Harmonic Partners with NCI to Revolutionize Captioning in Broadcasting with XOS Media Processor
- Harmonic partners with NCI to integrate advanced closed captioning into the XOS Advanced Media Processor, enhancing broadcast capabilities.
- The collaboration eliminates the need for separate caption encoders, resulting in cost savings and streamlined broadcasting solutions.
- Attendees can see the integrated technology at the 2025 NAB Show, highlighting innovations in accessibility and media quality.
Harmonic and NCI Forge Partnership to Enhance Captioning Capabilities
In a significant advancement for the broadcasting industry, Harmonic announces a strategic partnership with the National Captioning Institute (NCI) on March 25, 2025. This collaboration aims to integrate advanced closed captioning capabilities into Harmonic's XOS Advanced Media Processor, revolutionizing how users can manage captioning in their streams and broadcasts. By incorporating NCI's high-quality CaptionSentry ASR and human caption data directly into the XOS Media Processor, users can eliminate the need for a separate closed caption encoder, resulting in substantial cost savings and a streamlined all-in-one solution for broadcasters.
The integration allows users to seamlessly transcode captioning data into ATSC transports, enhancing workflow efficiency while simultaneously reducing both audio and caption latency. Meredith Patterson, NCI's President & COO, emphasizes that this partnership aligns with NCI’s mission to promote accessibility through innovative technology. The collaboration arose from the need of a mutual customer seeking to consolidate their broadcasting processes, allowing for automated captioning to be added to ATSC streams or broadcasts using a straightforward RTMP audio stream and a simple licensing configuration.
Gil Rudge, Senior Vice President at Harmonic, underscores the significance of this technological advancement, stating that the successful integration of NCI’s AI captioning capabilities elevates the functionality of the XOS Media Processor. This integration not only leads to cost reductions but also streamlines broadcast workflows, setting the stage for future innovations in the industry. Attendees at the upcoming 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas, scheduled for April 6-9, can witness this groundbreaking technology in action at Harmonic Booth W2821, showcasing the potential of the partnership between Harmonic and NCI.
In addition to the partnership, NCI has a long-standing history of pioneering live closed captioning for over 40 years. The nonprofit organization merges human expertise with AI to deliver high-quality captioning, subtitling, translation, and audio description services across various media platforms. This collaboration with Harmonic marks a new chapter in their commitment to enhancing accessibility and quality in media broadcasts, catering to a growing demand for efficient and reliable captioning solutions.
For further details on NCI and their services, interested parties can visit their website at www.ncic.