While the iPod historically may have been the most popular audio player, Apple’s introduction of video capabilities - culminating in the iPod Touch with its super-accommodating widescreen display - has given the PMP a new role as entertainment device for those users hard of hearing or deaf.  Adding closed-caption subtitles to video content, however, can be a time-consuming task, and as such few pre-prepared clips are available.  MacCaption, by the Computer Prompting and Captioning Company, aims to change all that; it can add on-screen text to new and existing videos without needing to go through the lengthy re-compression processing traditionally adding subtitles would demand.

Niche, maybe, but MacCaption could open up a new market for pre-subtitled content and really open the door for the iPod Touch as a media and even teaching aid.

“MacCaption generates a tiny closed caption reference file that can be delivered to online audiences without them having to download the entire video again. The end user can simply download a small reference file and apply the captions to the video already present. Additionally, this new digital closed captioning workflow could allow online video delivery services to quickly and easily upgrade their video libraries for the hearing impaired” MacCaption

Of course, niche products get niche prices, and MacCaption is no exception; multiple software versions are available, ranging from $1,995 to $8,995 for a high-definition compatible option.