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DVB Subtitling
Ronan Lhostis, May 2013

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INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. CURRENT PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS ............................................................................................................ 3
1.1 PREPARATION OF SUBTITLES....................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 CONTROLLING & GENERATING DVB SUBTITLES ............................................................................................................. 5
1.3 GETTING MPEG-2 TS PACKETS.................................................................................................................................. 5
2. SIMPLIFY THE ARCHITECTURE......................................................................................................................... 6
3. GET BETTER PERFORMANCE ........................................................................................................................... 8
4. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................. 9

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INTRODUCTION

DVB subtitling is a standard for conveying subtitles along with compressed video and audio in MPEG
transport streams (TS). It is a format for closed captions, i.e. captions not visible in the video, and described in
ETSI 300 743 standard.
While this standard defines two ways of carrying subtitles – code-based and bitmap – the latter is the most
common and bitmap format is intended when referring to DVB subtitles. In this way, DVB subtitling differs
from other popular formats such as line 21 closed captioning or EBU teletext, both of which are character-
code based standards.
Carrying bitmaps instead of character codes gives broadcasters control over how subtitles are rendered on
TV sets. The font, margins and background transparency are among the operator-defined parameters.
Consequently, different presentations are possible for subtitles depending on the audience. Subtitles
intended for the hearing-impaired can use a black background while subtitles for dialog translation in foreign-
language movies are shown without. Vertical adjustment can be customized to avoid channel logo overlay for
instance (see figure 1).

Figure 1 - DVB subtitles rendering solutions

Another advantage of DVB subtitles is that any type of language can be supported since TV sets or decoders
do not need to embed all the character tables to convert character code-based subtitles into bitmaps.

DVB subtitling is well suited to broadcasting Asian and Middle East languages (Hebrew and Arabic languages).

1. CURRENT PRODUCTION WORKFLOWS

DVB subtitle production is divided into four tasks:

- Preparation of subtitles,
- Control of subtitling generation,
- Generation of DVB subtitles,
- Encapsulation of DVB subtitles into an MPEG-2 TS stream.

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1.1 Preparation of Subtitles

This process is unrelated to the format used to convey subtitles to the end user.
For movies and prerecorded assets like TV shows, subtitle creation is an editing task performed off-line.
Broadcasters can play audio and video and edit subtitles using editing tools provided by subtitling system
manufacturers. As a result, subtitle files are created containing the character codes of text to display,
appearance settings and timing information to synchronize subtitles with video (see figure 2).
These files are stored in the file system in a format that depends on the subtitling system vendor.
Direct asset archiving on video servers is also possible. Several formats are possible including teletext formats
which deliver broadcast-ready subtitles synchronized with video. Subsequently a single transcode operation is
required to get DVB subtitles.

Figure 2 – Non-linear subtitle production workflow

For live events the workflow involves a speaker watching live video and saying the text to convert into
subtitles. Voice recognition software converts speech into text strings. If required a script person performs
live conversion of translation errors and can adjust appearance on the fly. The resulting text strings are then
sent to the subtitling generator. Teletext format can also be used as a delivery format (see figure 3).

Figure 3 - Live subtitle production workflow

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1.2 Controlling & Generating DVB Subtitles

The subtitle controller manages the playout of subtitles. This feature includes the ability to switch between the
different sources in real time and to initiate tasks on the different process modules for subtitle generation (see
figure 4).
The subtitle controller receives its orders from the automation system and executes them at the time indicated
by the timecode source.
The controller can be merged with or separate from the subtitle generator in charge of creating DVB subtitles
(i.e. bitmaps) from all possible sources.
These devices are located close to the playout system on the broadcaster’s premises.
The subtitle generator has access to the playout output via a teletext extractor in order to process sources
where teletext is already embedded with video.
The subtitle generator delivers a stream containing DVB subtitles and timing information.

Playout Center Headend Platform

Playout /
SDI/HD-SDI
Audio &
Video Center Compressed
Video Decoder
PCR Audio & Video
Teletex
Timecode
Extractor
Multiplexor
DVB Subtitle
Multiplexor TS packets
Archive Subtitle Controller & DVB DVB subtitles
Subtitle files Subtitle Generator

Live Subtitling
Workflow
Automation

Figure 4 - Usual DVB subtitle support architecture

1.3 Getting MPEG-2 TS Packets

For the final task, the subtitle multiplexer delivers an MPEG-2 TS stream containing PIDs to multiplex with
other service components such as video and audio (see figure 4).
The subtitle multiplexer reads the PCR at the video encoder output in order to insert PTS timestamps in the
DVB subtitle packets. Valid PTSs are essential to ensure synchronization with video.
The subtitle multiplexer is located closed to the headend multiplexers.
One subtitle multiplexer is required per multiplex containing DVB subtitles. It can handle several subtitle
generators if several services with DVB subtitles are multiplexed in the same TS.
These workflows are relatively complex:
 More than one interface is required between the playout center and headend platform. This is never
simple to set up and issues are difficult to diagnose.

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 The subtitling multiplexer uses the output of the encoding sub system to read the PCR, creating a loop in
the workflow.
 Moreover manual adjustments are required depending on compression delay in the encoding process and
data transfer time between the injector and multiplexer.

When back-up is required the solution is more costly. This is why some customers decide not to back up
subtitling generation and hope that all goes well.

2. SIMPLIFY THE ARCHITECTURE

The Thomson Video Networks end-to-end solution consists of moving DVB subtitling generation to the video
encoder on the headend platform and embedding subtitling data in the SDI (see figure 5).
A single interface connects the playout center and the headend platform. Teletext format (OP-47 and SMPTE-
2031 for HD-SDI) is used to convey subtitles in the SDI ensuring synchronization between video and subtitles.
Extensions compatible with teletext format via X31 packet mode allow Unicode character sets to be supported
for Asian languages.
Workflow at the playout center end is simplified. DVB subtitling generation disappears and the teletext
extractor is no longer needed. A teletext inserter is required to embed subtitles for archived files and live
workflows.
On the headend platform the architecture is reduced without the need for a DVB subtitling multiplexer.

Playout Center Headend Platform

SDI/HD-SDI Audio & Video

Playout Video Teletext
center Inserter Encoder and Compressed Audio,
DVB subtitle Video & Subtitles
generation
Timecode
TS packets Multiplexor

Archived
Subtitle files Subtitle Controller

Live Subtitling
Workflow
Automation

Figure 5 - End-to-End DVB subtitle support architecture

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When broadcasters are not using live subtitling and are storing subtitles on video servers as Teletext data, the
workflow is reduced to a minimum with no specific device for the playout (see figure 6).

Playout Center Headend Platform

SDI/HD -SDI Audio & Video

Playout Video
center Encoder and
Compressed Audio,
DVB subtitle
Video & Subtitles
generation

TS packets Multiplexor

Figure 6 - Workflow for cases with subtitles stored as Teletext on video servers
and no live subtitling required

Operations are also far easier. There is no need to indicate the video compression delay or to set up an offset
between the PCR and PTS of subtitle packets since all these data are known by the encoder (see figure 7).

Simulcast of DVB subtitles with other closed caption formats is possible and is managed from a single interface.

Figure 7 - DVB Subtitle configuration

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3. GET BETTER PERFORMANCE

Integrating DVB subtitle generation into the encoder paves the way for new possibilities such as combining
teletext and video in one statistical multiplexing pool.
The bitrate used by DVB subtitle data is highly variable. Depending on the event, it can vary between 0 kbit/s
(no subtitles, during ads for instance), 20 kbit/s for a movie with one subtitle language track or close to 200
kbit/s for an event with live subtitles (also called cumulative or progressive subtitles).
Deploying a scheduling system to optimize bandwidth usage is not only costly but also fairly difficult to
synchronize since DVB subtitling usage depends on the broadcast event.
Usually broadcasters plan for the worst-case scenario. But when subtitling is not present or bitrate is lower
than maximum, stuffing packets are generated.
Thomson Video Networks encoders using FlexService technology dynamically detect the bitrate required by
DVB subtitling data before finalizing video encoding. Thus video encoding can take advantage of unused bitrate
resulting in optimized bandwidth usage and enhanced video quality.
On a typical terrestrial multiplex, on average this technology can restore 5% to video encoding.

Figure 8 - With FlexService (right) stuffing in yellow is reduced

FlexService is also available for CBR applications such as IPTV.

In IPTV, each service uses a constant bandwidth compatible with the restrictions imposed by ADSL lines. The
typical bandwidth of an IPTV service is lower than 2Mbit/s. Usually each video, audio and data service
component also uses a constant bitrate.
In these applications, FlexService makes video bitrate variable (VBR), taking advantage of bandwidth unused by
subtitling and teletext data while the service bitrate remains constant (CBR).
In an IPTV application where bandwidth is a critical consideration, operators use MPEG-4 encoding for the
lowest bandwidth usage for video. With MPEG-4 encoding, a few kbits can have a significant impact on video
quality. With FlexService, more than 10% of bitrate can be reallocated to video for events without DVB
subtitles, and between 5 and 10% to movies.

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4. CONCLUSION

DVB Subtitling technology is an optimal solution for broadcasting subtitles.

Integration of DVB subtitling generation into Thomson Video Networks encoders greatly simplifies deployment
of DVB subtitles for operators.
For European, Russian and Middle East languages, this solution is compatible with any subtitling provider.
Asian languages are also supported thanks to Thomson Video Networks’ partnership with a renowned
subtitling provider.
Combined with FlexService technology, the Thomson Video Networks solution offers broadcasters a unique
end-to-end approach for achieving best system performance.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact your sales representative or

visit our website for all contact details.
http://www.thomson-networks.com

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