API Reference

Fetching Captions & Subtitles

Guidelines and Best Practices for Generating Captions and Subtitles for In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) Content

Overview

This documentation outlines the best practices for generating captions and subtitles for movies, TV shows, audio content, and podcasts available on In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems. The approaches discussed support both online and offline IFE systems, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all passengers.

Compatibility

The API can be integrated into any operating system and application, including: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Most In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems run on Android, making the API highly adaptable to industry needs.

Modes of Operation

1. Online Mode

  • Designed for Wi-Fi-enabled IFE systems.
  • Allows captions and subtitles to be generated on demand via API integration.
  • Provides flexibility for real-time updates or content changes.

2. Offline Mode

  • Designed for IFE systems without Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Requires captions and subtitles to be generated in advance and loaded onto the IFE system with the content.
  • Ideal for preloaded entertainment libraries.

Best Practices for Online Mode

  1. API Integration:

    • Your development team or agency should integrate the caption and subtitle generation API into the IFE media player.
    • Ensure the API supports multiple languages and adheres to accessibility standards.

  2. Real-Time Processing:

    • Enable dynamic generation of captions and subtitles as content is streamed.
    • Provide caching capabilities to minimize delays and optimize performance.

  3. Language Selection Interface:

    • Develop an intuitive interface for passengers to select their preferred language.
    • Display language preferences prominently within the IFE menu.

  4. Customization Options:

    • Allow users to adjust font size, color, and background for better readability.
    • Provide settings for enabling or disabling captions and subtitles.

  5. System Testing:

    • Conduct extensive testing to ensure compatibility with different devices and operating systems.
    • Simulate real-world conditions to verify responsiveness and accuracy.

Best Practices for Offline Mode

  1. Pre-Generated Content:

    • Generate captions and subtitles using offline tools before uploading content to the IFE system.
    • Ensure accurate synchronization with audio and visual elements.

  2. Multilingual Support:

    • Preload captions and subtitles in multiple languages to cater to diverse passenger demographics.
    • Store language files in an organized and accessible format.

  3. Content Updates:

    • Develop applications to manage and update captions and subtitles as part of the content upload process.
    • Test updates to avoid mismatches or errors post-deployment.

  4. Quality Assurance:

    • Perform quality checks to validate the accuracy and synchronization of captions and subtitles.
    • Include multiple review cycles to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

General Recommendations for Both Modes

  1. Standardized Formats:

    • Use industry-standard subtitle formats such as SRT and VTT to ensure compatibility.

  2. Compliance with Accessibility Standards:

    • Follow WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and FCC (Federal Communications Commission) standards for captions and subtitles.
    • Include closed captions for hearing-impaired passengers.

  3. Consistency Across Platforms:

    • Maintain consistent styles and formats for captions and subtitles across all content.

  4. Language Coverage:

    • Provide support for over 90 languages, ensuring broad accessibility.

  5. User Feedback Integration:

    • Implement mechanisms to gather passenger feedback on caption quality and usability.
    • Use insights to improve future implementations.

Conclusion

By adopting these best practices, you can deliver high-quality captions and subtitles for in-flight entertainment content, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all passengers. Whether operating in online or offline modes, the outlined approaches provide flexibility, scalability, and compliance with accessibility standards.

For additional implementation guidance, you can collaborate with our team, your IFE system provider, content provider or development partners to streamline the process.