I was a bit sceptical when I first saw these two videos, but as I watched them I realised that both of them are onto something – creating a way of displaying subtitles in a cinema that only deaf people can see.
If they work, it’d mean that hearing people don’t complain about being distracted, and deaf people get to go to any film they like!
Could these two inventions revolutionise cinema-going for deaf folk? Watch the two videos below and tell us what you think.
Here’s the crowdfunding page for the above idea: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/off-screen-cinema-subtitle-system/x/3079020
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Ted Evans
April 30, 2013
Interesting idea and concept. I wonder if both groups know they are effectively working on the same idea? The only question I would ask is if the UV filter in the glasses effect the brightness or picture of the cinema screen in anyway? Does it mean we have to watch darker screens to be able to have these UV subtitles/captions? If it doesn’t then this is a great idea. I trailed some technology a while back and the biggest problem I had was prospective. You can’t focus on something close to you and far from you at the same time – it’s not possible for us humans… so this idea works very well in that the subtitles are placed very close to the screen. It’s not as good as having subtitles on screen, but this is a good substitute. Looks like our cinema club may no longer be required in the coming years… we’ll be able to see any film we like ; )
Editor
April 30, 2013
It’d be a shame to see the end of the film club though!
Ted Evans
April 30, 2013
There was only five of us there the other week : (
derekbrandon
April 30, 2013
That’s no different to most regular, non-subtitled cinema shows outside peak times!
derekbrandon
April 30, 2013
What’s great about these solutions is that they’re an update to the current, familiar cinema/TV/DVD/ method of ‘subtitles at the bottom of the picture’. Cheap, throwaway, ‘3D-style’ cinema glasses that make subtitles ‘appear’ along the bottom of the cinema screen, just under the image, would be fantastic. I just hope that the other necessary part – the part under the cinema screen where the subtitles appear, wirelessly connected to a digital cinema system – can be produced and installed in cinemas at a sensible cost. The product has got to be sellable!
Michael Cardosi
April 30, 2013
my first question – do they fit over people’s glasses?
Secondly they didn’t mention anything about the possible side effects of having UV rays beaming towards the audience. What is the radiation dosage? Is it minimal? They need to add that discussion to the video.
audioaccess
April 30, 2013
That’s a good point!
audioaccess
April 30, 2013
I don’t think it’s a great idea – why hide captions if they benefit so many people than just those who are deaf and hard of hearing? Also, those eyeglasses may cause frustrations to people who have color deficiencies and certain visual problems.
audioaccess
April 30, 2013
Why hide captions? They benefit more people than just those who are deaf and hard of hearing people. Also, open captions are much cheaper for theaters, too. Those eyeglasses may cause frustrations for people with color deficiencies and certain visual difficulties.
Tracy Collins
April 30, 2013
Please don’t stop your film club, Editor. These new systems mean your film club can have hearing members too if they go along at the same time to a cinema with these systems. The Off-Screen UK system has been shown to people in the industry and they love it and could be ready to go into cinemas soon while the Deaf, run US system intends to use UV light and they say on their vid that they need 18 months. Also their glasses look like they add a yellow tint to the movie while the UK system does not effect colour. The UK system is half the price to install as the US system. I think the US idea came from the UK idea which is patented.
deafgimp
August 28, 2013
In the US, we have this horrid caption glasses that have been introduced and the theatre company no longer shows open captions. They are awful. I can no longer to to the theatres and just watch a movie. I’d be happy to go indepth as to the problems these glasses cause, if anyone is still reading this article.
yourlocalcinema (@yourlocalcinema)
August 29, 2013
Yes, please DO let us know more, the UK cinema industry would be very interested to hear your views. Derek, http://www.yourlocalcinema.com/
121 Captions
September 15, 2014
Deafgimp – do let us have your feedback as I have plans in the pipeline in this area. bookings@121captions.com