S4C (Welsh language channel in Wales) is now streaming its BSL programmes via the web. A really positive move, and more please.
As a channel that focuses on minority language output, it is much better positioned to understand the needs of minority language users. The streamed content is only available in two minority languages that exist in Wales: Welsh and BSL, so excludes users of English here.
To comply with the law around digital television, S4C is required to meet output targets in respect of BSL on television. However, many BSL interpreted programmes are transmitted at inconvenient times, and thus to be able to access this at a time when it is convenient for you is a positive thing.
RSS
The page even carries RSS, thus you can add it to your reader to add new content. The RSS feed is here.
(If you still don't know what RSS is, click onto 'What is RSS' in the top right corner of the front page of this blog).
Compression = difficult to see facial expressions
My main concern is that the video has been compressed too highly thus its difficult to see the In-Vision Interpreter's facial expressions. Currently the video is too blurred to make this out properly and thus follow the BSL efficiently. S4C needs to address this, and perhaps give the user a choice of video format. Stream the content in alternative formats, other than a .wmv extension.
What do you think?
