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subtitles…
Hello,
I am busy creating a foreign language documentary, and have had the interviews translated into text documents. What I want to know is how can I import this text as subtitles into sony vegas? Making separate text media events for each sentence seems a bit tedious, and there must be an easier way?
What subtitle software could I use in conjunction with sony vegas?
thanks
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18 Replies
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Do you want to add the subtitles in Vegas or in DVDA?
Theo
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Well the interview will be uploaded on the internet at first, and not burnt to Dvd, so preferably how to do it in vegas. Is it alot easier to add subtitles in DVD architect? If so, is it possible to add the subtitles in DVD architect and then upload the video to the net?
thanks
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On page 264 and further of the Vegas pro 9 manual, you will find detailed information about how to add closed captions in Vegas. Is that what you are looking for?
https://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/manuals/vegaspro
Theo
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My preference is to do them directly in DVDA.
I usually get time code numbers and matching copy so it’s a simple case of dropping markers at the right spots on the Vegas timeline and picking them up in DVDA to be renamed.
It’s a lot of Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V but it really doesn’t take that long.You can also drop markers on your Vegas timeline.
Convert them to regions, use a copy/paste from MS Word to name them and run the “Export Regions as Subtitles” script for use in DVDA if so desired. -
Thanks Theo, but as I said I will be posting this on the internet and so my viewers wont be using windows media player, which i think they would need to view the subtitles in that fashion.
Yes I will take your time coding idea on board Mike, and use the export regions as subtitles idea too.
I will let you know how it goes, really really appreciate the help!
James
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One more thing…I haven’t tested it yet, but will rendering the video likely change the sych of the subtitles with the image? im meeting the translater soon to match the subtitles and I dont want to have to deal with this problem later.
thanks
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James, rendering will not change the sync of the subtitles with the image.
To go back to your original post for a moment though, since you’re not sure if this will be going to DVD or not, you’ll have to do each subtitle as a text event.
Markers are used only if you’re going to DVD as they won’t show up on-screen in any way, shape or form.
What I would do is still drop markers on the timeline to be used as reference points.
Create a text event at the first marker and get the font size, color and length set.
My rule of thumb is to leave it up for as long as it takes to read it out loud slowly.
To help keep the text as clean as possible (due to the small size), create this event at 2X your project resolution.
By that, I mean make it 1440 x 960 instead of 720 x 480.
This will not affect the generated media other than making it a bit cleaner.
I’d recommend Arial 20 pt., white lettering at 235-235-235, a black outline at 16-16-16 and centered at the bottom of the screen.
Don’t bother with a drop shadow as it’s not clean enough at this small a font size.
I suggest sticking to 3 lines of text maximum.
I’ve done 4 but it can start to crowd the on-screen video.
Make sure you use the safe area markers and stay inside the inner set of lines.
Once you get the first event done, copy it and then paste it at the rest of the marker locations (here’s where the markers come in VERY handy).
You do this so that you don’t have to repeat all the set-up steps as this information gets copied along with the text itself.
Do this step first and then go back and replace the text with the text from your MS Word document.
If you can, set your margins to a width of 30 characters as this is the maximum that you’ll be able to safely squeeze in between the safe area markers.
You can squeeze in 40 characters but this assumes a log of small letters such as i and l that don’t take up too much width.
Once you get into capitals like a D, they take up more space.
Let me know if you need any more information and good luck with the project. -
Thanks very much for taking the time to give advice
Mike, I am getting together with the translator this weekend so I will let you know how it goes, thanks againJames
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James, good luck with the project and please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
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Why not including the windows media player into your (HTML) webpage. Otherwise, I think that you indeed need to use the media generator to add subtitling to your video in Vegas
Theo
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