- Shortly, closed and open captions are very similar
- Subtitles are a completely different thing.
In this guide, my team and I will settle the debate — we’ll teach you everything about open/closed captions and what sets them apart.
Related Guide: Differences between subtitles and captions.
Key Takeaways
The Answer: Open captions can’t be turned off, while closed captions can be.
- Open captions are permanently displayed on the video and can’t be turned off, ensuring visibility for all viewers.
- Closed captions can be toggled on or off by the viewer and include additional information like sound effects, making them more flexible.
These subtle differences are crucial depending on your content’s target audience and viewing platforms.
The Differences: Open vs Closed Captions
Captioning is the process of adding text to a video or audio content that displays the spoken dialogue, sounds, and other relevant audio information.
Here are the main differences:
Feature | Open Captions | Closed Captions |
---|---|---|
Visibility | Always visible; cannot be turned off | Can be toggled on or off by the viewer |
Accessibility | Accessible to everyone | Primarily for the deaf and hard of hearing |
Language Options | Often provides translations directly | Can offer multiple languages |
Format | Burned into the video | Available in various formats (e.g. SRT) |
Style | Can be stylized in terms of font and color | Standardized appearance, less customizable |
Content | Only includes dialogue | Includes dialogue, sound effects, and speaker identification |
Though, this is another “short” way of answering this question.
Join me and let’s go in-depth on the differences between the two caption styles.
1. What are Closed Captions?
Answer: Closed captions are a text representation of the audio content in a video, designed primarily for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
They can be toggled on or off, providing accessibility features that include not just spoken dialogue but also descriptions of sound effects, music cues, and speaker identification, enhancing the viewing experience for all audiences.
Example: Below is a video with closed captions.
To turn on captions on YouTube, just click the “CC” icon like we did in the image above. This feature works for any YouTube video!
Pros of Closed Captions:
- User Control: Viewers can toggle them on or off based on their preference.
- Accessibility: Provides essential support for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
- Multiple Languages: Often available in different languages, catering to a broader audience.
- Detailed Information: Includes not only dialogue but also sound effects and speaker identification.
- Less Intrusive: Can be hidden when not needed, allowing for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
Cons of Closed Captions:
- Requires Settings Adjustment: Viewers must actively turn them on, which some may forget or overlook.
- Compatibility Issues: May not be available on all platforms or devices, limiting access.
- Potential for Inconsistency: Quality and accuracy of captions can vary depending on the source.
- Distraction: Some viewers may find captions distracting, especially if they prefer to focus solely on visuals.
2. What are Open Captions?
Answer: Open captions are text overlays permanently embedded in a video that display the spoken dialogue and relevant audio information.
Unlike closed captions, they cannot be turned off, ensuring that all viewers, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, see the captions regardless of their preferences.
Example: Movies at the cinema have open captions → they’re constantly there and you can’t remove them (unless you’re watching a movie without captions).
More about this example here: nyc.gov/captions.
Pros of Open Captions:
- Always Visible: Captions are permanently displayed, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.
- No User Action Required: Viewers don’t need to adjust settings to see the captions.
- Consistency: Provides a uniform viewing experience across all devices and platforms.
- Useful for Translations: Often used for foreign language content, allowing viewers to read translations directly.
- Enhances Engagement: Can help keep viewers engaged by providing context and clarity.
Cons of Open Captions:
- No Control: Viewers cannot turn them off, which may annoy those who prefer not to see captions.
- Potentially Cluttered Visuals: Can obstruct the view of important visuals in the video.
- Limited Customization: Styling options are often fixed, lacking the flexibility of closed captions.
- May Not Suit All Content: Some types of videos or genres may not benefit from open captions, potentially affecting the viewing experience.
FAQ: Captioning
1. Should I use open or closed captions?
Answer: Use closed captions if you want to provide viewers the option to toggle them on or off, enhancing accessibility while keeping visuals clear.
Open captions are ideal for ensuring all viewers see the text, especially in multilingual contexts or where accessibility is a priority.
2. What is the difference between OC and CC movies?
Answer: The difference between open caption (OC) and closed caption (CC) movies lies in how the captions are presented.
- Open caption movies have captions permanently displayed on the screen and cannot be turned off, ensuring visibility for all viewers.
- Closed caption movies allow viewers to toggle captions on or off, providing flexibility and catering to individual preferences.
3. What is the difference between open caption and closed caption theater?
Answer: The difference between open caption and closed caption theaters lies in how the captions are presented during a film screening.
- Open Caption Theater: Captions are permanently displayed on the screen for the entire audience, ensuring that everyone can see them regardless of their preferences.
- Closed Caption Theater: Captions can be turned on or off by the viewer, typically displayed through special devices or screens, allowing individuals to control their viewing experience.
Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort