# In-Band Captions
Captions come in two varieties, based on their relationship to the
video. Typically on the web, captions are delivered as a separate file
and associated with a video through the `<track>` element. This type
of captions are sometimes referred to as *out-of-band*.

The alternative method involves embedding the caption data directly into
the video content and is sometimes called *in-band captions*. In-band
captions exist in many videos today that were originally encoded for
broadcast and they are also a standard method used to provide captions
for live events. In-band HLS captions follow the CEA-708 standard.

In this project, in-band captions are parsed using a [CaptionStream][caption-stream]. For MPEG2-TS sources, the CaptionStream is used as part of the [Transmuxer TS Pipeline][transmuxer]. For ISOBMFF sources, the CaptionStream is used as part of the [MP4 CaptionParser][mp4-caption-parser].

## Is my stream CEA-608/CEA-708 compatible?

If you are having difficulties getting caption data as you expect out of Mux.js, take a look at our [Troubleshooting Guide](/docs/troubleshooting.md#608/708-caption-parsing) to ensure your content is compatible.

# Useful Tools

- [CCExtractor][cc-extractor]
- [Thumbcoil][thumbcoil]

# References
- [Rec. ITU-T H.264][h264-spec]: H.264 video data specification. CEA-708 captions are encapsulated in supplemental enhancement information (SEI) network abstraction layer (NAL) units within the video stream.
- [ANSI/SCTE 128-1][ansi-scte-spec]: the binary encapsulation of caption data within an SEI user_data_registered_itu_t_t35 payload.
- CEA-708-E: describes the framing and interpretation of caption data reassembled out of the picture user data blobs.
- CEA-608-E: specifies the hex to character mapping for extended language characters.
- [Closed Captioning Intro by Technology Connections](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SL6zs2bDks)

[h264-spec]: https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-H.264
[ansi-scte-spec]: https://www.scte.org/documents/pdf/Standards/ANSI_SCTE%20128-1%202013.pdf
[caption-stream]: /lib/m2ts/caption-stream.js
[transmuxer]: /lib/mp4/transmuxer.js
[mp4-caption-parser]: /lib/mp4/caption-parser.js
[thumbcoil]: http://thumb.co.il/
[cc-extractor]: https://github.com/CCExtractor/ccextractor