The Tokyo International Film Festival sees Civolution’s SyncNow power world’s first movie accessibility app
Civolution’s SyncNow 2nd screen technology synchronizes audio between the cinema screen and companion devices for the hearing impaired
Tokyo, Japan, October 22, 2013 – Civolution, the leading provider of technology and solutions for identifying, managing and monetizing content today announced that MASC (Media Access Support Center), a Japanese non-profit organization providing accessibility solutions for movie and video content, has integrated Civolution’s solution SyncNow in its ‘Otomi’ smartphone app to deliver synchronized subtitles and sign language for the hearing impaired.
IT Access, Civolution’s partner in Japan, supported MASC to integrate Civolution’s SyncNow audio watermarking technology in which non-audible information is embedded into the movie soundtrack and detected by the app. The app enables the user to see real-time synchronized subtitles and sign language directly on their smartphone.
“Using SyncNow audio watermarking solution for 2nd screen, MASC is able to transform the movie viewing experience for the hearing impaired by offering them to follow the action in a non-intrusive, fun and innovative way,” says Andy Nobbs, Chief Marketing Officer, Civolution. “This is another example of how synchronized 2nd screen can create powerful personalized experiences.”
Otomi is demonstrated at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) from October 17th to 24th with subtitles and audio guide for the movie “A Tale of Samurai Cooking – A True Love Story”. Public deployment of the Otomi app is planned for 2014.
Key features of the integration:
· Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology, enabling real-time rendition of the audio content to the smartphone, including subtitles in any language
· Cross-platform solution based on watermarking technology, ensuring delivery to any iOS and Android mobile device without the need for an Internet connexion
· First subtitle and sign language app to provide real-time content for the hearing impaired in cinemas. The app can also be used in museums, art galleries and exhibitions
The synchronization between the content and the 2nd screen relies on Civolution’s widely deployed SyncNow ACR solution. SyncNow enables real-time identification and second-accurate synchronization between broadcast, on-demand or recorded content and interactive applications on companion devices – tablets, smartphones and laptops – to present compelling synchronized interactive user experiences. SyncNow already powers a range of 2nd screen consumer applications for movie and show producers, broadcasters, 2nd screen platform providers and advertisers worldwide.
About Civolution
Civolution (www.civolution.com) is the leading provider of technology and solutions to identify, manage and monetize media content. The company offers an extensive portfolio of cutting edge digital watermarking and fingerprinting based applications for media interaction (accurate and real-time video synchronization for 2nd screen and smart TVs), media intelligence (audience measurement and media monitoring for television, radio and internet) and media protection (content filtering and forensic marking of media assets in pre-release, digital cinema, payTV and online). Follow us on Twitter: @Civolution.
About IT Access
IT Access (http://www.itaccess.co.jp/company/index-e.html) is a Japanese sales distributor of embedded software such as browser, real-time OS as well as other high engineering capabilities. Established in 2000 and headed by Yosuke Kaburagi, IT Access’ CEO and President, the company is a Civolution’s sales distributor in Japan.
About MASC (Media Access Support Center)
MASC (http://npo-masc.org) is a non-profit business established in Japan in 2006 and specialized in providing disabled-accessibility service for movie or video contents. It is headed by Tetsujiro Yamagami, the President & CEO of the organisation.
