Thanks to built-in AI Subtitling features in Limecraft Workspaces, content creators have access to professionally produced subtitles in seconds. In an alternative use case, you may want to start working using given subtitles or a subtitle template, a process referred to as "subtitle versioning".


This article explains some advanced features of the versioning process, including subtitle file format conversion, frame rate and timing offset correction, retroactive synchronisation, truecasing, and more.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are Subtitle Versioning and Conforming?

If you are in the localisation or media distribution business, you may need to create subtitles or closed captions for localisation or adaptation of the media. Chances are that you need to start from pre-existing subtitles that have been produced upstream, referred to as the Master Subtitle File.


Conforming of the subtitle file refers to the technical process if verification and (minor) adaptation to match the timing and styling rules, sometimes involving modification of the timing (offset or frame rate correction). Versioning rather refers to the process of translation or adaptation of the language.


What Are the Challenges when Importing Pre-Existing Subtitles?


While generally considered a time-saving benefit, there are numerous challenged to make sure the result is free of spelling errors, timing discrepancies, or to adapt the subtitles according to your preferred spotting rules.


To help you coping with these, Limecraft offers a number of specific functions that will help you saving time, including but not restricted to file format conversions, frame rate and timing offset corrections, truecasing, retroactive synchronisation of the subtitles with the edit, speaker change detection, etc. Any of these can be applied directly upon import, or after importing the subtitles.


 

How to Access the Advanced Subtitle Conforming Options?


You can use these Advanced Subtitle Versioning Options as part of the importing process or, as explained herein, after subtitles have been created or imported. 


Accessing the Advanced Subtitle Conforming Options after Import or Creation


Advanced Subtitle Conforming Options are accessible via the dropdown menu on the left upper corner of the subtitle editor pane when post-versioning already imported subtitles.


Limecraft screenshot illustrating that the advanced subtitle versioning options can be fond in the dropdown at the center of the page in the subtitle editor for post-versioning.


Using the Advanced Subtitle Conforming Options as part of the Import Process


While importing subtitles, the settings are available in case you 'open an existing subtitle file', by rolling out the Advanced Options.


Limecraft screenshot illustrating that the advanced subtitling options are available in the lower part of the page when importing a subtitle file.


Advanced Subtitle Conforming Options

Retroactive Synchronisation ("Apply Shot Alignment")

This option optimises the timing of the subtitles and synchronises them with the shot cuts or scene changes where necessary, i.e. as configured by the spotting rules of the workspace. The purpose of synchronising subtitles with visual transitions (or snapping them to the shot cuts), makes them more comfortable to read.


Speaker Segmentation

When you are producing subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH), it is best practice to provide a visual indication of speaker changes in the audio, by using the hyphen ("-") or by changing the colour.


In case you receive pre-existing subtitles without indication of speaker changes, you can instruct Limecraft to retrofit the speaker changes. In effect, Limecraft will analyse the audio and apply the speaker changes on the available subtitles.


Limecraft screenshot illustrating how you can instruct Limecraft to retrofit the speaker changes. In effect, Limecraft will analyse the audio and apply the speaker changes on the available subtitles.


Adjust Frame Rate

If the Frame Rate of the subtitle file is different from the video, you can convert it to conform with the video as shown below.


Limecraft screenshot showing how to convert frame rate of the subtitle file to fit the one of the video by filling out the source frame rate and to which frame rate it should be converted to.



Apply Offset

If the start timecode of the subtitles is different than that of the video, you have the option to apply offset. Fill out the amount of offset and select Add or Subtract.


Limecraft Gif showing how to apply offset by selecting either Add or Subtract and the time.


Remove Blank Subtitles

It is possible to automatically remove the empty subtitles when importing an external subtitle file with the Subtitle Editor.


NOTE: This option is only available when importing subtitles and cannot be applied anymore after the subtitles have already been imported and displayed in the subtitle editor.


Picture showing how to remove empty subtitles while importing and external subtitle file with Limecraft Subtitle Editor.



Ignore Media Timecode During Import

Sometimes the media timecode might be random and you want to ignore it. As an example, your media timecode could be 13:45:20:00, while subtitles were created with a program timecode of 00:00:00:00 or 10:00:00:00. In this case the box to ignore the media timecode should be checked.


Limecraft screenshot illustrating the use of ignoring the media timecode when the subtitles were created with 00:00:00:00 or 10:00:00:00 timecode.



First Subtitle within First Hour of Media

The last option is to select the assumption that the first subtitle appears in the first hour of media. In most cases this box can be checked. 

  • Subtitles are automatically shifted towards the beginning of the media. 
  • Automatically corrects if the subtitle editor shows another timecode than the media.