Closed Captioning

[Kevin523]

First of all, my post is not meant to offend anyone at all. I was looking at the differences between the pro and free versions of dvd rebuilder. There I notice that extraction of closed captioning is a "feature" of the pro version.

I am a hard of hearing and legally blind individual who relies on closed captioning heavily. I must say i was a little disappointed that I couldn't get the closed captioning from the free version.

Please don't misunderstand me, I think the product is excellent..and I realize it takes a lot of hard work/time and money to create such software. But I'm a little disappointed about closed captioning, a feature for the hearing and visually impairred is listed as a feature instead of a necesity feature. The closed captioning stream was put into dvds/tv so that individuals like myself can enjoy the movie. This is a way for people with disabilities to have an equal opportunity to enjoy the movies like everyone else does.

To have closed captioning as a feature of the pro version is a little disappointing since it was added to help people enjoy the movie..and I don't see it as a feature.

Now all the other items listed as features I agree with.

But having closed captioning as a feature where many people rely on this feature..well I think it's a little unfair to make it a feature people must pay to retain.

I know some may argue that dvds have subtitles..but often they are not accuate because it only describes dialogue and not sound cues in the movie. Also there are some dvds that dont include subtitles at all and this is where I get stuck.

Please don't take this as a bashing, as I am not trying to offend the developer. I just think that the author should reconsider adding this "feature" as a necesity in all versions of dvd rebuilder so that hearing/visually impairred individuals such as myself may enjoy their movies.

To me this would almost be like making subtitles a feature of the pro version (along similar lines but not exactly the same thing).

I ask you to please consider allowing closed captioning in the free version so that all can enjoy their movies equally with everyone else.

Thank you for a superb program.

Kevin

[linx05]

Why not donate? It isn't much. If you're buying all those movies surely you can hold out for one or two and give some money to jdobbs :).

[jdobbs]

The problem is that DVD-RB Pro and DVD-RB freeware are not two versions of the same program any more. They are two different programs completely. Also, closed captioning retention isn't a simple matter when you are reencoding a DVD. No encoders of which I am aware have the capability to include CC.

But, after a request from one of my users, I spent a considerable amount of time adding it to the Pro version. It wasn't like I "left it out" of the freeware version so it could be a feature in the Pro. I added it to the Pro version in one of the more recent releases because it was requested by a VIP user.

I'll look at how much work it will be in adding it to the freeware version, and if I have some free time I may add it.

But, even though I understand your point, you are asking me to spend a considerable amount of my time to do this -- and do it for nothing. I firmly feel that when someone does something for nothing (essentially donating his/her time to a cause), he/she also has the right to decide how to allocate that time. You may want to read the "free pie" posts on the forum. When you make the conscious decision to use something that is "free" you are also making the conscious decision to use it with any of its limitations.

Just so you understand the situation -- I also don't make enough on the Professional Edition to cover minimum wage.... a considerable portion of it goes for buying DVDs for testing (that I don't necessarily want) when I get bug reports -- bottom line is I'd do better by getting a paper route. I just do this because I feel it needs to be done. I don't think it's unfair to ask someone else (who may not have the programming skills to develop software) to make a donation (like my time). The Professional Edition is meant to be an incentive for someone to do that with $ instead of time.

[Guest]

If I have diabetes, should the drug companies give me insulin for nothing just because I am "insulin challenged"?

Pony up the $30 donation.

[Kevin523]

I apologize if I seemed a little harsh about this topic..and I truly am sorry for coming off like that. I guess i was just a little disappointed.

Please note to the developer, I never meant any disrespect..so I hope none was taken.

I understand your point much more now, and I wish I had inquired about it before i went on a rant. I hope all is forgiven.

I wish i had 30 bucks to contribute..unfortunately money is extremly tight right now for me. Don't get me wrong I definitely think the donation is worth it for such a wonderful program..it's just not something I can do right now.

As for the last poster, I'm not sure if your analogy is quite the same but i get your point.. :)

I may not be able to contribute 30 bucks, but I'm thinking of contributing a few..figuring every little bit helps in the testing and development of the program. :)
thanks,
Kevin

[Guest]

As for the last poster, I'm not sure if your analogy is quite the same That's what makes it an analogy. Otherwise it would be an identity. :)