Video content can be a great way to reach global audiences with your message. Taking the decision to translate subtitles for your foreign videos is a clever first step towards a wider audience. However, when working with foreign captions, it can be hard to know where to start.
But don't worry! We are here to help. Our comprehensive guide to hard coded subtitles and video translation services will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about what type of hard coded subtitles and video translation would benefit your films and social media videos.
To start with, it is crucial to understand the clear difference between hard coded and soft coded subtitles. The terms 'hard coded' and 'soft coded' refer to how subtitles are played. Simply put, they refer to the visibility of subtitles on a video, their ability to be toggled on and off, or different language options. Clients who opt for soft coding in their subtitle translations will receive a separate subtitle file, which must be uploaded to their media player in order to work alongside their video. The formats for soft coded subtitles include .srt, .vtt, .ebu-tt, .stl, .dfxp, .ttml and more.
Hard-coded subtitles are permanently embedded into the visual content of the video. They cannot be turned off or adjusted and remain in place regardless of how the video is played.
Soft-coded subtitles, on the other hand, are separate files that can be turned on and off at will, and offer options for customization such as size, font, color, and position. They are not permanently embedded into the video, but are rather overlayed on top of it during playback.
The main difference between the two is that hard-coded subtitles are a permanent part of the video file, while soft-coded subtitles are separate files that can be adjusted or removed as necessary. Hard-coded subtitles are often used for videos that are intended to be circulated and shared widely, such as on the internet. Soft-coded subtitles, on the other hand, are more commonly used for videos that are meant to be viewed on specific devices or by particular audiences.
In contrast, hard coded foreign subtitles are permanent. The on-screen text is burned into the video as a sequence of images which cannot be turned on and off. Formats for hard coded subtitle translations include .mp4, .mov, .avi, .wmv and more.
When it comes to choosing the best option for video makers, soft-coded subtitle translation is often seen as the superior choice. Video on Demand services like Amazon and Netflix allow for closed subtitles that cater to multinational audiences. Additionally, platforms such as TikTok and YouTube provide English subtitles for all audiences, and even Apple's iOS and macOS offer subtitles for video and audio.
With closed subtitling, on-screen text can be easily toggled on or off as needed, and multiple languages can be selected based on the viewer's requirements. This feature is often utilized for DVD and Blu-ray disks, and is commonly found in multilingual closed subtitles and closed captions.
However, many video makers fail to take full advantage of the multilingual subtitle functionality on social media and video sharing sites like TikTok, YouTube and Vimeo, despite its availability. By implementing soft-coded subtitles, video makers can easily provide a wider audience with access to their content in a language of their choice.
Also known as "forced subtitles", hard-coded subtitles are often used in foreign films that contain sporadic foreign dialogue or references that require translation. For example, an English-speaking film may feature instances of French speech that require subtitles just for the French portions.
Filmmakers may underestimate the value of subtitle burning services, only realizing the need for hard-coded subtitle translations upon publishing a foreign video. Such services are particularly useful for websites that use a great deal of video content across international URLs.
Hard-coded subtitles may be necessary for films or videos that feature foreign languages or content, and can greatly benefit multilingual audiences. By including hard-coded subtitles, filmmakers can ensure their content is accessible and engaging for people of all backgrounds and languages.