stagecaptions.io

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Stage Captions is a browser-based SaaS platform for real-time closed captioning, specializing in automatic speech-to-text conversion for live events. It falls under the technical category of AI-powered accessibility and broadcast production tools.
2. Core Value Proposition: It eliminates complex hardware/software setups by delivering production-ready live captions instantly via web browsers, ensuring accessibility compliance and enhancing audience engagement for conferences, broadcasts, and hybrid events.

Main Features

1. Low-Latency Captioning Engine: Utilizes proprietary ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) technology to process audio with sub-second delay. The engine dynamically adapts to background noise and speaker accents, achieving industry-leading 1–2 second latency for live sports, keynotes, and broadcasts.
2. Custom Terminology Dictionaries: Allows users to upload CSV files of brand names, technical jargon, or industry-specific terms. The system prioritizes these entries during transcription, ensuring 99%+ accuracy for specialized vocabulary (e.g., medical terms at conferences or player names in sports commentary).
3. Presenter Dashboard: A centralized web interface for managing caption rooms, audio inputs (mic, system audio, or HDMI capture), and real-time monitoring. Features include caption style customization (fonts, colors), speaker identification, and latency analytics.
4. QR-Powered Viewer: Generates scannable QR codes for instant audience access. Viewers see synchronized captions on personal devices (phones, tablets) without apps, leveraging WebSocket technology for sub-500ms updates.
5. Browser Output Integration: Delivers captions via a unique URL compatible with OBS Studio, Resolume Arena, vMix, and professional display systems. Supports WebVTT and SRT formats for broadcast workflows, requiring zero plugins.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: High-cost, delayed human captioning services struggle with technical terminology and scalability during large events. Stage Captions automates this at 90% lower cost with near-instant setup.
2. Target Audience: Event producers (conferences/hybrid events), AV technicians (broadcasts), university administrators (lectures), and sports broadcast engineers.
3. Use Cases:
   • Compliance: Meets ADA/FCC accessibility mandates for live streams.
   • Global Events: Supports 30+ languages (e.g., Spanish captions for international summits).
   • Crisis Management: Enables real-time captions during emergency briefings when human transcribers are unavailable.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike desktop-based competitors (e.g., StreamText), Stage Captions requires no installations, offers built-in custom dictionaries, and integrates directly with production software via browser URLs.
2. Key Innovation: Patent-pending "adaptive latency" algorithm balances speed and accuracy by analyzing speech patterns in real time, reducing errors by 40% compared to generic ASR tools like Google Live Transcribe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How accurate is Stage Captions for technical presentations?
   Accuracy exceeds 95% for English with custom dictionaries, leveraging context-aware AI to handle niche terms like scientific jargon or product names.
2. Does Stage Captions work with Zoom or Microsoft Teams?
   Yes, capture system audio via browser or route HDMI through capture cards to generate captions for webinar platforms and hybrid events.
3. What’s the maximum audience size for QR-based viewing?
   The platform scales to 10,000+ concurrent viewers using cloud-based content delivery networks (CDNs), ideal for stadium events or virtual conferences.
4. Can I export transcripts post-event?
   Yes, automatically generated transcripts are downloadable in SRT, TXT, or VTT formats for archiving or editing.
5. Is internet bandwidth a limitation for presenters?
   The engine optimizes for low bandwidth (128 Kbps minimum), with adaptive bitrate streaming ensuring stability even in unstable network environments.