December 3, 2024 / by Margarita Núñez Estimated read time: 3 minutes
Video Text Track files (VTT files) are specialized text files that are saved in a format known as WebVTT. These files include details about the video, like metadata, and are among the most widely used formats for video subtitling today.
Video subtitling is used as a way of translating voice to text for videos, films, etc., so people in other countries can understand the content.
Translation Tips
There are a few things to consider when translating VTT files.
VTT Text
If you have a VTT file for the original video, then SimulTrans can translate the text in this file leaving the timestamps unchanged. If you do not have a VTT file, SimulTrans can create the VTT file by transcribing the spoken audio from the video and adding the timestamps. A second person then reviews the VTT file to verify that all text is accurate and the timestamps are precise. After this, the VTT file can be sent to you for your review.
Fonts
Since fonts can be specified in VTT files, it's crucial to communicate with your translation partner about any specific font preferences you have for your subtitles. This ensures that the visual presentation of the subtitles aligns with your desired aesthetic and branding. By discussing font choices in advance, you can maintain consistency across your video content and enhance the overall viewing experience for your audience. Whether you prefer a classic serif font for a formal tone or a modern sans-serif for a clean and contemporary look, making your preferences known will help achieve the desired impact.
Text Wrapping
For subtitle text to be legible, the font size needs to be at least size 60. Therefore, it’s recommended that a maximum of two lines be used for each subtitle. Having three or more lines for any subtitle would result in a large portion of the video being used for subtitle text, which is unattractive.Soft vs. Hard Subtitles
Soft subtitles are those where the subtitle is stored in a VTT (or similar) file. For the subtitle text to appear in the video, both the video and subtitle file need to have the same filename and be stored in the same folder. Hard subtitles are those where the subtitle has been permanently merged into the video.
Today, VTT files are quickly becoming the most popular file formats for video subtitling.
For assistance with translating video voiceovers and subtitles, reach out to us.
