Interview with Marco Ranieri (from Newslinet)
CapTune: The AI Software for Real-Time Subtitling
“Television is no longer consumed as it once was: broadcasters feel the need to distribute their content on-demand as well, using interactive and innovative solutions. We are just at the beginning.”
With these words, Marco Ranieri, co-founder of Rubidia, describes the ongoing transformation in the broadcast industry and the need to adopt new technologies to enhance the viewer experience.
In this context, CapTune was born, an innovative artificial intelligence-based software that “listens” to live broadcasts and generates automatic subtitles. Unlike traditional speech-to-text transcribers, CapTune interprets the context and applies more natural formatting, improving readability and comprehension.
Key features of CapTune
CapTune introduces several advanced functionalities that set it apart from conventional tools:
- Enhanced readability: It recognizes proper names and writes them in uppercase, inserts quotation marks for citations, and applies correct punctuation.
- Multilingual support: When detecting foreign language segments, it provides automatic translations.
- Sound recognition: It identifies music and background noises, enriching the broadcast context.
- Multiple output formats, including SDI, NDI, DVB, and EIA608, making it versatile for various applications.
Where can it be used?
The use of CapTune can be valuable in numerous settings. Besides improving accessibility for the hearing impaired, the software can be employed in public spaces such as bars and waiting rooms, where TV audio cannot be played at high volumes. This allows users to follow broadcasts by reading subtitles without needing sound.
From a technical standpoint, CapTune does not require a particularly complex infrastructure. A modern PC with an Nvidia graphics card is sufficient, and in some cases, video capture cards are needed to manage SDI signals. Additionally, the software seamlessly integrates with major playout systems without requiring advanced configurations.
Rubidia’s innovation for the future of TV
CapTune is part of a broader innovation strategy pursued by Rubidia, which has been developing tools for modernizing the broadcasting sector for years. Among these, the News Archive Suite stands out—an ecosystem designed to optimize the production and management of editorial content. This tool integrates a Media Asset Manager (MAM), Newsroom, Planner, and Playout, allowing technicians and journalists to streamline their daily work, share resources, and minimize errors in broadcasts. Rubidia’s HbbTV platform further expands its range of advanced solutions, enabling broadcasters to offer interactive content, gather audience data, and broadcast live events beyond linear programming.
The adoption of CapTune is already a reality in several broadcasters, with particular interest from religious channels, which have found subtitles to be a valuable tool for expanding their audience. The software is sold with a one-time license, without subscription fees, and in some cases, it may qualify as a reimbursable expense for television networks.
Thanks to technologies like CapTune, television is becoming increasingly accessible, interactive, and innovative.