Subtitles - Do you need them?

Quiet pieces with background music to make it more dramatic is a challenge so usually subtitles on

BBC sound quality is appalling - and evidently they are aware, but make no effort to improve the standard. Actors mumbling doesn't help -have you noticed that you can hear newsreaders, and the dialogue of old black and white films perfectly? Also the speakers in slimline TVs are not of the standard of the old box shaped sets - there isn't as much room. All of this combined has driven me to subtitles for the last few years. On a lighter note, it has been suggested that subtitles can help children to read, and it is worth putting them on.

Nandalot

My DD and my shameful vice is watching The Block Australia. The subtitle ‘machine ‘ cannot cope with the Australian accent. Indeed, some of them are so funny and sometimes quite mischievous that we wonder if a human hand is having some fun.

I watched a couple of series of 'the Block' a while ago and enjoyed them. I can't remember what channel they were on. Was it Netflix and are there more recent ones available?

I have subtitles on all the time and find the mistakes amusing. I think some of them don't involve humans any more, all AI/computer generated.

My DD and my shameful vice is watching The Block Australia. The subtitle ‘machine ‘ cannot cope with the Australian accent. Indeed, some of them are so funny and sometimes quite mischievous that we wonder if a human hand is having some fun.

Another one who uses subtitles (except for live broadcasts, when they lag a bit). I am pretty deaf, and got my hearing aids a year ago, but actors often speak too quickly or softly so the subtitles are a boon. I enjoy old films from te 50s/60s/70s, and the speech is often much clearer, and not drowned out by background music.

We’re watching Department Q too merlotgran but don’t use subtitles for any TV programmes including this.

merlotgran

Thanks, Granmarie.

I started using subtitles when Shetland was on but now I seem to need them for most dramas set in Scotland as most of the really good crime ones are.

You're very welcome!
We're quite proud of our tartan noir and its TV adaptations. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Although I think that Department Q is based on Scandi crime novels, filmed in Scotland.

Thanks, Granmarie.

I started using subtitles when Shetland was on but now I seem to need them for most dramas set in Scotland as most of the really good crime ones are.

I always have subtitles on now. I find though that I often want to correct the spelling as it's the American way even for British programmes.

Channel 4 catch-up doesn't have subtitles. At least on the programmes i want says "sorry unavoidable". I read subtitles all the time as struggle with accents. I miss old bbc when presenters etc had to speak in perceived English.

I use subtitles - either because the background music drowns out the actors or because I watch whilst at the gym. Headphones are ok, but sometimes I forget them or they need charging! So silent watching and reading the subtitles it is!

Thank you, Nandalot. I can’t believe I didn’t work that out for myself. DUH!!😳
I’m enjoying Dept Q. Really gripping.

Hello 👋, Merlotgran, although I have hearing aids, I rely on subtitles to follow a drama. I'm watching The Last Kingdom on Netflix just now and it would be hopeless without subtitles.
I can't do links, sorry, but I've screenshot AI instructions on how to access subtitles on Netflix. Once you've done it , they will appear on all your programmes.

Sorry, here is link!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zn-GJ1MLLc

We use subtitles whenever they are available. Most programmes on Netflix do have a subtitle option and I am sure we used them for Dept Q. merlotgran, I have attached a link on how to access them as I don’t think I could explain it clearly.

Agreed Bluebell, subtitles for notes etc would greatly improve my enjoyment of many programmes.

I have a benign brain tumour, which has caused deafness from acute to profound in a few weeks. It has improved, but I have to wear aids, and I would not switch on the TV if I did not have subtitles

The mumblers and fast talkers with a regional accent drive me crazy.

I also agree that I can't see what is written on a phone.

My hearing is fine, passed all tests but I cannot watch tv without subtitles, I used to use it for dramas but I like it for everything now. My one moan is the do not give sub titles about what is on a letter or card or telephone screen which can be paramount to the story and I always miss what is written

We use subtitles a lot of the time for all the "mumbling" and "regional accent " reasons that you quote.
That's just the English language programmes !!
My hearing is reasonably good and I can't hear a lot of it.
My OH , with hearing aids in both ears and serious deafness in one, benefits all the time from the subtitles.
I'm glad I have these excuses to have the subtitles on most of the time as it really helps him but sometimes he's too proud to admit that he needs the extra help.