# Video Subtitling **Video subtitling** is the process of adding text so that a video displays the spoken dialogue or narration synchronized with the corresponding audio. Subtitles can also include translations of the spoken content into another language or additional explanatory text to enhance understanding. Subtitling differs from transcription in that it involves: 1. **Timing:** Subtitles must be carefully timed to appear and disappear in sync with the audio. 2. **Formatting:** Subtitles are typically concise to ensure readability, often simplifying or summarizing dialogue when needed. 3. **Localization:** Subtitling can adapt language, cultural references, and idiomatic expressions to suit the audience. Subtitles serve multiple purposes, including improving accessibility for the hearing impaired, enabling understanding for viewers who speak a different language, or allowing viewers to watch videos in sound-restricted environments. ## Video subtitling steps 1. Video subtitles are created from the transcription of the spoken word 2. Length: ensure that the text conforms to the length of the audio. 3. CPS: ensure that the text scrolls at a readable rate according to specifications, typically 24 cps. 4. Spellcheck and grammar check. Text will apply normal grammatical rules where possible, including capitals and full stops. With certain exceptions. The spoken word does not necessarily follow rigorous grammatical rules. 5. Review to ensure the text conforms to the required parameters that it flows. ![[video-subtitling-text-grid-from-subtitle-edit.webp|Video subtitling grid from subtitle edit]] We use [Subtitle Edit](https://nikse.dk/SubtitleEdit/), which has better functionality than Aegisub, more shortcuts and a more intuitive interface. ![[video-subtitling-subtitle-edit.webp|Video subtitling timeline from subtitle edit]] ## Video subtitling projects We have worked for producers of documentaries for Netflix and French Television who more and more wish, or are required, to produce their material with subtitles. This is advantageous for viewers in France, but subtitles also allow French companies to export their material to English-speaking countries. Subtitles are now also attached to video, increasingly for use by visually impaired or hard-of-hearing users. Subtitles are used to ensure compliance with EU legislation to provide access to hard of hearing and deaf people. We deliver subtitles in SRT format, or encrusted into the video, are subject to estimate. This is a video subtitled by us which discusses the following themes: - [[Management Methods]] - [[Plan Do Check Assess PDCA]] - [[Getting Things Done GTD]] - [[Eisenhower Decision Matrix]] - Software tools: Todoist, Ayoa and Sortd for gmail  ## Source and output formats We accept source for video subtitling in French or English. We may transcribe in one or two steps. If in two steps, we can supply the intermediate source language transcript and its translation. We can supply either the fully edited video with embedded subtitles, or just the SRT file. - Video or audio source - Time coded transcription delivered in SRT format, - Non-time coded transcription in a Word file We accept video or audio in any format on hard disk, key, optical, by transfer or FTP. # Audio and Video Transcription ## Audio Transcription **Audio transcription** is the process of converting spoken words or other audio content into a written or text format. This can involve transcribing speeches, interviews, lectures, podcasts, or other audio recordings. Audio transcription is commonly used for documentation, accessibility, content creation, and analysis. **Video transcription** involves creating a text version of the spoken dialogue and relevant sounds in a video. It may also include descriptions of visual elements to provide a complete understanding of the content. Video transcription is often used for closed captions, subtitles, content indexing, accessibility for the hearing impaired, and making video content searchable and easier to reference. Both types of transcription require accuracy in capturing the original content while considering nuances like tone, context, and speaker identity. ## Transcription direct to target language One-step transcription is the process of listening to the source audio and writing down the translation without writing the original source text. The output is a transcription in the target language. ![[one-step-transcription-process.png]] ## Transcription to text and then translation Two-step transcription is to transcribe the audio or video into the source language text, then translate that text. Step 1: Transcription of French video to French text Step 2: Then, in a second step, translation to English. ![[two-step-transcription-process.png]] ## Software used for transcription [Happy Scribe](https://www.happyscribe.com/) can transcribe video and audio documents. Once the transcription text has been corrected, we export it as text or as subtitles. ![[happy-scribe-logo.png]] ## Time coding A transcription can be supplied just as simple output text or time coded. ![[subtitling-process.png]] Time coding allows you to refer back to the exact point within the source media ## Transcription projects We transcribed a non-native presenter giving a conference in English. The francophone public wanted a subtitled video of the presentation to ensure that the message was clearly understood internally. We have also corrected Chinese to English transcriptions, even without knowledge of the source language. The objective here is to correct the output text to ensure that it reads smoothly. ## Output format If just one step, then we provide the French transcription (time coded or not). If we do both steps, then we provide both the French transcription (time coded or not) and the English transcription (time coded or not).