Shahid Online – Subtitle Glasses are at the forefront of a groundbreaking initiative in Herne Bay, Kent, as a local cinema makes waves in the film industry by introducing cutting-edge technology to enhance accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing moviegoers. The Kavanagh Cinema in Herne Bay has become the first in the South East to offer Subtitle Glasses, a revolutionary device designed to provide a seamless and inclusive cinematic experience.
Subtitle Glasses, developed by Watchword, are a groundbreaking innovation that uses mini projectors embedded in each arm of the glasses to beam subtitles directly into the lenses. This allows users to enjoy films without the need for traditional whole-screen subtitles, which can often be distracting for other audience members. The Kavanagh Cinema has been trialing the technology since before Christmas and has already seen positive feedback from customers.
Robert Johnson, the owner of The Kavanagh, explained, “Most modern films now incorporate subtitles this way. We used to show films with whole-screen subtitles once a month, but it wasn’t very popular, and we were losing money. Now, people can see a film with friends whenever they like.”
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The Subtitle Glasses are connected to a Watchword controller box located in the projector room. This box reads the film’s soundtrack and broadcasts the subtitles directly to the glasses. Each pair costs over £1,000, but the investment has proven worthwhile in making the cinema more accessible.
Mr. Johnson noted, “The glasses are unobtrusive, but so far, we haven’t had anyone accidentally forget they are wearing them and walk out after a performance. It’s made the cinema more accessible to those who previously could not enjoy a night at the movies.”
One of the regular users of the Subtitle Glasses is Janet Blake, a Herne Bay resident who praised the technology for its effectiveness. “I’m used to watching subtitles for television programmes, so I can catch everything people are saying,” she said. “They make a big difference, and the last film I used them for was Conclave it’s well worth seeing!”
Looking ahead, Mr. Johnson hopes to expand the availability of Subtitle Glasses based on demand. “If the major chains start buying these units, it will hopefully bring the purchase price down for all cinemas,” he said.
The Kavanagh Cinema is leading the way in making film screenings more inclusive, and the Subtitle Glasses are now available for booking in advance for most film releases. This innovation not only enhances the movie-going experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences but also sets a new standard for accessibility in the entertainment industry.
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