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UC3M Researchers makes the Game of Thrones accessible in Brazil

5/20/19

An accessibility system in mobile devices developed by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) researchers is being used by HBO to make the episodes from all the seasons of Games of Thrones accessible in Brazil.  It will soon do so with new series as well.

Investigadores de la UC3M hacen accesible Juego de Tronos en Brasil
 

Since last April, HBO Brazil subscribers have been able to use the audio description and adapted subtitling for all of the “Game of Thrones” seasons, thanks to the app HBO IN.  This application integrates technology developed by UC3M researchers and licensed to Whatscine, through its North American affiliate, which has been in charge of it reaching the market. In addition, it will also provide accessibility to other series such as “Big Little Lies” and “The Bronze Garden”.

HBO IN does not involve any additional cost for the subscribers to this television platform and is available for mobile devices with Android and iOS systems. Yo use it, you choose the episode of series in the app, select the accessibility you want (audio description or adapted subtitles) and then press synchronize. “The system we have developed allows excellent synchronization with the audio from the episode in question, even if there is background noise, as may occur in a home,” explained Professor Ángel García Crespo, director of the UC3M "Pedro Juan de Lastanosa" Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico y Promoción de la Innovación (Institute for Technological Development and Promotion of Innovation) and the SoftLab research group.

This same technology is also used in Spanish movie theaters, under the name Whatscine, to make movies accessible for persons with hearing or sight disabilities, without the need to go at special times or on specific days.  For this purpose, it enables reception of an accessibility system that is selected directly in the smartphone, or in its absence, specially-designed transparent glasses.

This tool allows that persons with sensory disabilities to be fully integrated into the cinema and television environments, without interfering with the audio or video for the other spectators. "Our goal is to foment inclusive leisure,” observed Professor García Crespo, “so that movies, from the moment they are released, have accessibility integrated into them.”