Captions on the web and FCC compliance

The text discusses the differences between captions and subtitles, their importance in accessibility, and how to deliver them while adhering to FCC regulations. Captions are designed for deaf or hard-of-hearing users, providing information about audio content such as music and sound effects, whereas subtitles translate spoken dialogue into a different language. Both can be thought of as "Timed Text Tracks" with corresponding time codes. FCC regulations require that any content first broadcast over terrestrial television with closed captions must also have those captions available when subsequently made available over the internet. The quality of these captions should be maintained, which means they should support features like different background and foreground colors, as well as roll-up support. There are several options for displaying captions on the web: CEA 608/708, WebVTT, and IMSC-1. While some players may not directly support these formats, there are JavaScript implementations available to help with compatibility. The current best practice is to preserve 608/708 captions wherever possible and use video players that support them. If this isn't an option, WebVTT is the most popular format, but IMSC1 is gaining ground due to its compatibility with media production companies and ease of deployment. In conclusion, while there are challenges in maintaining caption quality across different platforms, captions are now broadly supported by video players and browsers.