Alter video for subtitles?
by Matt Gerard
on
Aug 14, 2008 at 8:46:58 pm
Just getting into doing some bit subtitle projects, about 16 languages each video, and multiple videos. Here are the stats-
1) English Video/English audio track/English Subtitles
2) Spanish Video (graphics get translated)/Spanish audio track/Spanish Subtitles
3) 14 other languages subtitled, using the english video and audio tracks.
So, these are safety videos for operating equipment. My client is questioning me about the ability to scale the video down so that the subtitles are on a black bar at the bottom of the screen. So, scale to 80% and shove it up to the top of the frame. He is concerned about certain actions or graphics being covered by the subtitles. Have you ever heard of anyone doing that? I've never seen a video altered for the sake of subtitles. Also, at 26 min, I would need 4 versions of the shows
English (not scaled)
English (scaled for subtitles)
Spanish (not Scaled)
Spanish (scaled for subtitles)
then use the english (scaled) for the other languages.
That would put me over my single layer DVD space, and I don't like the idea of compressing at a lower bitrate, I've got great looking settings and I'd rather not changes them.
Any thoughts?
MAtt
Its more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than a fast motorcycle slow...
Re: Alter video for subtitles? by Chris Detjen on Aug 14, 2008 at 10:42:58 pm
Resizing video to make a black bar at the bottom for subtitles? I would keep that task for your edit system not for DVDSP. But, what sounds better to me would be to have subtitles made by a reputable vendor that will position subtitles along the upper or lower portion of the screen depending upon the location of on-screen graphics. That way no on-screen graphics will be hidden by subtitles--if a graphic appears on the lower edge of the frame, the subtitle will appear at the top of the frame.
About DVD space, 4 versions of a 26-min show on a DVD, I would plan to use dual-layer DVDs. More space to allow you to keep high-quality encodes.
Re: Alter video for subtitles? by Bouke Vahl on Aug 17, 2008 at 7:39:13 pm
Scaling the video to make space for subs is total bullshit.
If you have decent subs, you have white titles and a black outline, so they will be readable always.
I think your client is confused cause he watches 16:9 movies on a 4:3 screen, where the video is scaled but the subs are not.
Although i'm a HUGE subtitle fan (and wrote a program to create them), i would NEVER alter my video to accomodate subs...
Bouke
http://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro's
Re: Alter video for subtitles? by Matt Gerard on Aug 18, 2008 at 12:54:36 pm
[Bouke Vahl]" i would NEVER alter my video to accomodate subs... "
I totally agree, so we are talking him out of it. Short of absolutely refusing to do it and losing the business (which would be foolish as well), I don't want to shrink the video.
Basically what I need to do, though, is get an excel spreadsheet with the TC in, TC out and translation in the spreadsheet into dvdsp. I don't need to type in the subtitles, i have the script already. I need a utility that will take an excel sheet and convert it to an STL file for DVDSP. I'd write it myself, but alas, I have no clue how to program. Last thing I coded for was a Commodore 64!!
So, I have a workflow, but it has lots to be desired. a conversion utility would be greatly appreciated, and as soon as I find one, I would happily pay for it!
Matt
Its more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than a fast motorcycle slow...
Re: Alter video for subtitles? by Bouke Vahl on Aug 18, 2008 at 1:24:59 pm
Watch out with text based STL. It has nasty bugs, and you cannot control line height, so most of the time it is way to big. (lines are too far apart)
Better is to render TIFF's, apply the Chris Linke filter and create a file based STL.
Subbits (my subtitle app) can do so for you, and create the STL
(it can output text based STL as well)
In what format do you have them now? If you like, mail me that file and i'll have a look how to convert it. I'll also mail you back some TIFFS and a file based STL as well as a text based STL, so you can see for yourself.
bouke {at} videotoolshed {dot} com
Bouke
http://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro's
