Video content has developed into a potent tool for engagement and communication in the current digital era. Whether you’re a content creator, marketer, or educator, getting your videos seen by a worldwide audience frequently is one step closer if you add subtitles. A wider audience, including those with hearing impairments, can access your material thanks to subtitles, and subtitles also improve the viewing experience for viewers who enjoy watching videos in other languages. Adding and translating subtitles automatically can save time and work, and fortunately, there are tools available to make this possible. In this article, we will be talking about how you can add and translate subtitles automatically with the help of AI, how you can edit and improve the accuracy of your subtitles, and how subtitles can benefit your videos in general.
Adding Subtitles Automatically
Adding subtitles to videos manually can be a time-consuming task, especially if it’s a longer video or there’s a lot of speech. Automating the subtitling process can significantly speed up your workflow. Here’s how to do it:
Transcription
Before you can add subtitles, you need a transcription of your video’s dialogue. There are various transcription services and software available that can convert spoken language into text and turn it into accurate and synchronized subtitles in a matter of minutes. Nova A.I. is an example of such software. You can upload your video to the platform and start editing it right away. An AI-powered subtitle generator like NOVA A.I. can easily create subtitles for video because it uses speech recognition and natural language processing to do so.
However, the process for you is much simpler and can be done in just a few steps:
- Upload your video to the platform
- Enter the subtitle generator and choose ‘Auto-subtitle’ (other options are manually subtitle or upload subtitle file)
- Choose the spoken language or let the software auto-detect the language
- Click ‘generate subtitles’
- Proofread subtitles, and edit if necessary
- Export subtitles hardcoded onto your video, or download subtitle files (SRT, VTT) or text file format (TXT)
The accuracy of the transcription function is up to 97%, where factors such as background noise, mumbling, and more can have a negative impact. However, with the AI technology constantly developing, and the AI’s ability to ‘learn’ we can expect improvements in the ability to accurately transcribe speech to text despite disturbing audio factors.
Editing Subtitles
While automated subtitle generators are efficient, as mentioned, they might not always be 100% accurate in terms of hearing words correctly. It’s recommended to review the generated subtitles and edit them if necessary to ensure they are precise. Also, remember to check that the subtitles are synchronized properly with the video’s audio. Furthermore, subtitles can be edited in different ways, such as by adjusting various elements to ensure readability and alignment with the content. The font style, size, color, position, and background can be modified to suit different visual preferences and accessibility needs. A balanced choice of these elements enhances the viewing experience and makes the subtitles more engaging without distracting from the main content.
Saving Options
Export video with hardcoded subtitles: Hardcoded subtitles are permanently embedded into the video itself, becoming an integral part of the visual content. They cannot be toggled on or off like traditional subtitles. Hardcoded subtitles are useful when distributing videos on platforms that do not support external subtitle files or when you want to ensure that subtitles are always visible regardless of the playback settings.
Download subtitle files (SRT and VTT): SRT (SubRip Subtitle) and VTT (WebVTT) files are subtitle formats used to provide text-based captions for videos. These files contain timestamped lines of text that correspond to spoken dialogue or other audio in the video. When uploaded together with a video, they enable viewers to see the synchronized subtitles, enhancing accessibility and comprehension for a wider audience. Most video editing software and online platforms allow you to upload subtitle files, and even translated versions separately for each language. This way, viewers can choose their preferred language while watching the video.
Download text files: TXT files are plain text files that contain unformatted text. When it comes to subtitles, downloading them in TXT format can be useful for easily getting a script of your video’s subtitles or your favorite movie’s subtitles. You might also want to post the subtitle script as part of the video description or reuse its text for creating additional content such as a blog post for your website.
Translating Subtitles Automatically
After successfully adding subtitles to your video, you might want to reach an even wider audience by translating those subtitles into multiple languages. Automating the translation process can save you a considerable amount of time and resources. Here’s how to do it:
- Within the subtitle generator, you’ll find the ‘Translate’ section
- Choose the language you want to translate your subtitles into
- Click ‘Auto Translate’
- Proofread if possible
- Export translated subtitles hardcoded to the video or as a subtitle or text file.
Accuracy of Automatic Translation
Machine translation isn’t what it used to be. It’s not just word-by-word translation where the context is quickly lost. It is an AI-powered translation of complete phrases, assisted by advanced language models that are continuously developing and improving. However, keep in mind that while these translation tools have improved drastically over time, they might still produce translations that are not always contextually accurate. Therefore, if you have the option to review your translated subtitles or have someone familiar with the translation language that can do it for you it’s worth it.
Benefits and Considerations of Automating Subtitling
Automating the addition and translation of subtitles offers several benefits, including:
Saving Time
Automation significantly reduces the time needed for manual transcription, subtitle generation, and translation.
Wider Reach
Subtitles in different languages make your content accessible to a global audience, potentially increasing your viewership.
Accessibility
Subtitles cater to viewers with hearing impairments or those in environments where sound cannot be played.
However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Accuracy
Automated tools might not always be 100% accurate, so it’s essential to review and edit the generated subtitles and translations for correctness and context.
Cultural Nuances
When translating subtitles, be mindful of cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions that might not directly translate.
Quality Control
While automation is efficient, human oversight ensures the final product is of high quality and aligns with your content’s tone and message.
To Sum It Up:
In conclusion, automating the process of adding and translating subtitles to your videos can be a game-changer for content creators seeking to expand their audience reach and improve accessibility. By utilizing the transcription tools of subtitle generators including their translation tools, you can streamline your workflow while maintaining control over the quality of your subtitles. Always remember to review and edit the generated content to ensure accuracy and provide a seamless viewing experience for your audience.
Follow Techdee for more!