Fix Subtitles | Shot Changes

[chenlung]

In relation to automatic adjustment of subtitles in accordance with shot changes, what rules would users like implemented?

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Netflix's guidelines are a good place to start; even EZTitles has implemented them (Subtitle Edit is in the process of producing a similar feature).

Subtitling houses and other organisations may deviate from these (e.g. Channel 4), so rules should be customisable (similar to the general conventions available in Tero Subtitler). I have mine (based on Netflix's with some deviations), and they are as follows:

• Minimum gap of two frames (i.e. two frames not displaying subtitles, enabling the viewer to register a different subtitle)
• Minimum display time of 20 frames
• Maximum display time of seven seconds
• Maximum of two lines
• No gaps of less than half the frame rate*. Bridge this by extending start or end times
• Keep one frame clear on either side of a shot change
• Start at least half the frame rate* before a shot change occurs. End an entry with the same amount of frames after a shot change
• If an entry starts/ends within half the frame rate* of a shot change, extend the timing to it

*Half the frame rate: 24 = 12; 30 = 15

[chenlung]

Once such a feature is implemented, I propose that Fix Subtitles be split into two sections:

• Text/Syntax
• Timings

[chenlung]

There could be broader fixes that are timing-related but don't pertain exclusively to shot changes (e.g. bridging gaps).