http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_captioning

Closed-captioning is a function of NTSC.  Therefore, this feature should be removed for all PAL DVDs and Blu-Ray and HD DVD.

Not to mention that there is no way to prevent correct data from being replaced with bad data at Wiki. They are certainly NOT an authoritative source. I am always very careful about trying to make blanket statements because it NEVER takes long for them to be proven wrong.

HD/BD also has nothing to do with CC. CC is a form of captioning which requires, originally special decoding circuitry to read the signal, today it can be read with software. Increasingly Studios are using Open English Subs a la Universal OR English SDH (which is still Open), this is done simply to avoid paying the licensing fee to the Closed Captioning Institute and it can just easily be encoded on HD/BD as DVD. So while it is true that MANY Studios are following the lead of Universal and Disney, that does NOT mean that they ALL are.

Skip

HDTV uses a completely different captioning system which is not available on Blu-Ray.  As used in DVD Profiler, it specifically means line 21 captions.  Anything else goes under subtitles.

Wikipedia wasn't my initial source, just a handy link for the info.

Quoting northbloke:

Quote:
As TommyG says, I'm sure I've seen the CC logo on a number of PAL DVDs, so I wouldn't like the program restricting things that way.
I don't even like the way the program won't let you have a region 1 PAL disc because although I've never seen one, it's still possible to create one.

Do those PAL DVDs really have closed captions and not subtitles for the hearing impaired? I'm quite sure that's technically not possible.

Quoting TommyG:

Quote:
Further to this, if you read the Wiki entry it never states that Closed Captioning is only NTSC.  It discusses the fact where Closed Captioning is stored on an NTSC DVD.

Also, having a large number of PAL DVDs that say 'Closed Caption' or as Wiki states .... 'commonly known as subtitles, and also called subtitles for the hearing impaired' on the back of them .. I think the argument is moot.

Tommy:

Such as what you describe are NOT CC, that has a specific definiton. There is nothing needed electronically or via software to display English Subs for the hard of hearing. Plus if the distributor uses such subs they do not pay a lecensing fee to the Closed Captioning Institute. CC is NOT a subtitle, it is CLOSED captioning and is so designated by the CC logo, not an SDH logo or actual identification of subs.

@Noles
I know of NO technical prohibition which would preclude inclusion of CC on HD/BD, it has nothing to do with some oddity of the format.

Skip

Quoting northbloke:

Quote:
Quoting RHo:

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Do those PAL DVDs really have closed captions and not subtitles for the hearing impaired? I'm quite sure that's technically not possible.

I'm at work, so can't check, but the closed captioning system is available in the UK as a separate box available for the deaf, so it is possible that some DVDs do include the signal, and not just subtitles.

I'm fairly certain this is only for video (VHS) not DVD. I certainly can't recall seeing the actual CC logo on UK dvds.

The following is from the RNID website. Which does distinguish between the two.

Quote:

Subtitles on DVDs

Many films released on DVD have subtitles. Some DVDs have subtitles especially for deaf people. These are more descriptive – they describe a particular noise or the type of music playing – so it is easier for you to follow the film you are watching. You can check by looking at the back of the DVD box, where it should list what subtitles are available.
How to access subtitles on DVDs

When you play a DVD, an introduction menu will usually appear on the screen, showing the title of the film. If subtitles are available, you need to select the Subtitles option before you play the film. Another menu may appear if the subtitles are available in more than one language.

You may also find the website www.dvd-subtitles.com/ (external link, opens new browser window) useful. It gives detailed subtitling information for many popular DVD releases.
Subtitles on pre-recorded videotapes

Many pre-recorded videos have subtitles for deaf people. These are specially coded subtitles called 'closed-caption subtitles'. To find out if the pre-recorded video tapes you want to rent or buy has closed caption subtitles, make sure it has the closed caption symbol on the video storage box.

To display the subtitles, you will need a closed caption decoder. This is sometimes called a video caption reader or video reader. Closed caption decoders are easy to install. They have cables that plug into your television and video recorder. People who do not have a closed caption decoder can watch the same video but will not see the subtitles.

There is an argument the more descriptive subs need to be recorded into Profiler, at the moment the option (setting aside rules) are using the CC tickbox or the other notes fields.

Quoting skipnet50:

Quote:
@Noles
I know of NO technical prohibition which would preclude inclusion of CC on HD/BD, it has nothing to do with some oddity of the format.

"For all types of NTSC programming, captions are "encoded" into Line 21 of the vertical blanking interval – a part of the TV picture that sits just above the visible portion and is usually unseen."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_caption
(And yes, Wikipedia or not, that is correct as it is similar to european 'Teletext/Videotext' which also uses invisible overscan-lines.)

I really doubt that HDTV as a pixel-based technology still has those 'invisible' lines. 
HDTV may, or may not have a built in transport capacity for subtitles, but not the piggybacked CC.

cya, Mithi

PAL Equipment will not read CC's. It's an NTSC norm implementation.

PAL uses another system called teletext. Teletext not only allows captioning as well as text and very basic graphic menus and was a response to NTSC's CCs.
.
Actually teletext (although originally designed for captions) was very seldomly used for that. It became popular as TV guide, weather forecast pages and other such services due to its extra features.