Softel today announced that it is working to streamline closed caption workflow throughout the editing process on Avid® video editing workstations. The two companies are collaborating to develop a plug-in based on Softel’s Swift vTX software, allowing users of Avid Media Composer®, Symphony™ and NewsCutter® solutions to import and export subtitle/caption files and accurately preserve caption data throughout the editing process.

The plug-in will allow edits made to video content to be mirrored automatically in the closed caption data, ensuring transmission integrity. Previously, the asynchronous nature of the closed caption data could lead to missing or incorrect captions due to the process of video editing. To overcome this, audio and video are wrapped in MXF format, and the separate files are linked together in an AAF master clip file for convenience. Users will have access to flexible and precise handling of the data, with the ability to associate caption data with video or audio cuts.

“Softel is an expert in closed captioning and subtitling and has been an innovator in this domain for more than 25 years,” says Sam Pemberton, Softel CEO. “The flexibility of Softel Swift vTX will provide Avid video editing customers with true peace of mind in dealing with caption data and ensure an efficient caption workflow during editing.”

Swift vTX is the leading solution for ancillary data processing – such as for captions and subtitles – in tapeless workflows, enabling “early” or “late” binding of captions or subtitles to content on to digital asset management systems (DAMS) or media servers. Swift vTX provides faster-than-real-time processing, seamless integration with automation systems and “at a glance” management, enhancing productivity while significantly reducing operational costs.

“Avid is committed to delivering open, efficient editing workflows that help our customers to be more productive,” says Dave Colantuoni, senior manager, product marketing at Avid. “By collaborating with Softel, we will provide our customers with an easy-to-use plug-in to ensure accurate closed caption data throughout the editing process, eliminating time-consuming back and forth.”

More information on Softel products is available at www.softelgroup.com or www.softel-usa.com and via e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at +1 203 354 4602 (for the Americas) and +44 118 984 2151 (for APAC and EMEA).