Asset Requirements
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      Captions Requirements

      Requirements for english & non-english captions

      🚨We require all content to be submitted with English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH).

      What are SDH?

      SDH aim to describe all significant audio content for the deaf and hard of hearing. SDH are also commonly called Closed Captions. This includes spoken dialogue and non-speech information (commonly called atmospherics), such as the identity of speakers and, occasionally, their manner of speaking—along with any significant music or sound effects using words or symbols.

      Why do we require English SDH?

      • Nearly all major Channels now mandate English SDH Captions for reasons besides physiological hearing issues. Your audience will often watch films on a laptop in a noisy cafe, a tablet on a commuter train, a TV in a bar, or simply at home in the kitchen with the sound of cooking and kids.
      • With English SDH, we can easily translate your title as needed to non-English languages to expand the number of Channels and territories we can pitch your title to. 

      Requirements

      • File Formats:
        • We prefer SubRip (.srt) format in plain UTF-8. We recommend using a text editor such as BBEdit to open and re-save your .srt files in UTF-8.
        • Scenarist Closed Caption (.scc) is also accepted. A frame rate must be selected for SCC files. Learn more about SCC.
      • Single line max 43 chars
      • Unbreak subtitles shorter than 43 chars
      • Min gap between subtitles 66 ms
      • Max chars/sec 25
      • Min duration 600 ms
      • Max duration 8000 ms
      • Max number of lines 2
      • All captions must be complete and accurate and sync with the video.
        • This includes lyrics in the opening and closing credits.
      • Correct punctuation and spelling are required.
      • <HTML> tags should be removed (Exception: < /br> line break)

      Mixed Language Titles

      • We require a complete English SDH caption file (ALL dialogues + atmospherics) for all titles, even mixed language.
      • If English is the primary audio language, you can burn in English subtitles for all the non-English dialogue and provide a separate English SDH file that INCLUDES the lines that are burned in.
      • If English is a secondary audio language, you should provide the main video without burned-in subtitles and have a complete English closed caption file (ALL dialogues + atmospherics). In addition to that, it's recommended that you also upload two additional English captions:
        • English subtitles for all dialogue with no atmospherics
        • English SDH for ALL dialogue and atmospherics

      Tips & Tricks before Submitting

      • For other file formats, you can use the below apps or web apps to convert to .srt.
      • Use the "Fix common errors" feature in Subtitle Edit to catch and fix any rule errors before submitting your title.
      • Playback your video in our system with the captions enabled and jump to a few random spots to ensure the captions are in sync before submitting.