Why 3Play Media Is Better at Audio Description

February 5, 2021 BY JACLYN LAZZARI
Updated: October 20, 2023

When searching for an audio description service, it can be challenging to find a solution that delivers on all fronts. Audio description quality, compliance, workflow, integrations, turnaround, and multiple output options are some of the main factors companies look for in a viable audio description vendor.

In this post, we’ll discuss five reasons why 3Play Media’s audio description service stands out.

 

10 Questions to Ask an Audio Description Vendor

 

3Play’s Audio Description Service

  • Adheres to stringent quality standards based on ACB, DCMP, and ADLAB guidelines.
  • Has a team of US-based describers skilled in writing audio descriptions.
  • Provides multiple download, integration, and turnaround options for seamless AD workflows.
  • Offers the option to choose between standard and extended audio description.
  • Enables you to natively publish audio description almost anywhere with the 3Play Plugin.

 

 

Quality Audio Description

Providing you with a quality audio description service is one of our top priorities. We do several things for quality assurance, including following stringent internal standards and hiring skilled describers.

We’ve based our internal quality standards on a number of sources, including:

  1. The American Council for the Blind’s Audio Description Coalition’s Standards for Audio Description and Code of Professional Conduct for Describers
  2. The Described and Captioned Media Program’s Description Key (from the Department of Education)
  3. The EU’s ADLAB (Audio Description: Lifelong Access for the Blind) Guidelines

We adhere to audio description industry best practices such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and continuously gather feedback from end-users. We also keep up with changes in best practices, such as the Disability Advisory Committee Audio Description Quality Working Group’s recent FCC recommendations.

Skilled Team of Describers

Our robust base of describers closely follows our internal audio description standards. The US-based team of 3Play Media describers undergo a scrupulous application process that includes showcasing their description skills, providing samples of AD work, and demonstrating the ability to follow our internal standards.

Sephora + 3Play Media Audio Description

Learn how Sephora implemented a streamlined captioning and audio description workflow to highlight product features on their website.

Read the Sephora Case Study

Workflow Capabilities

One common challenge for audio description is creating a streamlined workflow. This is due to the tricky nature of publishing audio description and the lack of player compatibility for AD.

3Play Media’s audio description service offers solutions to help you create a workflow that fits your unique needs. We offer integrations with major platforms that support audio description, including Kaltura, Brightcove, and Wistia. Integrations enable customers to use an auto-post-back feature in which the audio description will be automatically published to the corresponding video once it’s complete.

To ensure an AD workflow you can rely on, we guarantee turnaround times back by SLAs and provide multiple turnaround options, including standard, expedited, and rush.

Multiple AD Output Options

Our audio description service includes download options that go beyond a text-only file. You can download an audio description file as an MP3, OGG, WAV, MP4, WebVTT, DOC, TXT, Merged TXT, and Merged DOC.

Depending on your content, you may need standard or extended audio description. With our audio description service, you can choose what works best for you. Standard AD fits descriptions into the natural pauses of a video without altering the video in any way. Extended audio description allows the source video to pause temporarily to create room for lengthier descriptions when necessary.

 

 

3Play Plugin – Simple Publishing

If you don’t use a video player that supports audio description, then we provide customers the option to utilize the 3Play Plugin tool at no additional cost.

The 3Play Plugin is a tool that helps make your videos more interactive, SEO-friendly, and accessible. The plugin supports many optional features like interactive transcript, caption embed, and audio description.

The plugin’s audio description embed allows you to add AD to videos without having to republish your audio or video files and is compatible with most video players and learning management systems.


Interested in learning how our audio description service can help your video reach new heights? 3Play Media provides high quality, competitively priced audio description services for online video. Plus, you’ll have access to features and tools to help you customize your descriptions and simplify the publishing workflow.

 

Learn More about 3Play’s Audio Description Service

 

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