Info@capitalcaptions.com
+44 01622 37 0882
  • |
  • COMPANY
    • A Top UK Subtitling Company
    • Video Transcription Company
    • Corporate Testimonials
    • Individual Reviews
    • Video Transcription Layouts
    • Why Choose Us
    • Contact us
  • SUBTITLES
    • ONLINE SUBTITLE SERVICES
      • Broadcast Subtitles
      • YouTube Subtitles
      • Subtitling Services for E-Learning
      • Subtitle Writing Formats
    • SUBTITLING GUIDELINES
      • What are .SRT Subtitles?
      • EBU-TT and EBU-STL Subtitles
      • Subtitle Burning and Formatting
      • Subtitle Placement
      • All Subtitle Services
    • FOREIGN SUBTITLING AND TRANSLATION
      • French Subtitling Services
      • German Subtitling Services
      • Italian Subtitling Services
      • Spanish Subtitling Services
      • Portuguese Subtitling Services
      • Chinese Subtitling Services
  • SERVICES
    • VOICEOVERS AND DUBBING SERVICES
      • Subtitling and Video Translation Processes
      • Foreign Transcription Services
      • BSL Interpreting Services
      • Voiceovers and Dubbing Services
      • Audio Description Services
      • Video Accessibility Services
      • Editing Services
    • VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION
      • TRANSCRIPTION
      • Conference Transcription
      • Legal Transcription
      • Research Transcription
      • Medical Transcription
      • Transcription Guidelines
      • Video to Text Services Canada
      • All Transcription Sectors
    • TRANSLATION SERVICES
      • French Subtitling Services
      • German Subtitling Services
      • Italian Subtitling Services
      • Spanish Subtitling Services
      • Portuguese Subtitling Services
      • Greek Subtitling Services
      • Chinese Subtitling Services
      • Russian Subtitling Services
      • All Translation sectors
    • DOCUMENT SERVICES
      • Proofreading Services
      • Document Formatting Services
      • Copy Typing Services
      • Data Entry Services
      • Promote Your Business
  • CLOSED CAPTIONS
    • BROADCAST CLOSED CAPTIONS
      • Video on Demand Closed Captioning Services
      • Captions for the Deaf
    • AMAZON VIDEO CLOSED CAPTIONING
      • Closed Captions Legal Obligations
      • Closed Captioning Services – FAQs
    • STANDARD CLOSED CAPTIONING GUIDELINES
      • Video Closed Captions Formatting
      • Closed Captioning Service Categories
  • BLOG
  • QUOTE
    • Payment
    • Get a Quote
    • Upload Files
    • Our Service Rates
    • USA and Canada Service Rates
    • Client Area
  • CONTACT
    • Work with Capital Captions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • COMPANY
    • A Top UK Subtitling Company
    • Video Transcription Company
    • Corporate Testimonials
    • Individual Reviews
    • Video Transcription Layouts
    • Why Choose Us
    • Contact us
  • SUBTITLES
    • ONLINE SUBTITLE SERVICES
      • Broadcast Subtitles
      • YouTube Subtitles
      • Subtitling Services for E-Learning
      • Subtitle Writing Formats
    • SUBTITLING GUIDELINES
      • What are .SRT Subtitles?
      • EBU-TT and EBU-STL Subtitles
      • Subtitle Burning and Formatting
      • Subtitle Placement
      • All Subtitle Services
    • FOREIGN SUBTITLING AND TRANSLATION
      • French Subtitling Services
      • German Subtitling Services
      • Italian Subtitling Services
      • Spanish Subtitling Services
      • Portuguese Subtitling Services
      • Chinese Subtitling Services
  • SERVICES
    • VOICEOVERS AND DUBBING SERVICES
      • Subtitling and Video Translation Processes
      • Foreign Transcription Services
      • BSL Interpreting Services
      • Voiceovers and Dubbing Services
      • Audio Description Services
      • Video Accessibility Services
      • Editing Services
    • VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION
      • TRANSCRIPTION
      • Conference Transcription
      • Legal Transcription
      • Research Transcription
      • Medical Transcription
      • Transcription Guidelines
      • Video to Text Services Canada
      • All Transcription Sectors
    • TRANSLATION SERVICES
      • French Subtitling Services
      • German Subtitling Services
      • Italian Subtitling Services
      • Spanish Subtitling Services
      • Portuguese Subtitling Services
      • Greek Subtitling Services
      • Chinese Subtitling Services
      • Russian Subtitling Services
      • All Translation sectors
    • DOCUMENT SERVICES
      • Proofreading Services
      • Document Formatting Services
      • Copy Typing Services
      • Data Entry Services
      • Promote Your Business
  • CLOSED CAPTIONS
    • BROADCAST CLOSED CAPTIONS
      • Video on Demand Closed Captioning Services
      • Captions for the Deaf
    • AMAZON VIDEO CLOSED CAPTIONING
      • Closed Captions Legal Obligations
      • Closed Captioning Services – FAQs
    • STANDARD CLOSED CAPTIONING GUIDELINES
      • Video Closed Captions Formatting
      • Closed Captioning Service Categories
  • BLOG
  • QUOTE
    • Payment
    • Get a Quote
    • Upload Files
    • Our Service Rates
    • USA and Canada Service Rates
    • Client Area
  • CONTACT
    • Work with Capital Captions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
Info@capitalcaptions.com
+44 01622 37 0882

An Extensive Guide to Closed Captions and Subtitle File Formats

by JodeneAntoniou May 8, 2025 in  General posts, Subtitles and captioning closed captions, Guides, SRT, Subtitle requirements 0 11

Subtitles are used all over the world to help make video content more accessible. To viewers, the concept behind subtitling is a very simple thing. In this blog, we will go through an extensive guide to closed captions and subtitle file formats and we’ll consider why they are different, when each is required, and what are the consequences if the wrong type of captions are used.

Subtitles and closed captions simply consist of onscreen text that displays to convey dialogue and/or sound effects as required by foreign speakers or viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Only when you are producing content either for broadcast, a live audience or online, does it become apparent how many different options there are when it comes to captioning services.

Standard Online Subtitles

For basic online, dialogue only subtitles, SRT is the go-to format. It’s the simplest to create, the easiest to edit and the most widely compatible for use with online video. There are two scenarios in which SRT subtitling is likely to be your best option:

  • SRT for Social Media and Websites

SRT subtitles are a simple format, great for videomakers new to subtitling  who want to upload a caption file in the simplest way possible, for subtitling on social media sites such as YouTube, Vimeo or Facebook.

  • SRT for Easy Editing

Experienced video producers who want to have greater control over their subtitles often use SRT files during editing. The simplicity of the format means you can alter timings and the look of your subtitles as you go. SRT is also a recommended format if the subtitles need to be imported into software such as Premiere or Final Cut and then embedded/burned into the video.

Broadcast Closed Captions

Closed captions created for broadcast purposes will have a requirement to include descriptions for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Depending on the channel where the show or film will be distributed, there will be specifications around what should be included, and the style in which the subtitles should be displayed. Reading speeds may also be defined, with slower speeds for children’s subtitles and faster speeds allowed for adult shows. Some of the most commonly requested broadcast formats are outlined below.

  • CAP and SCC captions

Though fast becoming a legacy software, many distributors still request SCC closed captions for broadcast content. This is a closed caption format with strict 32 character limits. There are also limitations on characters used and some language limitations.

  • STL captions

With greater flexibility on characters, with 42 character limits, STL open captions are often requested alongside SCC captions. Reading speeds will be specified by the distributor, as will writing styles and requests for italics and other specific formatting. Similar to SCC, the STL caption format does have some limitations in terms of supported characters.

  • TTML, DFXP and EBU-TT Captions

All displaying as XML format captions, these formats aim to replace the legacy SCC format over time. The TTML format has much greater compatibility. For EBU-TT, character limits should be set to 37. For TTML and DFXP, there is greater flexibility on this.

SDH (Subtitles for Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

Closed captions created for deaf and hard of hearing viewers should have a number of elements to ensure they are fit for purpose. They can be listed as below:

  • Caption descriptions of sound effects.

These are typically described within square or round brackets, sitting as standalone captions. They can describe music or noises relevant to the context of the video.

  • Voice descriptions.

Voice descriptions can be used to describe the tone of a speaker, where intonation may not be read properly through text. For instance, a tone of sarcasm, shouting, whispering, or using a silly voice or accent.

  • Use of italics.

Italics are normally used within closed captions to indicate a speaker is offscreen or to show narration over a video. This helps to avoid any confusion on speakers who are not present within a scene.

  • Colours and/or caption placements.

Foreign Subtitles

Subtitles created for translation purposes for foreign audiences should typically only include dialogue and not descriptions for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Specific fonts may need to be used for certain languages and some caption formats may not be compatible for certain languages. In terms of SCC captions, 708 closed captions offer more flexibility and support for international characters. Below are some typical scenarios for the use of foreign subtitling.

  • Subtitle translation

Subtitltle translation is often requested for feature films and documentaries in broadcast formats. In these cases, only dialogue will be subtitled, and elements for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be removed.

  • Foreign subtitles

Foreign subtitles are often burned into films which may be displayed at festivals or events where the audience speaks a different language to the source video.

Forced Narrative Subtitles

Forced narrative subtitles are used to translate content that is in a foreign language within a film, where that language is not dominantly used throughout. For example, an English film with short sections of Chinese speakers should have subtitles that will appear for all viewers only when Chinese is spoken. These subtitles are often burned in but in cases where closed captions will be used and/or other foreign subtitles, they are required to be flagged as forced narrative, meaning those captions are ‘forced’ onto the screen whether subtitles are turned on or off.

Forced narrative subtitles are also used for onscreen text and/or titles for foreign audiences. A subtitle file will contain dialogue only in the source language, for a translator to work from. However, onscreen text would be in the source language so would then also require translation, so should be included within forced narrative.

Forced narratives should be flagged within a caption file and often, broadcasters will request the below:

  • A caption file which includes both all caption text and forced narratives, appropriately flagged.
  • A caption file including caption text (dialogue and sound effects only) with forced narrative removed.
  • A caption file which contains only forced narrative.

DLP / DCP Closed Captions and XML (Digital Cinema Package)

Used for cinema releases and festivals, closed captions will be supplied in a Digital Light Processing format. This format can be imported and used within a DCP, where cinema projectors and servers can display them properly. An XML exported as a DLP should have three files – one containing the captions, another containing ID and metadata information, and a final file containing the font. DLP files are timed text and can be exported as SMPTE, which is an industry standard frame based format used as standard. They can also be exported as DTS-CSS, which uses a DTS timecode and is the standard for cinema.

So there you have it, whether it’s online subtitles, Digital Cinema Packages, subtitle translations and broadcast Captions – we’ve got them covered! So as you can see from this extensive guide to closed captions and subtitle file formats, using the correct format from the start will save you a lot of time and money when it comes to getting your subtitles correct. 

An extensive guide to closed captions and subtitle file formats should give you all the information you need to know. If you would like to know more about these services or any other services we currently offer then visit our website today or click the button below to get your quote today.

Get A Quote

BSL Interpretting services

High quality, low cost and fully localised BSL


Alongside our closed captioning services for the deaf and hard of hearing, we offer low cost BSL interpreting services

Find out More

EBU TT-D Subtitles

Broadcast quality EBU-TT-D subtitling solutions.


EBU-TT-D formats are highly customisable, and specifications include: Subtitle text colours, Subtitle text background

Find out More

Broadcast Subtitles

Provide deaf or hard of hearing audiences access


Create professional broadcast subtitles for production companies, as well as television channels and service providers

Find out More
Follow us:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Previous Post

A Guide to Recording Audio Description

Recording audio description

Audio Description, Voiceover and Dubbing

Comments are closed.

Latest Posts

An extensive Guide to Closed Captions and Subtitle File Formats

An Extensive Guide to Closed Captions and Subtitle File Formats

May 8, 2025

Recording audio description

A Guide to Recording Audio Description

April 14, 2025

Rates for Subtitle Translation

Set Rates for Subtitle Translation

March 28, 2025

Categories

  • Audio Description
  • Editing and Proofreading
  • General posts
  • Subtitles and captioning
  • Text Animation
  • Transcription services
  • Translation
  • Voiceover and Dubbing

About Capital Captions

Capital Captions specialise in high quality subtitling, closed captioning, video transcription, translation, and voiceover services. Our flexible approach to working with video content means we can effectively provide a one-stop-shop for clients wanting to turn their audio into text.

Latest Posts

An extensive Guide to Closed Captions and Subtitle File Formats

An Extensive Guide to Closed Captions and Subtitle File Formats

May 8, 2025

Recording audio description

A Guide to Recording Audio Description

April 14, 2025

Company

About Us 

Our Services 

Contact 

Privacy Policy 

Terms and Conditions

Contact Info

01622 37 0882
info@capitalcaptions.com
Cowstead Farmhouse, Cowstead Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7UA
Monday - Saturday: 8am - 9pm

Sunday 8am-5pm

© Capital Captions Accessibility Services 2020 | Registered Office: Cowstead Farmhouse, Cowstead Road, Stockbury, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7UA, GBR. | Company Reg No: 1225097437 | VAT reg no: 345 4248 01

About Us

Capital Captions specialise in high quality subtitling, closed captioning, video transcription, translation, and voiceover services. Our flexible approach to working with video content means we can effectively provide a one-stop-shop for clients wanting to turn their audio into text.

Latest Posts

An extensive Guide to Closed Captions and Subtitle File Formats

An Extensive Guide to Closed Captions and Subtitle File Formats

May 8, 2025

Recording audio description

A Guide to Recording Audio Description

April 14, 2025

Rates for Subtitle Translation

Set Rates for Subtitle Translation

March 28, 2025

Contact Info

01622 37 0882
Info@capitalcaptions.com
Monday - Saturday 8AM - 9PM
We use necessary cookies to enable core functionality including security, network management and accessibility. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. If you decline your information won't be tracked when you visit this website.
Cookie SettingsAccept Reject
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT