need for a DVB subtitling multiplexer.
Archived
Subtitle files Subtitle Controller
Live Subtitling
Workflow
Automation
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When broadcasters are not using live subtitling and are storing subtitles on video servers as Teletext data, the
workflow is reduced to a minimum with no specific device for the playout (see figure 6).
TS packets Multiplexor
Figure 6 - Workflow for cases with subtitles stored as Teletext on video servers
and no live subtitling required
Operations are also far easier. There is no need to indicate the video compression delay or to set up an offset
between the PCR and PTS of subtitle packets since all these data are known by the encoder (see figure 7).
Simulcast of DVB subtitles with other closed caption formats is possible and is managed from a single interface.
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Integrating DVB subtitle generation into the encoder paves the way for new possibilities such as combining
teletext and video in one statistical multiplexing pool.
The bitrate used by DVB subtitle data is highly variable. Depending on the event, it can vary between 0 kbit/s
(no subtitles, during ads for instance), 20 kbit/s for a movie with one subtitle language track or close to 200
kbit/s for an event with live subtitles (also called cumulative or progressive subtitles).
Deploying a scheduling system to optimize bandwidth usage is not only costly but also fairly difficult to
synchronize since DVB subtitling usage depends on the broadcast event.
Usually broadcasters plan for the worst-case scenario. But when subtitling is not present or bitrate is lower
than maximum, stuffing packets are generated.
Thomson Video Networks encoders using FlexService technology dynamically detect the bitrate required by
DVB subtitling data before finalizing video encoding. Thus video encoding can take advantage of unused bitrate
resulting in optimized bandwidth usage and enhanced video quality.
On a typical terrestrial multiplex, on average this technology can restore 5% to video encoding.
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4. CONCLUSION
CONTACT INFORMATION
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