Welcome to our first article about subtitles!
Ever wondered what happens between typing text and seeing it appear perfectly synchronized on screen? While subtitles might look simple - just text on video, right? - there's quite a bit more going on behind the scenes.
Core Concepts
What makes a subtitle system tick? Every subtitle needs three essential elements:
- Content (text or images)
- Timing information
- Format-specific metadata
Subtitles come in two main varieties:
- Text-based subtitles store actual text, along with timing and formatting
- Bitmap subtitles deliver pre-rendered images instead
Which type fits your project? It depends on your needs - and we'll explore that soon.
Modern Formats
The subtitle world has grown from simple text files to handling complex animations and positioning. Here are the formats you'll encounter most often:
Text-based formats:
- SRT: Simple, universal, gets the job done
- SSA/ASS: When you need styling and precise control
- WebVTT: Built for the modern web
Bitmap formats:
- DVD subtitles and PGS (Blu-ray)
- Broadcast formats (CEA-608/708)
What's Next?
In the following articles, we'll explore each format in detail, starting with SRT files - the backbone of modern subtitling. We'll tackle encoding challenges, discover advanced styling options, and build professional workflows for subtitle creation and delivery.
Have your subtitle files ready - things are about to get interesting.
