Did you know that 85% of video watching on Facebook is in a sound-off environment? How then do viewers follow the story on these videos? Captioning is the answer. Through subtitles, a viewer can follow the story on a video. Thus, the need for a caption converter.
It then happens that subtitles or captions on videos are not always in a format you can share or use on other platforms. This occurrence in one form will limit what you can do with such subtitles and captions.
So, what do you use to convert? Are there limits to which you can alter? How do you deal with conversion challenges that threaten to derail your captioning?
Let’s get deep into caption converting by first understanding what a caption converter is and what it means for your subtitling project.
What Is A Caption Converter?
A caption converter allows you to change the SRT or SubRip file into any other format your software demands. By this conversion, a file is more versatile, expanding the potential of such a file.
What is this SRT file, and why are the files not available in the most straightforward format for use during captioning?
Well, SRT files contain information about subtitles. The files merge seamlessly with the rest of the video data to make your display seamless.
SRT files hold such crucial information as the start and end of time codes on subtitles. The files will also tell you about the sequential appearance of subtitles.
By reviewing the information, you can tell a lot about the video and subtitles used, helping you better understand your video.
Therefore, a caption converter helps you decode this information in the SRT file and use it for other projects or purposes.
Remember, the converters are online platforms where you upload the file, convert it to your desired format, and then download it for use on the target software.
Why You Need a Caption Converter for Your Videos
Captioning videos is part of the larger distribution strategy to enhance the accessibility of your videos. Since it has already been achieved, why is it necessary to convert captions in SRT files into any other format?
Here are a few reasons why a converter is useful for your captioning and subtitling job:
1. Use the Subtitles on Another Platform
Subtitles will remain in SRT format without converting if they are to be used exclusively on videos.
Now, the need to use them on other platforms necessitates conversion. They could be filed in paper documents for the official recording, transformed into digital articles for uploading alongside videos or transformed into rich content like memes and cards, among other uses.
Extracting and converting the captions is the only way to use the information away from the video.
2. To Customize the Captions
Captions are added to videos for a specific purpose. However, they should not be added haphazardly or for the sake of it. Fortunately, a customized caption makes it easier for viewers to relate to your video or the message it captures.
Customizing captions could include changing the color, size, font time, or adding graphic elements. Viewers will accept and engage more with the video when you customize captions.
3. Translate the Captions
Videos allow brands to communicate without the restrictions of language. Viewers follow the story using the images and the actors involved. Subtitles or captions enhance this experience.
Naturally, most video producers will provide the subtitles in the language of the video. Translating the captions helps you to reach a market beyond one language. As such, you will not need to remake the video in another language.
Translating captions becomes a cheaper and effective way of expanding your market reach. You can only translate the captions or subtitles after extracting them from the SRT file.
4. As A Form of Automatic Transcription
Transcription aims to obtain the script for a video for use on other platforms. One way to transcribe a video is using automatic transcription features on YouTube or audio typing apps.
The automated transcription apps do not provide accurate transcripts. As a result, you need the caption text to edit and realign with your video’s audio. Luckily, a caption converter helps you to extract these captions.
You use the extracted text for physical filing, uploading alongside the video, or enabling other platforms. Using a converter saves you from the manual transcription that is time-consuming and expensive. Even when you have to edit the extracted text, it takes a shorter time and will cost less.
5. To Edit for Accuracy
Transcription and captioning accuracy is not guaranteed when using auto-features on apps or YouTube. The alternative is to download the entire text, edit it, and then upload it. Even the best audio recognition software has an accuracy level of 80%. Such a low accuracy percentage would be misleading to viewers. The alternative is to extract the captions, edit them and then upload them alongside the videos.
You extract the subtitles in SRT format, convert, and edit them before uploading them back. Such accuracy helps you to convey the intended message and especially avoid misleading viewers. It also polishes your subtitles so that even the inaudible words are captured in the captions.
6. Rebrand or Rejuvenate a Video
Content reuse is one of the most effective digital marketing strategies. A video that was uploaded a year ago is refreshed and uploaded to appear like a new one. It is cheaper beyond helping you to take advantage of new digital marketing features.
One of the ways to rejuvenate the video is to use captions or subtitles. If the video did not have captions, you download the SRT file and enhance the captions.
You can enhance using a second language, new graphics, and improved accuracy, among other options. Without spending more money creating new videos, you can use the caption converter to renew your video.
Choosing the Best Caption Converter
Increased demand for video captioning has resulted in the development of more caption converters. As is the case with a competitive retail environment, every developer claims to offer the best converter. Unfortunately, many clients find themselves stranded or with half-converted files.
Satisfaction in converting captions depends on the app you choose. It would be best to consider user experience, where an app makes it convenient to convert files.
Here are the features that will guarantee the best converter to avoid regrets and a terrible captioning experience:
i) Detecting the File Type Automatically
Sophisticated converters can detect the file type automatically and offer conversion options. It reduces the time taken to convert a file. The same automatic features help the converter handle a wider range of file formats, including SRT, iTT, and WebVTT.
ii) Exporting Files in Multiple Formats
Top converters can export files of multiple formats and frame rates from a single file. It helps you get the kind of file you need for your project instead of being squeezed into a single format type. The exportation should not interfere with the quality of the captions or subtitles.
By maintaining the quality, you can transfer files from one platform like Facebook to another like YouTube.
iii) View Multiple Languages Simultaneously
Choose a converter that allows you to select a caption in one language and simultaneously view the same timestamp in another language. Such a feature will help you to synchronize captions in multiple languages. From such capability, you can produce numerous videos with captions from the same platform. It makes your work more straightforward and more effective.
iv) Detection of Incorrect or Overlapping Caption Frames and Time Stamps
It is chaotic to watch a video with overlapping or inaccurate captions. It is worse when you translate a video using subtitles to assign the captions to the wrong sections. In other cases, you can give timestamps to the subtitles, where the video is silent. Such errors lower the quality of your videos and will affect engagement.
The best converter detects such errors and highlights them for correction. You end up with an excellent video with accurate captions. Such are the small features that enhance your video’s quality and, in the process, boost engagement.
v) Filtering Captions by Time Codes and Keywords
In working on your video, you will want to search for particular sections using keywords. Top caption converters have a ‘search’ option to allow you to type a word or a time code for quick access. Hence, it makes editing as well as working on the captions easier.
vi) Splitting and Joining Captions Easily
Splitting and joining captions is a crucial part of editing. It should not be cumbersome so that it does not take much time to edit or rework your videos. It takes one-two clicks to join and split the captions.
vii) Change, Import, and Export Markups
Markups can be changed, imported, or exported with ease. It means that the converter supports by iTunes Time Text(iTT), WebVTT(VTT), and SubRip(SRT). It makes it easier to handle multiple format files as well as work across platforms.
The Cost of Top Caption Converters
A converter comes at a price. As a client or a video handler, you have the responsibility of choosing the best converter that will guarantee the best experience. That choice you make will determine how much you pay.
Notice that the market has a variety of free converters. Still, you have to pay the price even though the cost is not monetary.
Here are a few factors that will affect the price:
- Features on the Converter- the features enlisted above are not always available in a converter. Each converter has a fraction of these features. Expect to pay more for a converter with advanced features to compensate for the convenience it offers during captioning.
- Potential of the Caption Converter- what can your converter do? How many file formats can the converter handle? Developers charge more for converters that can deliver more. If you are looking to do more with your converter, you must be ready to pay a higher fee.
- Hosting Platform- who is allowing you access to the converter? Some caption converters are free to members of a freelancing platform handling videos. Other platforms require you to pay a subscription fee to get the work done.
The cost of a converter will depend on conditions for accessing the platform. Transcribers converting captions can pay the subscription fee frequently. If you use the converter sparingly, you can look for other economically reasonable options.
It’s a Wrap
The best caption converter is one that serves your project needs. It should be easy to use and perform as many functions as possible among what you need for your project.
Above all, remember that all these features come at a price.
Here are the best video captioning experts in the market. At Bunny Studio, we have a team of multitalented video gurus who can handle any captioning project.
Get your task completed in a jiffy!
