Close captioning appears and disappears too fast

[beachgeek]

My wife is deaf and depends on closed captioning.  When we use the built-in caption on a FIOS HD/DVR, the speed at which captioning appears and disappears is too fast to read.  If I view the same channel using one of our TVs built in captioning capability, it is fine.  Unfortuately,  we need to use the FIOS captioning capability for a projector that does not have built in captioning.  How do I slow down the speed of the captioning?

[birdistasty]

We never even got the closed captioning to work on our box in the first place, so you're already a step ahead of me.  My fiance tried monkeying with it, and it just wouldn't turn on.

Is there even a way to adjust the speed?  I kinda thought that was something that was broadcast by each of the channels, and it wasn't really something you can adjust?

[beachgeek]

I don't think you normally can control the speed.  However, since the closed captioning speed seems to be extremely fast only for FIOS, I assume there is a problem with the FIOS box (maybe firmware).  Anyway,  to give you a pointer, some of the outputs(I don't remember which) do not pass a closed caption signal.  You may want to switch to a different output from the box.

Hope you get it working!

[ThomasD]

I am having the same problem. I have been told by Verizon support, that they do not offer CC service within their box, and that CC must be turned on from the TV.

Of course, that doesn't work in High Def mode on our TV, so we are forced to use standard definition, with a high def receiver and TV 😞 

It is also annoying to use the TV's CC decoder, as the TV CC decoder doesn't disable when you pull up the FiOS guide, therefore making it impossible to read the guide.

 When using the built-in CC service of the Box, the CC service is disabled while using the menus or browsing the guide.

Comcast, Dishnetwork, and DirecTV all support closed captioning within their set top box. Verizon FIOS Does not ? (even though the box can physically do it, but Verizon has chosen to cripple it)

I am 99% happy with the Fios quality... but that they are choosing to not support the CC service is disappointing.  

Message Edited by ThomasD on 09-04-2008 02:34 PM

[Ucamuk1]

Thomas-

I have the HD-DVR STB and I am able to turn on CC at the STB.  From the menu screen, select 'settings', 'accessibility', and then select 'closed caption'.   I do concede that on certain channels the captions run extremely fast, and are impossible (for me) to read. 

I also read in another thread that if you use an HDMI cable between the box and the TV, you will not be able to use the TV's built in CC decoder (as you indicate), but if you make the connections with component cables rather than an HDMI cable, you will be able to use the TV's decoder.  Never tried it, so can't verify it.

[beachgeek]

If they didn't support CC service, why is it in the FIOS menu under the settings submenu?  The captioning works on some channels/shows, but a few have this speed problem. Did you escalate the problem up to the next tier support?  I would think FIOS would have an ADA problem if they did not support CC.  For my projector, the closed captioning does come across on HDMI but not component.

[Ucamuk1]

If they didn't support CC service, why is it in the FIOS menu under the settings submenu?

Yep, and there ya are.  Why is it that a company whose entire structure was built on communications...........can't seem to communicate?

I never escalated the problem because it never really bothered me that much.

It's interesting what you say concerning the HDMI vs Component cables.  Directly opposite the info I read.

Good luck!

[ThomasD]

I did not escalate, as their answer was "Verizon does not support it, since that's a function of your TV". 

The tech person is technicall correct, although it's a poor answer.

I really hope that someone @ verizon / FioS reads these forumns and considers the deaf population. 

PS: Read the book it came with. It shows setting CC options, colors, fonts, etc.... guess Verizon forgot to disable the "Closed Caption - On / Off" option..

[beachgeek]

ThomasD,

I too hope that FIOS reads this.  They definitely advertise that they support CC. The CC is a function of the tuner.  The FIOS Box acts as the tuner for HDTVs that don't have a built in tuner. My projector as with most projectors does not have a tuner or CC.  Thus, it depends upon the HD Tuner that FIOS provides.  I should be able to hook up a plain old computer monitor to FIOS and have the DVR do the CC.  FIOS needs to get its act together and fix this problem.  I too am going to contact FIOS and try to escalate this problem. Also,  if they don't support CC why is this URL present:

http://www22.verizon.com/ResidentialHelp/FiOSTV/Guide/TV%20Programming/QuestionsOne/123227.htm#__hig...

[beachgeek]

I was on the phone with Tech support for a good 20-30 minutes today.  FIOS support did not mention anything about not supporting CC.  I told them I had  CC on both my TV and  the FIOS box at the same time (using the component connection and watching the Disney channel for my kids).  MY TVs built in captioning would show text a great deal earlier than the FIOS CC (enough time to read the caption). The text would disappear on both my TV's and FIOS CC at the same time.  I think  tech support was suprised about this.  They said that there is a firmware update coming out soon that may improve captioning. However, they weren't sure if my problem would be addressed by then.  Hopefully, something will come of this.

[ajj333]

Beachgeek, did they say when that firmware update might happen?  We just got Fios today and am encountering the same problem with the captions being too fast. Either Fios or Motorola or both are impeding the captions and making them display later than the TV's built in captioning did.  When we tried to select the TV's captioning, it no longer gives us that choice; the option is now grayed out.  

[beachgeek]

No, the rep did not give me specifics 😞  I have not followed up with FIOS since I last talked with them.  FYI, I set up a new HDTV since I last contacted FIOS.  I set up two outputs from the DVR:

1. RGB

2. HDMI

The built-in CC on my TV works consistently  on the RGB output.  I tend to switch to RGB when I need reliable CC.  HDMI using FIOS' CC is hit or miss (It does seem better lately).  I will try to call FIOS support when I have an hour or so to spare to deal with them.  The last time I called I also had a plumber working in my house. As a result, I did not think to get some sort of reference number to which I can refer back to this issue.

[Techman28]

This is actually news to me with 2 different speeds of the CC. I will be looking into this first thing in the morning to determine possible cause and fix for everyone. I

To make sure I have info correct:

When using Component or Composite cables the CC is right on.

When using HDMI the CC is displayed so fast you can't read it.

I have tested on my HD TV at my house and I do see what is being said in regards to the CC scrolling fast.  I have seen where it will produce a line and a half pause for a few secs and then keep going with the CC.  I have an idea of how to fix this.  I will keep everyone up to date with this fix

Message Edited by Techman28 on 10-13-2008 06:17 PM

[beachgeek]

What I see is that the CC through my TV works on RGB/component pretty  well for non-HD channels.  For some channels (the best example for me appears on the Disney channel), I can turn on both the CC on my TV and the CC on the DVR to run simultaneously.  The CC for the DVR starts up late but finishes at the same time as my TV's built-in captioning. Thus, if the DVR  was the only captioning methodology, it would appear to flash on the screen too fast to read.  On HDMI, the DVR is the only option (as far as I know), so captioning flashes by too quickly on many channels.  I hope you can fix this, my wife is deaf and I would like her to be able to enjoy viewing shows/movies with the rest of our family.

Thanks again.

[Techman28]

I will see what I can find out and update this post tomorrow morning

[ajj333]

Techman28,  Thanks for following up on this.  We had Cox digital cable before and no problem with captions. 

I noticed that it is not all of the channels.  Some have a three line scroll that works fine.  The sports type shows seem to have 2 line scrolls and others like Disney, Nick Jr., USA or SCI FI etc have the captions that go by too fast.  Also, I am having some channels that have a black box that covers most of the screen except for the margins  where I can still see the program.   I have read that this may be from having the captions on but we need captions on for a deaf family member.

Our current FIOS set up includes the Motorola HD DVR provided by Verizon with a standard digital TV (Samsung) on coax cable wiring.

Any advice?

[Techman28]

::UPDATE::

I want to give everyone an update regarding this issue Testing is underway to determine the possible solution. I have no ETA on the resolution at this time.Please utilize your TV's CC for the time being until this issue is resolved

Also if you would like for me to contact you regarding this please PM me and I will see what we can do to resolve the issues quicker.

Message Edited by Techman28 on 10-14-2008 08:14 AM

[CSimpson]

Just want to add that our MR-DVR box, when connected using component cables, viewing an SD channel, the CC is still way too fast.  But Techman28 and crew will probably see this during testing.

The other day, my kids somehow activated CC by accident when watching a kids show on the Noggin channel, and I said to myself, "How in the heck is someone supposed to read that!?!?  It flashes by too quickly."

[Techman28]

yes I completely agree and I have been able to duplicate it on several channels and we are working towards a fix for this issue.

[duffer55]

I have a slightly different issue.

I only have issues with "speedy" closecaptioning on my TV's using Hi-Def boxes. I have two TV's without Hi-Def and I have had them on the exact same programs and the captioning worked fine on the non-HiDef. I thought perhaps it had something to do with Hi-Def channels, but it also does it on non-Hi-Def programs. I have isolated my problem to three channels, FX, USA, and  LMN, and I have tried them at differeent times different programs, and they are always too fast to read. 

I feel it is definately an issue with the Hi-Def boxes.

[Ucamuk1]

I'm in total agreement with the HD CC issue.  I didn't mention it in my original reply, but I also graduated from a SD DVR to a HD DVR.  The CC worked fine on the SD box, but too fast to read on the HD box.  I notice the problem on our local PBS station.  I use the CC to help me decipher through the accents on some of the British programs they air.