NEXT-TT forms the technology backbone of unique PixelSub platform

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NEXT-TT forms the technology backbone of unique PixelSub platform

For immediate release – 4 June 2020, Dubai  – Profuz Digital  is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with leading post-production, localization, and entertainment company, Linxstream Media. The partnership launches with the creation of Linxstream Media’s PixelSub;  a cloud-based platform for managing localization, dubbing and timed-text services.

We provided the underlying technology to power PixelSub by integrated business management software Profuz LAPIS  with timed-text application SubtitleNEXT. Together, the resulting hybrid platform (“NEXT-TT”) provides a technology base which can be highly customized to produce precisely targeted management and localization workflows.

Linxstream Media then applied their unique localization knowledge to the base technology to create PixelSub, which is a product aimed at helping enterprises, collaborators and single users monetize and streamline localization projects efficiently, while combining the advantages of the cloud and desktop.

The PixelSub platform features the management of order creation, invoicing, project coordination and collaboration while providing multi-tier protection of content with private workspaces and a wide suite of tools designed to support the industry’s largest content creators, distributors, and studios. The PixelSub platform additionally offers other advanced features such as automatic speech recognition (ASR) and machine generated subtitles that convert text into multiple languages. These operations all incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies (MLT) into the localization services. This way, users can benefit from using a single platform in order to prepare automatic, semi-automatic and human written subtitles and captions for audio-visual content.

Machine translation and transcription are tools for automatic speech recognition (ASR) and are key functions within Profuz Digital’s NEXT-TT platform.  NEXT- TT includes automatic translation of text from one language to another and automatic transformation of actors’ voices into captions and subtitles.  All of these advanced features from NEXT-TT are now made available in PixelSub by incorporating third party engines which activate these automatic processes.

By virtually connecting to localization platform PixelSub, users can gain access to proprietary tools, technologies, and delivery capabilities that provide breakthrough client results. With Profuz Digital’s deep technology and engineering expertise, the collaboration represents a step-change in the way both businesses address the needs of the localization and subtitling market.

As part of the strategic alliance, Linxstream Media is authorized to resell products and services from Profuz Digital in the Middle East.

CEO of Profuz Digital Ivanka Vassileva stated, “We are delighted that Linxstream Media, along with their expertise of the media localization business and their presence in the Middle East, have become one of our most respected regional partners to serve the sector. Through this strategic partnership, we have essentially expanded our NEXT-TT platform offerings that will now allow users in the Middle East to benefit from a localized version of our powerful NEXT-TT solution backed by reliable local systems integration, onboarding and continuous technical support services. Working together and joining hands with Linxstream Media as one of our key partners will enable us to deliver an integrated and optimal experience for our customers in the region.”

Profuz Digital’s CTO Kamen Ferdinandov and developer of the NEXT-TT platform said, “Our hybrid NEXT-TT platform which was created by combining both our LAPIS and SubtitleNEXT functionalities, provides a versatile backbone to power-focused localization services. Linxstream Media has demonstrated this with PixelSub. The main advantage of our technologies is that they are highly adaptable to each client’s specific requirements, allowing a wide range of different configurations and UI experiences. This project with PixelSub demonstrates that our distributor PBT EU openly welcomes ideas from companies of all sizes to share their unique vision and understanding of the localization processes which we can adapt to form a specialised bespoke solution.”

Founder of Linxstream Media Rafiq M. Sarwari confirmed, “PBT EU and Profuz Digital helped build the remarkable cloud-based multi-layered PixelSub platform based on Profuz Digital’s NEXT-TT solution. One of the key factors that we took into consideration when we first approached them about collaborating, was whether we were willing to invest in each other’s vision and commitment to develop a product that would be truly unique and innovative, and also be able to simplify the arduous localization tasks. So, together we developed a mutualistic linkage and a shared way of working together that serves both of our clients’ interests. Working with PBT EU was simply the right choice. From the start it was clear that the team was willing to roll up their sleeves and get things done and deliver on their promises.”

Rafiq expanded, “The partnership between Linxstream Media and PBT EU has provided us with a localization and subtitling platform that truly is a one stop shop for our clients. PBT EU’s understanding of complex digital product development, its deep engineering expertise and collaborative approach is uniquely complimentary to how a Linxstream team works. With presence in Europe, North America, Canada, India and the Middle East, and the added capabilities of over 7,000+ global freelance translators, this partnership will allow us to drive far more business impact for our clients.”

“In summary, both PBT EU and Linxstream’s combined years of experience and expertise, and our shared willingness to be open and agile, have contributed to the creation an advanced platform that not only solves many problems but simplifies daily tasks. Simply said, excellence speaks for itself!” concluded Rafiq.

 

To find out more about NEXT-TT, visit https://profuzdigital.com/next-tt/

To find out more about PixelSub, visit https://www.linxstream.com/services/pixelsub/

SubtitleNEXT Version 5.6 features new Smart Text Assist

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New Smart Text Assist in SubtitleNEXT provides efficiency for text editing and live subtitling



We are delighted to announce the release of SubtitleNEXT Version 5.6, with the focus on a brand new centralised Smart Text Assist feature designed for editing and live subtitling scenarios.  Live subtitling helps increase global outreach for broadcasts, live events, online meetings, streaming video and audio and is a great tool to remove language barriers.

The new Smart Text Assist feature in SubtitleNEXT significantly speeds up and simplifies the entire text-altering process. It combines all of the text-altering tools in one place so that they can be easily accessed. This provides a reliable and consistent framework for busy subtitlers to achieve fast results. Text-altering refers to changes in text constructs or meaning, such as date or time formats, units of measurement, replacement phrases, translations, corrections, and the reorganisation of text. (Watch the Smart Text Assist in action here via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFDA49JohO4&t=1s)

SubtitleNEXT enables users to connect to broadcast feeds, webinars, Skype, Zoom, AV desks, live streams, or any live audio source.  The translated subtitles are then delivered back to the screen, laptop, tablet, or smart phone in real time. Subtitles are the simplest and most efficient way to share content in any language and the Smart Text Assist helps to significantly speed up text altering in SubtitleNEXT 5.6.

Developer of SubtitleNEXT Kamen Ferdinandov of Toronto-based Profuz Digital says, “To put the new Smart Text Assist feature in context, most text editing programs don’t have all the tools readily available for users to easily access, as they are usually a separate tool that has to be activated within the system they are using, or they have to open an external program. Overall, the process is time-consuming and entails multiple commands (clicking, typing, key-pressing) in order to get a result. With the new Smart Text Assist, we have eradicated these hassles. Now users only have to select the portion of text they’re interested in changing, and in just one to two clicks, the required results will be instantaneous with the text replaced. We enjoy interfacing with customers to find out how we can continue to keep introducing new tools like this in SubtitleNEXT that deliver results.”

SubtitleNEXT is a powerful application that creates both subtitles and captions.  It is used for same language translation, transcribing, adaptation (SDHH), dialogue and other audible or visible text and commentaries, with efficiency at remarkable speed and accuracy. It provides users with a multi-file synchronous browsing editing feature with an “editor-like” experience that adapts to all the up to date language rules and adjustments. SubtitleNEXT can run on major operating systems such as Windows, Linux and MAC OS, and is primarily aimed at subtitling and captioning professionals, through to Language Services Providers, production, post-production companies and broadcasters.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SMART TEXT ASSIST FEATURE IN SUBTITLENEXT VERSION 5.6

SubtitleNEXT  supports non file-based media and direct video signals such as analogue, digital, and streaming which makes it perfect for all types of live shows and events such as festivals, live gigs, the Opera, theatre, presentations, conferences, seminars and so forth.  Its “automation for airing” feature is also useful for live shows and events with prepared subtitles. The full set of digital cinema and TTML format features are also fully supported in SubtitleNEXT, including text positions, effects, sizes and colours, styling, looks including user configurable screen layouts that can be personalised to suit the project and user’s convenience.

Advantages of the new Smart Text Assist feature in SubtitleNEXT 5.6 include: –  quick access to vocabulary, automatic translation, thesaurus and dictionary support, spell checking, Unit and RegEx conversions, including Time and Date Formatting, outlined in more detail below:

Vocabulary function – this allows users to quickly access their collection of phrases, names, locations, and so forth, from one central place.

Automatic Translation function –  allows subtitlers to configure and choose from one or more translation engines such as Google and Microsoft, to provide parallel variants of a translation.

Thesaurus and Dictionary Support –  supports Libre Office/OpenOffice dictionaries.

Spell Checking – verifies proper word usage and spelling.

Unit Conversions – automatically converts to other units such as mass, length, area, temperature, based on the selected text (For example, for 12 lbs, suggested conversions will include 5.44kg, 5443 g, and 192 ounces).

RegEx Conversions – “RegEx” engine allows advanced text manipulations with unlimited functionality for altering text. All valid user-configured RegEx filters will be offered. For example, users can fix capitalisation if a word begins with more than one capital letter in a sentence, including the ability to swap words, remove repeated words, profanity filtering, and so forth.

Date and Time Formatting  – automatically suggests various formats for both European and American date formats (for example, if the selected text is 12.3.20, suggestions will include 12/03/20, 12/03/2020, and 12 Mar 2020).

PBT EU’s CEO Ivanka Vassileva adds, “With successful businesses increasingly investing in subtitles and captions to boost viewer engagement, the new Smart Text Assist is a timely addition in SubtitleNEXT which centralises the multiple alternative text assistants which can then enable users to export in either format of choice. Subtitling does not add any large expense to the overall budget. Filmmakers, production companies, broadcasters, through to individual professional subtitlers working from home, all need to view subtitling as an affordable “add-on” that increases product value, adheres to accessibility rights, and gives a competitive edge. Live subtitles are everywhere and aid communication efforts – it’s the future and a feature like Smart Text Assist helps accelerate processes phenomenally.”

To order the new version SubtitleNEXT 5.6, shop online at https://shop.profuzdigital.com/

To find out more about SubtitleNEXT visit www.SubtitleNEXT.com

 

Profuz Digital’s LAPIS is system of choice for Canal+ Myanmar FG

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Canal+ Myanmar FG selected Profuz LAPIS to manage localization of thousands of hours of content, ensuring quality subtitling & file-format compliance for playout

Profuz Digital is delighted to announce the adoption of the Profuz LAPIS system at CANAL+ Myanmar FG, marking the first deployment of the technology in the Asia-Pacific region.

CANAL+ Myanmar FG is now currently implementing Profuz LAPIS to process, manage and control the localization of thousands of hours of legacy and newly produced content, ensuring quality of subtitling and file-format compliance towards playout and broadcast.

CANAL+ Group is the leading Pay-TV group in French-speaking countries, with a high international profile, boasting an ever-growing presence in fast-developing markets, such as Poland, Vietnam and recently Myanmar.

The CANAL+ Group launched activities in Myanmar in partnership with the leading private Burmese media group Forever Group, enabling subscribers to watch local and international content localized into Burmese, on DTT, DTH and mobile devices.

Profuz LAPIS is a global business process and information management platform designed to create scalable customized modules that adapt to every type of complex business structure. It effectively connects all the dots that a business interacts with including multiple-companies, outsourcing, partners, suppliers and customers, while constantly adapting to the needs of the organization.

”Canal+ Myanmar FG is managing internally 9 in-house channels, implying a massive amount of media assets to secure, localize, index and control. Profuz LAPIS was the perfect match for us to combine a Media Asset Management with our specific internal workflows. Profuz Digital’s team has provided a strong support all along the project in order to customize the product according to our specifications and to make it a powerful solution, yet very user-friendly for our collaborators and partners.” states Maxime Woimant, Chief Technology and Information Officer at CANAL+ Myanmar FG.

Profuz Digital’s CTO, Kamen Ferdinandov notes, “Canal+ Group provides an extremely valuable service across the globe, and we are proud that Profuz LAPIS can play an important role with them in the ASEAN region. As a team that places our customers as first priority, we deeply value the relationship we have with Canal+ Myanmar FG and are well positioned to support their Pay-TV development in the region.”

To find out more about Profuz LAPIS visit https://profuzdigital.com/media-and-broadcast-solutions/

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Media Information

 

About CANAL+ Group

CANAL+ Group is the leading Pay-TV group in France, ranking first both for its premium-content networks with the generalist channel CANAL+ and associated channels, and its themed networks. It is also the top multi-channel platform and pay-tv distributor in France. CANAL+ Group has a high international profile, with a presence in fast-developing markets. It is the leading pay-tv operator in French-speaking countries, particularly in Africa where it has nearly 3.5 million subscribers. It is also present in Poland, Vietnam and recently Myanmar. Overall, CANAL+ Group has over 15.5 million subscribers worldwide, including 8 million in mainland France. A free-to-air TV operator with three national channels, including France fifth highest rating channel, C8, and in-house advertising sales division CANAL+ REGIE, the Group is also a benchmark player in commercial TV. Through its subsidiary STUDIOCANAL, CANAL+ Group is the European leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and TV series.  Group CANAL+ is fully owned by Vivendi, a global media and content production and distribution group.

 

NEXTClub is a dynamic Resource to help Subtitling Professionals Excel

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NEXTClub is the industry pro’s NEXT best thing

Profuz Digital is delighted to announce the launch of a dedicated member site NEXTClub to connect user groups all around the world. NEXTclub was designed with the intention of offering an online gathering place for translators, subtitlers, interpreters and captionists. Freely open to everyone who registers, it welcomes first-time users to experts from every profession and background. Exciting zones to explore in the NEXTClub lounge include NEXTblog, NEXTnews, NEXTtips, NEXTbreak, NEXTacademy, NEXTcommunity and NEXTmembership which can be accessed at https://subtitlenext.com/club/

The NEXTClub is fondly termed the “home of subtitling” by current members and presents a rich resource of information and the chance to become friends with other SubtitleNEXT product users and pros, as well as share tips and get questions answered while having a lot of fun at the same time.

“NEXTClub is a unique digital space to do business for the ambitious, or just to unwind after hours;  – NEXTClub is at the heart of our network. Designed for pros by pros, they’re online havens where members can take time out, or put work in; places to meet a network of brilliant, like-minded people or use them as virtual spaces where significant things happen every day to enhance your work life.” Declares CEO and managing partner Ivanka Vassileva.

The NEXTacademy is evolving into an educational space aimed at equipping students and industry newcomers with the tools to achieve their goals and build confidence along the way. The team behind the SubtitleNEXT software are passionate about preparing students for the workforce by providing access to critical skills they need to qualify for high-demand and high-skill jobs in subtitling and captioning careers.

We opened the NEXTClub to provide an ideal hub to host our subtitling community. It is a workspace that doesn’t feel like a workspace. NEXTClub exemplifies our vision where everyone is welcome to experience the latest updates in SubtitleNEXT modules, platforms, services and inspiring educational programs and exclusive blogs online. The goal is to shine a spotlight on inspirational individuals. We are proud to showcase work that supports, empowers and connects the community positively. We are excited to embrace a growing community and invite anyone interested in the industry to join NEXTClub and benefit from it as well as contribute creative ideas. We warmly welcome all members on board with our incredible partners.

SubtitleNEXT is quickly being adopted at many well-respected organizations such as Italy’s IT Pros Subtitles® ,The European School of Translation, the New Bulgarian University and Listen Up foundation as well as the largest production house in the Benelux region Videohouse in Belgium, plus many more.

What professionals are saying about SubtitleNEXT

Andrea Spila, Director of Studies at the European School of Translation stated, “We are honored to partner with SubtitleNEXT and very excited to start this joint venture. We are sure that our students will greatly benefit by using SubtitleNEXT during our courses and that they will be fully equipped subtitlers when they enter the industry.”

Lecturer at New Bulgarian University Amelia Mareva says, “SubtitleNEXT is an innovative and well-established software, which offers subtitlers of the future powerful subtitling and timed text toolsets that help professionals to sustain development in this field. It’s a proven and trusted product with over 20 years of industry expertise behind it. It is managed by a highly motivated team who are driven to provide industry professionals with the very best technology. Their ethos is reflected in how they equip experts in the field to make a positive difference in people’s lives. That is why we are proud to adopt technology like SubtitleNEXT in our department at NBU.”  

Elisabeth Barber, Subtitler/Translator at Videohouse currently using the SubtitleNEXT software reveals: “We have been using SubtitleNEXT for a couple of months now, mainly for creating subtitles and proofreading existing subtitles. It’s still relatively new to us, so we still have to get accustomed to it a bit more, but it has already proven to be a decent subtitling tool.”

IT Pros Subtitles®’ experienced subtitler Monica Paolillo who trained a group of translation professionals to master the software notes, “…I am therefore very proud to play a part in such a positive educational scheme using SubtitleNEXT. It does make the hard work enjoyable. This course sets a great example of how applications like SubtitleNEXT can be applied in a business case scenario within a fast-paced high-pressure area …What I like about SubtitleNEXT is that, once you’ve gone through the necessary learning curve, it has potential to do exactly what you want it to do, responding to your own commands and keyboard shortcuts, tailoring your subtitler experience throughout the process, offering “nice-to-have” customisation features that do contribute to making your hard work enjoyable…Full marks to you, SubtitleNEXT. I’d encourage all professionals to get up to speed with it as it is a great tool for our profession.”

Founder & chairperson at the Listen Up Foundation, Ashod Derandonyan states, “ Profuz Digital is a fine example of dynamic company that is fully committed to the Rights of Equal Access to audio-visual content for the Deaf and hard of hearing and is taking positive action with tangible strategies to see change in this area. We welcome their passion and support.” 

To celebrate the opening, SubtitleNEXT has provided a comprehensive pilot demo that will provide users with a taster of the tools to pursue their passions within the timed text closed captioning and subtitling profession. Members are encouraged to invite and introduce guests, who we naturally encourage to join us in changing the conversation in a dynamic industry we are proud to belong to. https://subtitlenext.com/demo-download/

To become a NEXTClub member, join here https://subtitlenext.com/club/

Award-winning Doli Media Studio embraces Profuz LAPIS and SubtitleNEXT solution ramping up security and efficiency levels

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Doli Media Studio turns to Profuz Digital to transform the way they work by bringing processes into a single environment

Established audio post-production specialists Doli Media Studio have installed Profuz LAPIS with SubtitleNEXT and EXEcutor Sync Master to power its creative sound production workflow across their newly refurbished and upgraded facilities. SubtitleNEXT is an advanced captioning and subtitling software platform and ProfuzLAPIS is a powerful business process and information management system designed to efficiently centralize processes and data under one roof. The solutions currently being tested in a real environment, will provide Doli Media with an additional layer of security, transparency, and automation across the studio network as the company continues to grow.

Dolby Atmos Mixing and Colour Grading Stage

Dolby Atmos Mixing and Colour Grading Stage

Doli Media Studio has been specializing in bespoke music composition, voice-over recording, dubbing, creative sound design and mixing since 1992. The company was recently presented with an innovation award in November by Bulgaria’s president. Over the years sound engineers and producers have created audio for hundreds of radio, television, and cinema commercial and also produced soundtracks and recorded voices for movies, radio programmes and much more. The expansive premises include numerous sound stages, spacious dubbing and music suites including a state of the art Dolby Atmos Mixing Studio, 19 subtitling workstations, video editing and TV and cinema grading suites. The location also boasts an inviting garden and restaurant as well where clients are made to feel comfortable and welcome.

Kamen Ferdinandov, CTO and Co-founder at Profuz Digital states, “Our solution is designed to support Doli Media from the acquisition of the content phase right through the entire work cycle and provide additional layer of security. Profuz LAPIS, which is a web based system, automatically prepares, ingests, converts, encrypts and watermarks materials used by employees, freelancers and contractors for localization, translation, editing, dubbing, voice-over, subtitling and so forth.” He adds, “Literally, everything related to data processing now conveniently falls under one roof – bringing content management, project and task management, user permissions and access rights, business process management, invoicing and reporting all together into a single environment to make life so much easier for Doli Media so they have more time to concentrate on their creativity and customers.”

Lyubomir Chochov, Operations Manager at Doli Media Studio says, “We have a great relationship with Profuz Digital and respect their expertise and level of commitment. They understand how crucial security is for our clients. Profuz Digital designed its system with advantages to ensure processes have increased visibility and transparency. It’s common for localization studios to work with freelancers and part time contractors. So now with this set up, we only have to arrange temporary access for converted, encrypted, watermarked videos and only for the time when the task is being worked on, giving us additional protection.” Adding, “The design and philosophy behind Profuz Digital’s software and implementation model gives us the freedom and flexibility needed for the dynamic of our business. They are easy to install and save us time and money. They are also easily integrated with professional audio tools through LTC or MIDI TC and there’s no need for us to have to download and transcode web or DRM protected videos. We are proud of how we adopt the latest technology and very excited how Profuz Digital is transforming the way we work to be even more efficient.”

About Doli Media Studio – visit them at http://www.dolimediastudio.com/