Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

Open Captioned technology have been around long time – probably since Captioned Media Program (CMP) launched in 60’s or 70’s. I remember my deaf parent received three sets of 35mm movies by mail at home once every two weeks then pass to another deaf family. It’s all free. We enjoyed it very much. I will never forget all those old times.

Note: Captioned Media Program changed its name of program few years ago due to reflect of media format change over years. They now serve all kinds of format such as VHS, DVD, etc.

Today, open-captioned technology isn’t widely popular like in 70’s but it’s still around today especially with InSight Cinema – nonprofit organization that offers open-captioned on certain movies at selective theater nationwide.

To learn more about InSight Cinema, go to http://www.insightcinema.org

Of course, closed-captioned have been pretty much replaced old open-captioned technology because of easily to read (black background) and as well as widely available on all televisions and VHS/DVD formats.

Anyway, Rear Window Captioning technology (RWC) is relatively new in our deaf community today. Of course, RWC technology has its own advantage and disadvantage. No questions about it.

In my opinion, RWC is going be theater-wide system in near future but it depends how deaf community react to it like we have lawsuit right now in New Jersey which they support all technologies – not just one kind.

To learn more about New Jersey lawsuit, go to http://www.nj.gov/oag/update/wu.03.02.05.html

Rear Window® Captioning (RWC) and DVS Theatrical®, developed by The Media Access Group at WGBH, make theaters accessible to audiences with disabilities. This site provides information to consumers, industry members and others interested in learning more about motion picture access.

To learn more about it, go to http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/

What’s so bad thing about RWC technology?

1. Can be difficult to adjust thru mirror “lamp” to view the movie correctly. It can be problem when you move a lot and it make noisy sometime.
2. Annoying other viewers.
3. Some people complained that they cannot see it very good. The RWC readability can be small depending on how they see it.
4. Limited numbers of mirror “lamp” at each theater.

What’s good thing about RWC technology?

1. Relatively cheap way to deliver to all newest movies in the market.
2. It can be available within couple of weeks compared to open-captioned. (usually 2 months later)
3. Still meet ADA law since it is reasonable cost and ability to install easily into their system.
4. RWC seems to be widely available than any other captioned system right now.

Personally, I’ve seen and used both technologies many times in the past. I usually don’t mind with RWC because I want to see newest movie rather than wait till open captioned arrived or rent/purchase DVD movies. I think most of people will agree with me. That’s one of the biggest issues that I know of.

InSight Cinema has been in business for more than five years and they have loyal people there which are good news. Unfortunately, their delivery time is terrible and it is not their fault either. Also, their scheduling seems to be same all the times.

For example, they always host open-captioned movie at Grapevine Mill (near Dallas, Texas) which is about 45 minutes away from my house. They always schedule open-captioned movie on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Sure, I am getting sick of it because they never had one on Friday or Saturday for long time. This is my biggest turnoff.

Bottom line, it’s good to know we have both technologies available everywhere in USA where people can enjoy at real theater more often and get out of house too! Same time, we are expecting them to get improve time delivery and availability at more theater near your home.

Area theaters get latest captioning technology: Click here.
Theater adds captioning system for newly released films: Click here.

Grant W. Laird, Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Click picture to view bigger version.

Beautiful sunset on Easter Day.

Grant W. Laird, Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

We had DHH event last Saturday at Fox and Hound English Pub & Grille in southwest of Fort Worth. We are pleased with numbers of show up at event especially during Easter weekend and nasty weather. (Cold & rain all day) We had fewer than 150 people which are smaller than last two months but still very good.

Fox and Hound management and waitress are much better than last month at Humperdink’s. Even, I had opportunity to meet manager – thank to Ronnie (one of DHH committee) for introduction. He wants us to come back again for next events however at this point, we aren’t sure because we want to host more frequently in Arlington & Dallas area next few months.

Only bad thing about this place based on people’s feedback is hard to find this place. This restaurant is in huge shopping center and many trees around it. A lot of people got lost and managed to find it eventually.

Also, I noticed that none of deaf people actually playing pool table – this place has about 12 pools there. It’s interesting to observe – seems majority of them just want to chat and drink and have good times.

One of the DHH fan give Ronnie the list of different places (bar & restaurant) for future DHH event. However, many of lists are actually stripper club. Very funny!!

Another DHH committee – Stephanie had car accident the day before due to bad weather and I was told that her vehicle is totaled. I hope she’s doing okay.

We had to postponed our DHH committee meeting till further notice due to conflict of plan from many committees. Hopefully we will have one sometime before our next DHH event on April 23rd at Dave & Buster in Frisco, Texas.

To learn more about DHH DFW, go to http://www.dhhdfw.com

Grant W. Laird, Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com