Export SRT captions- how does it work?

RogerS wrote on 8/15/2021, 9:37 AM

I wanted to know how the script to export to a SRT file works. I went to scripting and selected the YouTube one as I'd like an SRT file.

However, so far it hasn't actually created anything.

I'm not sure what it looking for input, however. Does it want actual closed captions, regions with text, or is there a way to get it to work with subtitles? Selecting nothing, the timeline or individual subtitles doesn't seem to do anything. The help is vague but has exporting under the closed captioning section.

I used the insert subtitles from file feature to get text into Vegas as captions, gotten the timing and lengths right and was thinking it would be handy to re-export an SRT file with the proper timecode and then be able to edit it in a second language. If there's any way to do this I'd be grateful!

Comments

Former user wrote on 8/15/2021, 10:05 AM

It has to be on the timeline as a Closed Caption file. (either using the C command or import CC file). Then under scripting select Export Closed Captioning for Youtube.

joelsonforte.br wrote on 8/15/2021, 10:29 AM

With Vegasaur Markers and Text Generation Wizard you can export regions and text events of the timeline as SRT files easily. You can also easily import SRT files into Timeline. It is the best tool for working with subtitles currently in Vegas Pro. https://vegasaur.com/Vegasaur

If you don't have Vegasaur, you can use the Export Regions as Subtitles script to create a file in .SUB format. Then just use Subtitle Edit (free) to edit and convert the .SUB file to .SRT format. https://github.com/SubtitleEdit/subtitleedit/releases

@altarvic only to you knowledge

Former user wrote on 8/15/2021, 11:16 AM

@joelsonforte.br Forgot about Vegasaur.
@RogerS If you don't have Vegasaur, it is worth the cost if you need to do a lot of captioning work as well as its many other features.

RogerS wrote on 8/16/2021, 5:00 AM

Hi Doug, thanks for explaining how it works, I appreciate that.

Joelson, thank you for sharing how Vegasaur can do this. It's a program I had some awareness of but didn't really understand what it could do. That video makes it clear you can go from text files to regions and regions to captions and then back to srt files, which is quite flexible.

Could it handle YouTube generated srt files? Its timecode is different than what Vegas wants, I believe.

Can it also batch edit formatting on text files? For example if a viewer sees the subtitles and thinks the shadow should be stronger or a point brighter, otherwise I have to manipulate them all by hand. I don't have Vegasaur but this could be a reason to get it.

Former user wrote on 8/16/2021, 8:47 AM

https://vegasaur.com/titles-and-text

RogerS wrote on 8/16/2021, 9:34 AM

So since the subtitle tool can output titles and text, using these features together makes that possible. Thank you.

joelsonforte.br wrote on 8/16/2021, 10:03 AM

Could it handle YouTube generated srt files? Its timecode is different than what Vegas wants, I believe.

Can it also batch edit formatting on text files? For example if a viewer sees the subtitles and thinks the shadow should be stronger or a point brighter, otherwise I have to manipulate them all by hand. I don't have Vegasaur but this could be a reason to get it.

@RogerS

Yes. Vegasaur can do all that and more. I work a lot with subtitles and I can say from experience that at the moment Vegasaur has the most complete tools for working with subtitles.

walter-i. wrote on 8/16/2021, 10:27 AM

@RogerS

Take a closer look at Vegasaur - it has a huge range of options that can make working with Vegas Pro a lot easier.
There are also Black Friday offers every now and then.
https://vegasaur.com/Vegasaur

Musicvid wrote on 8/16/2021, 10:39 AM

Export SRT captions- how does it work?

Even though Youtube accepts both captions (.scc) and subtitles (.srt), they are not the same, and care must be taken to know which is which when working in Vegas.

SRT subtitles are what we find on DVDs, and can be soft- or hard-coded.
SCC captions are what we see in broadcasts (CEA-608), and are embedded as a stream in your file (often MP4).

It seems best to experiment with both, to see what looks best on Youtube. I understand the support is very basic and no-frills.

fr0sty wrote on 8/16/2021, 11:36 AM

I really wish VEGAS would add support for CEA-708 captions, since they are required by law to air your show on stations that lack the ability to convert SRT files to CEA-708 on their end. I got lucky with the last station I worked with, they figured it out on their end, but not every station can.

Musicvid wrote on 8/16/2021, 11:58 AM

I really wish VEGAS would add support for CEA-708 captions

Here is another recent discussion, which gives some good background on Vegas and 608/708.

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/reading-embedded-closed-captions--123776/#ca770743