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subtitle and closed caption formats

Over 25 caption formats to suit your video requirements
Subtitle writing formats explained in more depth 

There are an enormous range of subtitle formats currently available for both online media and broadcast videos. For clients, choosing suitable subtitle writing formats for a video project can be overwhelming. With so many options available and so much online jargon around subtitles, making the decision can quickly progress from what feels like jumping a small hurdle, to climbing Mount Everest without a map. 

At Capital Captions, we like to be transparent about our services and provide as much help and subtitle advice to our clients as possible. Different projects require different formats, styles and outputs, and choosing the wrong one can cost both time and money. We’re here to help you get it right first time, so here is an overview of the most widely used subtitle formats and what they mean.

writing formats
FORMAT
SRT (SUBRIP)

 

 

WEBVTT (Web Video Text Tracks)

 

 

STL (Spruce Subtitle File)

 

 

EBU STL (European Broadcasting Union Subtitles)

 

 

SAMI (Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange)

SCC (Scenarist Closed Captions)

 

 

XML (Timed Text)

 

USAGE
Highly basic and easy to work with. Highly compatible with most subtitle creation packages and media players. Basic formatting with no styling options. Great for online videos and social media use.
Almost identical visual format to SRT subtitles, though styling is available in terms of rendering, text formatting and position. Needs UTF-8 encoding and is highly compatible with HTML5 websites.
This type of STL file is relatively basic to use but allows editing of subtitle settings and styles on a subtitle by subtitle basis rather than having to have one overall style.

Editable and highly formattable with the use of professional subtitling and closed captioning software. For use by terrestrial channels, broadcasters satellite TV service providers, television services, video on demand and professional subtitle creation.
The format of SAMI subtitle files is similar to CSS or HTML. SAMI files can be styled and positioned. Used with media players such as Windows Media Player and YouTube.
SCC subtitles or closed captions are encoded into Line 21. They are highly customisable and are widely used for broadcast, web video, DVDs and BluRay.
This is a timed text format which can include positioning instruction, formatting and styles. It is very diverse as a format and can be used by broadcasters and online media.
EXAMPLE
00:01:58,311 –> 00:01:59,703
Capital Captions provide subtitle services.
200:01:59,738 –> 00:02:01,319
It’s important for us and our clients that we ensure the best possible subtitle format
00:01:58,311 –> 00:01:59,703
Capital Captions provide subtitle services.

00:01:59,738 –> 00:02:01,319

00:01:58:05 , 00:01:59:18 ,
Capital Captions provide subtitle services.00:01:59:18 , 00:02:01:06 ,
It’s important for us and our clients that we ensure the best possible formats
Binary, in data exchange format.

Not text based.

 

.SUBTTL {Name: ‘Subtitles’; Lang: en-US; SAMIType: CC;}
</HEAD> <BODY><SYNC START=118311>
<P CLASS=SUBTTL>Capital Captions provide subtitle services.
<p begin=”00:01:58.050″ end=”00:01:59.180 “>Capital Captions provide <br/>subtitle services.<p begin=”00:01:59.180 ” end=”00:02:01.060 “>
<p begin=”00:01:58.050″ end=”00:01:59.180 “> Capital Captions provide <br/>subtitle services.<p begin=”00:01:59.180 ” end=”00:02:01.060 “>

Those are some of the commonly used subtitle writing formats but there are countless others currently used both in online, broadcast, video on demand, cinema, television and more. The process of formatting subtitles is highly complex. It takes skill, experience, training and a high degree of patience to produce well written, accurately timed subtitles and all of Capital Captions’ subtitle writers and formatters are thoroughly vetted before commencing any work with us. 

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