By Ravi McArthur, Technical Product Manager at Telestream
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape how we optimize media workflows, providing tools that simplify and enhance the quality control (QC) process. Telestream Qualify embodies this technological evolution, integrating cutting-edge AI to address the intricacies of modern media production and distribution. Case in point, Qualify’s new language detection leverages AI and machine learning to automatically identify the language spoken in media content, all without requiring human intervention.
It’s a practical use of AI that is a big deal for many customers, and here’s why.
Correctly identifying the spoken language in an audio track has always been a major challenge when dealing with multi-track audio layouts containing numerous languages. Previous automated solutions for language identification suffered from limited accuracy and a limited set of language support. Often, users have to rely on manual QC, which is labor-intensive and error-prone (e.g. “Is this audio track Finnish? Does anyone here speak Finnish?“).
With the growing demand for global content and localization, Qualify’s language detection is an essential tool for managing diverse, multilingual material. Accurate language metadata ensures seamless content localization and distribution, avoiding costly errors that impact both finances and reputation.
Speak Easy: Mitigating Language Detection Errors with AI
Telestream Qualify uses advanced AI to identify primary languages with precision, whether it’s English, Spanish, Mandarin, or dozens of other languages. It excels where traditional systems fall short, accurately handling accents, regional dialects, and even noisy audio. Unlike manual or rule-based solutions, it integrates effortlessly with workflows such as captioning, translation, and localization, streamlining global media operations.
The Qualify team specifically chose a state-of-the-art Machine Learning model. For our rigorous requirements, we utilized the “bleeding-edge” nightly build of PyTorch. The PyTorch team even released a patch following our feedback. Such technology not only ensures optimal performance but also positions Telestream Qualify as a solution capable of addressing the most nuanced QC requirements.
For global streaming platforms and large, international media companies, managing master files with dozens of audio tracks is standard practice. Yet, small errors in language tagging can lead to significant issues. A common mistake that occurs during manual operations is the mislabeling of language codes in audio essence metadata. For example, the code for Spanish is often inserted as SP instead of the correct ES, based on ISO 639 standards. Errors like this can lead to scenarios similar to a well-publicized event in 2021, when users who purchased The Suicide Squad in English were unexpectedly served a French audio track. The only available English option included audio descriptions, which many viewers found distracting.
Qualify eliminates these risks by automating precise language identification, ensuring consistency across the distribution pipeline. Notable benefits include:
- Speed: Rapidly analyzes large-scale media libraries, drastically reducing the time and effort required compared to manual methods.
- Accuracy: Delivers reliable results even for complex real-world speech patterns and mixed-language audio.
- Scalability: Effectively supports the demands of global platforms managing extensive multilingual content.
- Automation: Lowers operational costs by reducing reliance on manual intervention and human verification.
Subtitles Start Here: Why Language Detection Is the First Step in Smarter Streaming
Qualify’s language detection technology accurately categorizes content and supports accessibility, meeting the standards set by regulatory bodies and over-the-top (OTT) platforms. It automates the identification of primary languages and assigns precise language metadata. This ensures subtitles, dubbing, and audio descriptions are seamlessly aligned with the spoken language, minimizing mismatches that could confuse users or breach accessibility standards.
Once a language is detected, automated workflows are activated to enhance content accessibility. For example, generating subtitles and captions with speech-to-text tools in Vantage, notifying localization teams for translations into required languages, and developing audio descriptions. Accurate language tagging also supports visually impaired individuals, as screen readers can correctly interpret and pronounce content in various languages. These streamlined operations enable businesses to efficiently serve diverse, multilingual audiences.
By integrating AI-powered detection into localization pipelines, companies reduce human error often found in manual tagging, particularly for enterprises managing extensive content libraries. This ensures consistent accuracy while meeting stringent compliance standards.
Language detection software is pivotal in achieving inclusivity and compliance. It underscores a commitment to accessibility across languages and disabilities, combining technical precision with a forward-thinking approach that fosters a more inclusive digital landscape.
Privacy and Data Compliance
Data privacy and security are paramount in today’s AI-powered solutions. Unlike many platforms that collect, store, and monetize user data, Telestream prioritizes security and data sovereignty.
We uphold the highest standards of data privacy. Telestream does not collect, monetize, or utilize customer data to train our models. While many AI-focused companies rely on aggregating and monetizing customer data as part of their business model, our approach is fundamentally different. Our commitment is clear—we never collect customer data, we do not use it for model training, and do not expose it publicly, either directly or indirectly.
For cloud-based deployments, data resides within a private, encrypted Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and operates securely using private storage solutions. This approach not only complies with stringent data protection regulations and corporate information security protocols but also builds trust with customers who value privacy in their workflows.
A Future-Forward Vision for Media QC
Telestream Qualify sets a new standard in media quality control with advanced, future-focused features. Harnessing AI-driven technology, Qualify is evolving to handle complex challenges like multi-language detection within audio tracks and real-time language switches, enhancing its value for global media workflows. Currently optimized for post-production delivery and VOD workflows, Qualify’s AI advancements lay the groundwork for extending into real-time applications, preparing businesses for the future of live media.
Regulatory compliance is another key focus, with Qualify playing a pivotal role in meeting standards such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Future updates will introduce features like synchronization checks for captions and subtitles, fortifying its ability to ensure accessibility and compliance across markets.
Looking ahead, enhancements like percentage-based language analysis and more robust real-time processing signal Telestream’s commitment to staying ahead of industry needs. By seamlessly integrating into existing workflows, Qualify empowers broadcasters, post-production teams, and streaming platforms to meet today’s demands while preparing for tomorrow.
Explore how Telestream Qualify transforms media quality control. Contact us to schedule a demo and take the next step toward operational excellence.