Captioning/Subtitling 101

Subtitling

Subtitles are similar to pop-on captions, as they pop on and off the screen. They are prepared using 1 – 3 lines of text per subtitle.  Most commonly, subtitles are centered at the bottom of the video throughout the program.  However, some clients want subtitles positioned as pop-on captions, as to indicate who is speaking --your choice.

Subtitles are used for various media.  For example, you can subtitle a video master, digital video, DVD/Blu-Ray disc, web videos and even import a subtitle file into your non-linear editing system.  Most subtitles are in foreign languages over the English narration.  However, some clients want English subtitles on their media products with English narration to make their media accessible.  We can export various file types to accommodate your project.

The most critical aspect of working with subtitles is the foreign language translation process.  All languages are different and can have more or less verbiage to relay the same meaning.  Caption and Subtitle Services assures your project will be timed correctly with the professionally translated script in the appropriate dialect for your attended market/audience.  And, yes, we can offer Asian fonts for your projects to help you reach even more people worldwide!

When working with our professional translators, we export a document for them with the English narration that was timed to the media program, which is used as a ‘template’ for the translator.  This assures accuracy of the timing of the translation to the original English narration, thus keeping the sync of the translated script with the video.  And, if you request it, we can export a digital file with subtitles for your review PRIOR to the final export for your subtitle project.  (We would need a digital video from you.)

Subtitles for DVD/Blu-Ray Authoring systems

After downloading your video, we produce a subtitle file.  Depending on what DVD /Blu-Ray authoring system you are using, we will export a file to accommodate that system.  For example, we can export for various systems that include DVD Studio Pro, Daiken Scenarist, Adobe Encore, Blu-Ray XML/PNG, DVDit Pro HD and more.  Let us know what you need and we’ll export accordingly.

Subtitles for DV video

If needed, we can also subtitle DV video (720 x 480 video with DV codec is required).  Caption and Subtitle Services would export subtitles using your DV video to produce a final video with subtitles.  We work with clients that request this subtitled DV video be recorded to a DVD and/or video master. 

Subtitles for web videos

We can caption various web videos, such as, QuickTime, WMV, RealPlayer, Flash, Google Videos, and more.  Please call us to discuss the details, as there may be specific file specs that we need to receive in order to accommodate your project.  Let us know what you need and we will export the file accordingly.

Subtitles for NLE Systems

We will use your reference video you uploaded to our FTP site and we’ll produce the subtitle file using our skilled personnel and we’ll export a black video file to accommodate your NLE system.

Subtitles for video formats

You would send us your final edited video master with continuous time code.  We would encode subtitles onto your video master of choice and return to you the original and subtitled video.  Please call to discuss language, as there may be some languages that are not available for this service to videotape.  However, the workflow for subtitled DV video may accommodate languages not available through the subtitle encoder.