Caption 608/708 workflow

Hello, I just installed the DaVinci Resolve beta to try and replicate a workflow i have in Adobe Premiere.

I need to be able to export/deliver files with 608/708 captions embedded into video. I was able to create a SRT file in maccaption and import that into Resolve. However it looks like Resolve can only export 608 or 708, it cant do both. Unfortunately, asa broadcast network we need to be able to embed both into the same file.

Is there any way to embed both 608/708 files in the same clip?

If not is there any link to ask that this feature be included.

TIA,
George

I just came across this while doing some research. I too need to be able to embed both 608 and 708 captions for broadcast delivery. Any solutions out there?

Erik

I just delivered 70 spots for broadcast delivery. Closed Captions in Davinci Resolve are barely working in the 708 realm. 608 in DR looks fine but hardly anyone wants 608 anymore.

Current workflow. Render 608 captions in Davinci Resolve.

Open Premiere Pro and import 608 captions from DR render.

Convert 608 to 708 inside Premiere Pro.

Final export with 708 captions MUST be done from Premiere Pro.

IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DELIVER CLEAN, NORMAL LOOKING 708 CAPTIONS FROM DAVINCI RESOLVE.

+1 on this
We need to be able to embed a 708 closed caption file in the exported file for broadcast.

Exactly!! Just to be able to properly embed 608 and 708 captions in XDCAM 422 would be a huge help. So much work needs to be done on captions in DR. It's certainly telling that I have to use Premier Pro for any broadcast deliveries.

I’m surprised more people aren’t having a issue Or complaining about this.
I import my exported files directly into our playout server for our small TV station. We are required to have closed captioning on everything. Previously we were on Macs using FCPX and used Mac Caption to create the closed caption Sidecar files. But now we moved to PCs and Resolve and I don’t have access to Mac Caption anymore. I was really hoping there would be a way to export .mcc for our playout server and also .vtt cc files for Vimeo. I know it will export .srt but these other options would be useful.

IMO, the best workflow is currently:

1. embed 608 captions in DNxHD render.
2. import DNxHD in Premier Pro
3. Render .scc sidecar file in Premier Pro
4. Import .scc file back into Premier Pro and line up .scc file on timeline with DNxHD captions
5. Duplicate .scc file in Premier Pro and then convert duplicated file to .mcc file
6. Match up .mcc file on timeline with .scc file
7. Render XDCAM HD 422 Master with embed of both 608 and 708 in Premier Pro

IMO, the best workflow is currently:

1. embed 608 captions in DNxHD render.
2. import DNxHD in Premier Pro
3. Render .scc sidecar file in Premier Pro
4. Import .scc file back into Premier Pro and line up .scc file on timeline with DNxHD captions
5. Duplicate .scc file in Premier Pro and then convert duplicated file to .mcc file
6. Match up .mcc file on timeline with .scc file
7. Render XDCAM HD 422 Master with embed of both 608 and 708 in Premier Pro

Wow! Why does it have to be so difficult?
Hopefully Blackmagic Design will build in a Closed Caption feature in Resolve for broadcasters.

IMO, the best workflow is currently:

1. embed 608 captions in DNxHD render.
2. import DNxHD in Premier Pro
3. Render .scc sidecar file in Premier Pro
4. Import .scc file back into Premier Pro and line up .scc file on timeline with DNxHD captions
5. Duplicate .scc file in Premier Pro and then convert duplicated file to .mcc file
6. Match up .mcc file on timeline with .scc file
7. Render XDCAM HD 422 Master with embed of both 608 and 708 in Premier Pro

Wow! Why does it have to be so difficult?
Hopefully Blackmagic Design will build in a Closed Caption feature in Resolve for broadcasters.

It has always surprised me how BMD and plenty of others don't really care so much about Closed Captioning. Which is very odd because any professional delivering for Broadcast Media must have CC in the content. Especially when you consider that we can do everything else in the program for mastering, why not complete the loop with the final step, closed captions?

It has always surprised me how BMD and plenty of others don't really care so much about Closed Captioning. Which is very odd because any professional delivering for Broadcast Media must have CC in the content. Especially when you consider that we can do everything else in the program for mastering, why not complete the loop with the final step, closed captions?

I agree. Closed Captioning is mandatory in the U.S. by FCC regulations. It would be a very welcome feature for those producing broadcast content.

I agree. I need 708 closed captions. BMD, step up.

Hi,

Has this workflow improved at all in v17? I notice I cannot embed captions into an OP1A MXF file if the codec is XDCAM (which is what my broadcaster requires). It works for DNxHD though.

I still can't see a way to do "paint on" captions either. My captions get rejected if they are not paint on.

Thanks

I have all of the same issues. I use Adobe Premier Pro for caption delivery.

Erik

Sounds like BM hasn't updated this in Version 17? that is a shame. Its the the one pushback i get from my management team when i tell them how much better resolve is then Premiere

"well we need Premiere to generate and broadcast 608/708 captions"

There are some solutions on the master control server side. Supposedly there are software upgrades that can be added that will generate 708 captions from 608 captions, or vice versa. But its cheaper and easier do this upon export.

Hopefully something that will be included soon...I get that resolve is geared for post production but I think you could make a point theres a large market that needs that level of functionality.

On the topic of captions.. Has anyone been able to pass embedded 608/708 captions out a Decklink card? Or know developers that can help with this? I have tried the caption example in the SDK, it just puts "CEA-708 Closed Captions" caption text on the SDI monitor. There isn't anything that can just play a file out the SDI and pass captions..

Thanks!

I agree. I need 708 closed captions. BMD, step up.

Been at this for years with BMD... Please increase support for this BMD!

Does anyone know if this workflow been improved in version 18? Thanks

Does anyone know if this workflow been improved in version 18? Thanks

To answer my own question: it appears not to be improved. To summarize, I'm hoping one day for paint-on captions and embedding into OP1A MXF if the codec is XDCAM (as required by my broadcaster). It's the only reason I have Premiere installed on my system.

Hi All,

Any updates? I need to be able to create a Jpeg 2000 Op1a with dual CC's

Closed Caption Specification

• Closed captions are stored as Caption Distribution packets (CDP) per CTA 708-E, with one CDP
per frame. Captions are CTA 708-E with CTA 608-E compatibility bytes included.
• Primary language closed captions shall be placed on CTA 708-E Service 1 (ENGLISH). Secondary language
closed captions shall be placed on CTA 708-E Service 2 (Latin American Spanish).
• Closed captions shall be inserted into Vertical Ancillary Data on line 18.
6.2. Active Format Description (AFD) Specification
Active Format Description (AFD) as specified by SMPTE ST 2016-1:2009 must be stored as defined by
SMPTE ST 436-1:2013. For progressive material, there is one AFD packet per frame.
• AFD shall be inserted into Vertical Ancillary Data on line 18.
Flags used:
• 1010 – Full frame 16:9 image, with all image areas protected
• 1001 – Pillar box 4:3, horizontally centered in the coded frame
No other VANC data shall be included which is not outlined in this document.

Regards,
Erik

I am tag-teaming with Erik Droll to hopefully initiate a discussion regarding Davinci Resolve moving towards integrating BOTH 608 and 708 captions.

I edit, grade, and export many broadcast spot masters (XDCAM HD 422) in DR but don't know of a workflow to embed both types of captions. Even with a second pass, it isn't possible.

I deliver hundreds of masters each year and I have zero need for 608 only captions. ALL of my deliveries require BOTH 608 and 708 captions embedded in preferably the XDCAM HD 422 codec.

Is there anyone out there who is able to use DR for professional delivery of closed captions in its current configurations?

The fact that 708 captions aren't supported (according to the manual page 983) is a head-scratcher for me because ALL of my clients require 708 at a minimum. None require only 608 captions which are considered to be an outdated method of captioning now.

Does BMD have the option of embedding both 608 and 708 captions in the near-term planning? DR19 for example?

Thank you!

Hello Guys,

I read this thread, and I was wondering if there are any updates on creating and exporting a multiple CC track?

All broadcasting companies require a minimum of 2 CC tracks and more if there are different languages. I cannot believe that a software so professional has to rely on Premiere for something so simple...

Hi,

Same thing here, i use Premiere but wanted to use Resolve 18.5 to deliver to broadcasters but i can't even import .scc files !!
Premiere does the job to export an .mxf with embed .scc but, Premiere 2021 and up doesn't show my .scc correctly on playback. No roll-up, not aligned and so on!
Looks like 99% of the users, edit only for youtube with only .srt files.

It's sad that those companies doesn't seems to care about people that edits for broadcasting.

Jack

+ 1 to embed both 608 + 708 captions into DNx MXF files as well as ProRes QuickTimes. I am currently running both studio and free versions of Resolve 18.6.4 and only 608 embedding is available on QT exports, and 608 or 708 (but not both) is available on MXF files.

Many networks require both to meet current specs (708), and for backwards compatibility (608) on international networks with legacy equipment.

Thanks in advance Resolve development team.