Mobile | Tablet | Web | TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What are subtitles and captioning?
Subtitles are transcriptions of dialog, whereas Captions are written descriptions of relevant audio, e.g., "suspenseful music" or "whistle blows." Both transcriptions are synchronized with the video and support live and video-on-demand (VOD) content.
By default, subtitles and captioning are disabled; however, operators can choose to specify a language for videos that display when the video stream loads via APIs.
The subtitles and captioning panel supports Text-to-Speech (TTS). Learn more about this in our accessibility article.
Supported subtitle and captioning formats
DIVA supports the following subtitle formats:
WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks)
SRT (SubRip Subtitle)
Does the Audio and Subtitles icon always appear?
No, the Audio and Subtitles icon is dynamic, meaning if a language selection is available, the icon appears. If language selection is not available, the icon is not visible.
The Audio and Subtitles icon supports three states:
State | Icon | Description |
|---|---|---|
Default |
| No audio track applied to the video. |
Hover |
| A tooltip displays when icon is hovered over. |
Active |
| Audio track applied to the video. |
To learn about audio track selection, read our audio tracks article.
Can I change the subtitles and captioning language?
Yes, enable, switch language, or disable subtitles and captioning if alternate options exist - these changes apply for the duration of the current DIVA session.
Language options reflect those available in the selected video stream. The language selection made saves locally and applies when loading subsequent videos in the same DIVA session. To save the language options across different DIVA sessions, DIVA has to be integrated to listen to two callbacks: (onPreferredCC) and (onPreferredAudioTrack), informing the application of the language choice, and storing it for reuse across sessions.
If an operator specifies a default language for the newly selected video, this language takes precedence.
If the language does not exist for the newly selected video, subtitles and captioning are disabled.
Select an option below to see an example of this feature:
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on Android
Compatibility notes:UX/UI improvements as of the Android 5.2 release.
Tap anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
Tap the Audio and Subtitles icon
at the top of the screen. If additional subtitle languages are available, a chevron icon appears.Tap Subtitles to display the sub-menu of alternate languages.
Select an alternate language from the available options. Upon selection, a tick icon displays. The change is saved locally and applied when loading streams. By default, subtitles are set to Off — this is configurable based on client requirements.
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on iOS and iPadOS
Compatibility notes:UX/UI improvements as of the iOS 5.2 release.
Tap anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
Tap the Audio and Subtitles icon
at the top of the screen. The currently selected subtitle language displays on the right side of the menu. If additional subtitle languages are available, a chevron icon appears.Tap Subtitles to display the sub-menu of alternate languages.
Select an alternate language from the available options. Upon selection, a tick icon displays. The change is saved locally and applied when loading streams. By default, subtitles are set to Off - this is configurable based on client requirements.
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on Responsive mobile
Compatibility notes:UX/UI improvements as of the Web 5.2 release.
Tap anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
Tap the Audio and Subtitles icon
at the bottom of the screen. The currently selected subtitle language displays on the right side of the menu. If additional subtitle languages are available, a chevron icon appears.Tap Subtitles to display the sub-menu of alternate languages.
Select an alternate language from the available options. Upon selection, a tick icon displays. The change is saved locally and applied when loading streams. By default, subtitles are set to Off - this is configurable based on client requirements.
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on Responsive tablet
Tap anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
Tap the Audio and Subtitles icon
at the bottom of the screen. The currently selected subtitle language displays on the right side of the menu. If additional subtitle languages are available, a chevron icon appears.Tap Subtitles to display the sub-menu of alternate languages.
Select an alternate language from the available options. Upon selection, a tick icon displays. The change is saved locally and applied when loading streams. By default, subtitles are set to Off - this is configurable based on client requirements.
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on Responsive web (desktop)
Compatibility notes:UX/UI improvements as of the 5.2 Web release.
Hover anywhere on the screen to display player controls.
Select the Audio and Subtitles icon
at the bottom of the screen. The currently selected subtitle language displays on the right side of the menu. If additional subtitle languages are available, a chevron icon appears.Select Subtitles to display the sub-menu of alternate languages.
4. Select an alternate language from the available options. Upon selection, a tick icon displays. The change is saved locally and applied when loading streams. By default, subtitles are set to Off - this is configurable based on client requirements.
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on WebTV
Compatibility notes:Accessibility features included as part of the WebTV 5.2 release.
Notes:
Content pauses while the subtitles and captioning panel displays.
WebTV does not currently support switching video streams within the same DIVA session.
Read the accessibility article for subtitles and captioning enhancements.
See our accessibility article for subtitles and captioning enhancement options.
Using the remote:
Select up/down arrows to display player controls.
Select the left arrow to navigate to the subtitles icon
Select the OK button with the subtitles icon in focus to display the subtitles panel.
Select up/down arrows to choose a preferred language option or to disable subtitles.
Select the OK button with the preferred language option highlighted.
Select the left arrow or the back button to exit the subtitles panel.
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on Android TV
Note: content pauses while the subtitles and captioning panel displays.
See our accessibility article for subtitles and captioning enhancement options.
Using the Android circular remote control:
Select up/down to display player controls.
Select left to navigate to the subtitles icon
Select the middle button with the subtitles icon in focus to display the subtitles panel.
Select up/down to choose a preferred language option or to disable subtitles.
Select the middle button with the preferred language option highlighted.
Select left or the back button to exit the subtitles panel.
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on tvOS
Compatibility information: DIVA supports tvOS 15+
Apple TV uses automatic subtitles, Closed Captions, and Subtitles.
Automatic subtitles are applied automatically and are managed within the native tvOS settings. Subtitles display in the device's preferred language. For more information, refer to the Apple TV App User Guide: Turn on Closed Captions and SDH.
Subtitles and Closed Captions: For information, refer to the Apple TV User Guide: Control what's playing on the Apple TV app: Turn on Subtitles and Closed Captioning (if available)
See our accessibility article for subtitles and captioning enhancement options.
Subtitles and Closed Captions on tvOS 15 (language options display if available):
Example showing Closed Captions on tvOS:
Managing Subtitles and Captioning on Roku
Note: Content pauses while the subtitles and captioning panel displays.
See our accessibility article for subtitles and captioning enhancement options.
To manage subtitles and captioning, using the Roku remote control:
Select the up arrow to display player controls.
Select the left arrow to navigate to the subtitles icon
Select OK with the subtitles icon in focus to display the subtitles panel.
Select up/down arrows to choose a preferred language option or to disable subtitles and captioning.
Select OK with the preferred language option highlighted.
Select the left arrow or the back button to exit the subtitles and captioning panel.