DCTP's Hardsub Policy

[maxim]

Hello,
I'm writing this out of frustration for your "no softsub" restriction policy.
People whose vision is not so good, or people who watch on a small screen can't read small hardcoded subtitles.
They can't change the font or size, or add an opaque box for contrast, so if you have a disability or a small screen, too bad.
You're uploading a show made by someone else, editing its content, but you don't want someone to "steal" or copy your work.
Setting bizzare restrictions tarnishes your otherwise commendable work. Please, do what almost every other fansub group does - brand the filename and the opening credits, but don't put any restrictions on the actual subtitles.

[kkslider5552000]

the text for your post is smaller


/thread

[Abs.]

but you don't want someone to "steal" or copy your work.

Also, you've got the intent all wrong.

[Girl19]

[Vylash]

Hello,
I'm writing this out of frustration for your "no softsub" restriction policy.
People whose vision is not so good, or people who watch on a small screen can't read small hardcoded subtitles.
They can't change the font or size, or add an opaque box for contrast, so if you have a disability or a small screen, too bad.
You're uploading a show made by someone else, editing its content, but you don't want someone to "steal" or copy your work.
Setting bizzare restrictions tarnishes your otherwise commendable work. Please, do what almost every other fansub group does - brand the filename and the opening credits, but don't put any restrictions on the actual subtitles.

and you're illegally watching the show, looks like someone's got no right to complain

[maxim]

Actually, I can't watch your version of the show, that's the point. I downloaded two or three episodes and I couldn't read the subtitles. I also said nothing about it being illegal, it's simply hypocritical to be so protective of your work when you're modifying someone else's work.

And kkslider5552000, dynamic text can usually be enlarged, be it on a forum or on a video file. But I see your attitude, and that's all I wanted to say. Have a nice day.

[meidei]

I respect DCTP but I'd like to see maxim receiving a proper answer.
It's not like you have any obligation, but a honest "it's not going to happen because ..." is better.

[Kor]

I respect DCTP but I'd like to see maxim receiving a proper answer.
It's not like you have any obligation, but a honest "it's not going to happen because ..." is better.

I agree but...

it's simply hypocritical to be so protective of your work when you're modifying someone else's work.

You're uploading a show made by someone else, editing its content, but you don't want someone to "steal" or copy your work.

This isn't the reason why it's hardsubbed.

[Abs.]

You know, I don't have anything to do with all that technical mumbo-jumbo the boys do with their computer programs, BUT.  My understanding is that:
1) We don't provide raws.  
2) Doing the eps soft-sub makes our releases raws with the click of a button.
Ergo, we don't do soft-subs.

So as you can see, it doth seem to me that what we are doing is protecting the original work.  And if it happens that it protects our own work as well, it's but a happy byproduct.

[meidei]

I respect DCTP but I'd like to see maxim receiving a proper answer.
It's not like you have any obligation, but a honest "it's not going to happen because ..." is better.

I agree but...

it's simply hypocritical to be so protective of your work when you're modifying someone else's work.

You're uploading a show made by someone else, editing its content, but you don't want someone to "steal" or copy your work.

This isn't the reason why it's hardsubbed.

The staff members could state the real reason.
But yes, calling people hypocrites is not the best way to get an answer  :-\

[maxim]

If anyone else is having this problem, there's a partial solution - use the program "Magical Glass":
http://download.cnet.com/Magical-Glass/3000-2056_4-10405059.html

It still won't magnify all of the text, because some lines are too wide, and it will distort the background, but at least you'll be able to see something.

[Vylash]

wow, the staff must really be feeling nice, this topic hasn't been locked yet 

[Jd-]

It's not like you have any obligation, but a honest "it's not going to happen because ..." is better.

It's not going to happen because we don't want it to. The End!

(Kidding, about half of it)

wow, the staff must really be feeling nice, this topic hasn't been locked yet 

I actually completely missed it for the past few days. Here's that reply!

Basically, what you're wanting is an exception for you. I understand that you made the topic purely out of frustration and you'd like us to bend to your preference and neglect our own, out of something we do for free. I want you to reply to this post in Pig Latin, while we're asking for favors.

There's a means of solving the small screen problem for those that are affected by it, of course: save up and buy a bigger one. I have an HDTV that I use for a monitor, and they are crazy cheap right now. Sure, I know it isn't practical for everyone, but just like this topic... you can't always get exactly what you want. I don't really see a need to respond to the "you're editing the contents" of a show made by another entity, so I'll move on.

You've already misconstrued the motive for opting for hard subs to begin with, nonetheless. I won't go too far into the specifics here, but DCTP will never, ever softsub anything outside of very special instances (multi-language releases, etc). I will say it's not because we care about someone stealing the script--what would be the fear there? If we've already released it, it isn't like someone is going to then get the script, take a time machine, and go back in time to leak it ahead of time. We give our scripts prior to releasing them to our non-English partners in order to allow them to prepare their own releases on a healthy schedule, even. We encourage foreign groups that aren't able to get in touch about scripts to translate from our videos and work that way if they must, and without credit (DCTP doesn't even include credits for our own staff, on that note). So, really, it's more about the technical side than the political side. Comparing us to other groups isn't really a good idea, I guess, because we just don't operate in the same way (especially those outside of the Conanverse). I can say that virtually no group out there is softsubbing just to help out those with sight problems, though; that's literally the last thing on their minds.

I do empathize with your sight impairment and am willing to work toward helping you be able to watch the releases much the same as everyone else, but--honestly--the way to do it isn't to ask for an entire policy change on a dime. I've always tried to help people that have difficulty watching or even obtaining episodes, and I'll see if I can't come up with a solution for you too.

A larger monitor (or a TV to double as one) may be in your best interest regardless, though. It isn't good to strain your eyes so often, as I imagine our fansubs are not the only problem here.

To be honest, you're one of only one or two people I've heard needing larger subtitles on our releases, and I've been doing this for five-six years now. We've had numerous fellow fans come by that are completely deaf and yet still found a way to enjoy the show, so maybe some food for thought.

Spoiler:

Am moving this to Off-Topic, though.

[Akonyl]

I'd also like to say that regarding text size, DCTP's subs are some of the largest and most readable subs I've ever seen.

[kkslider5552000]

I'd also like to say that regarding text size, DCTP's subs are some of the largest and most readable subs I've ever seen.

I still have bad memories of how all the horrible subs have the exact same, horrible, tiny text. Even for different anime. Of course this makes it very easy to figure out which ones have terrible subs without actually knowing japanese.