Update synchronized-media.html #4371
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| interactive components, unless the media is a <a>media alternative for text</a> that is clearly labeled as such | |||
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| <p class="note">"Synchronized" refers to all audio and video content intended to be played according to the same time base (i.e., in the same video file or multimedia experience). Images and sounds that are out of synch with each other (intentionally or unintentionally) are included by the definition. Asynchronous sound, for example, is still being experienced in the context of time-based, synchronized media.</p> | |||
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"according to the same time base" sounds overly convoluted/impenetrable. perhaps something simpler, like "at the same time", "in parallel", or similar?
I think we've been trying to avoid "e.g.", "i.e.", and so on for simpler language. maybe replace here with "that is" or "for instance"?
maybe expand a bit what's mean by "Asynchronous sound", again using simpler language? Maybe a bit wordy, but something like "For instance, even if a video only includes 'incidental' music that does not explicitly synchronise with any of the visuals, ..."
TF agreed to rewording. Noted it's not perfect, especially because it does not capture synch beyond video/audio
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| interactive components, unless the media is a <a>media alternative for text</a> that is clearly labeled as such | |||
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| <p class="note">"Synchronized" refers to all audio and video content presented in the same multimedia experience (whether combined in a single file or played in the same time base). Images and sounds that are out of synch with each other (intentionally or unintentionally) are included by the definition. Asynchronous sound, for example, is still being experienced in the context of time-based, synchronized media.</p> | |||
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| <p class="note">"Synchronized" refers to all audio and video content presented in the same multimedia experience (whether combined in a single file or played in the same time base). Images and sounds that are out of synch with each other (intentionally or unintentionally) are included by the definition. Asynchronous sound, for example, is still being experienced in the context of time-based, synchronized media.</p> | |
| <p class="note">"Synchronized" refers to all audio and video content presented in the same multimedia experience (whether combined in a single file or played at the same time). Images and sounds that are out of synch with each other (intentionally or unintentionally) are included by the definition. Asynchronous sound, for example, is still being experienced in the context of time-based, synchronized media.</p> |
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I think the aspect of "in a single file" is orthogonal.
I initially thought perhaps ""whether they just happen to play at the same time, or are formally synchronised to happen in conjunction at specific times"" for the parenthetical.
Would love to see if there's a better way to explain the "synchronize" is intended as "simultaneous", but that this also hinges of whether or not there's actual important content/information being conveyed.
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"this also hinges of whether or not there's actual important content/information being conveyed" How is importance relevant? Importance matters in what gets audio described, but seem irrelevant to a discussion on audio-video synchronization.
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as in whether the synchronisation itself conveys meaning/content/information. muzak set over a slideshow does not, while audio cues specifically hitting specific images do
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| interactive components, unless the media is a <a>media alternative for text</a> that is clearly labeled as such | |||
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| <p class="note">"Synchronized" refers to all audio and video content presented in the same multimedia experience (whether combined in a single file or played in the same time base). Images and sounds that are out of synch with each other (intentionally or unintentionally) are included by the definition. Asynchronous sound, for example, is still being experienced in the context of time-based, synchronized media.</p> | |||
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| <p class="note">"Synchronized" refers to all audio and video content presented in the same multimedia experience (whether combined in a single file or played in the same time base). Images and sounds that are out of synch with each other (intentionally or unintentionally) are included by the definition. Asynchronous sound, for example, is still being experienced in the context of time-based, synchronized media.</p> | |
| <p class="note">"Synchronized" refers to audio and video content presented in the same multimedia experience, whether combined in a single file or played at the same time. Both the visual and audio need to be "presenting information", for example, seeing and hearing people speaking. A presentation with a background track would be considered synchronized if both the visual information and the background audio are conveying information.</p> |
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My suggestion on call:
We also discussed adding examples. |
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RE the alternative of adding an example, @dbjorge suggested the following on the May 16 call: Example: A website presents a slideshow with some background music. If the background music is presenting information, then it is synchronized media. If the background music is synchronized with the slideshow using a time-based interactive component - for example, a pause/play button that affects both the slideshow and the music - then it is also synchronized media. Otherwise, it is not synchronized media. |
I don't understand what that first sentence means. The value of the background music is irrelevant. The fact there is an audio track that is timed with the video is what makes it possible to add audio descriptions. That is the only consideration we have in regard to our definition of "synchronized" in the context of audio-video. @alastc I similarly don't understand the additions you have incorporated into your suggestion 'Both the visual and audio need to be "presenting information".' Do you mean that audio isn't just dead air? I recommend making the first sentence: "If background music is part of the video, it is synchronized media." That addresses a direct question we had.
I also find we are getting into the weeds discussing time-based interactive components. If someone wants to create a separate example for an experience that accepts timed user actions, go ahead. But the specific issue here is confusion of what "synchronized" means in regard to audio-video. All we seem to be doing here is more comprehensively confusing things. I had a discussion this weekend with someone who does weekly AV broadcasts. They confirmed my prior opinion that anyone involved in this field will immediately grasp a concept of a "time base" in regard to synchronized media. A lot of their work is spent time-correcting cameras, monitor playback, etc. I quickly found an existing definition that shows this term is in use:
Given the confusion with our current definition is arising from a technical point, I think we have to incorporate some consideration of a time base or timing reference into our update, without needing to burrow into technical concepts. |
I feel like we're looking at different definitions. The "presenting information" terminology I used here is a verbatim quote from the normative WCAG 2.2 definition of "synchronized media":
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Adds a note to the synchronized media definition clarifying that the definition applies to any form of content that is intended to be part of an experience that combines more than one time-based medium.
Addresses comments such as #1790 (comment) in PR #1790