Subtitles and captions are used to display text for videos. Although they look quite similar, they display different types of text. Depending on the users needs, this article will introduce five tools for adding subtitles or captions to videos.
Subtitles and captions are used to display text for videos. Although they look quite similar, they display different types of text. Subtitles display the text spoken by a character in a movie for better understanding. Captions are used to display all the sounds occurring in a movie, such as knocking, shouting, or a ringing phone, for the hearing impaired. Depending on the user's needs, this article will introduce six tools for adding subtitles or captions to videos.
1. Add subtitles and captions with Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is an easy-to-use and powerful video creation and editing software application designed for Windows 11 and the latest Windows 7/8/10. Older versions work for Windows XP and Vista. Windows Movie Maker includes features such as effects, transitions, titles, audio tracks, timeline narration, and Auto Movie.
Windows Movie Maker is a video editing program created by Microsoft. The program allows users to integrate video, audio, still images, and recordings to create a personalized movie. Windows Movie Maker (WMM) was first included in Windows ME, commonly known as Windows 2000, the successor to Windows 98. It was introduced to the market on September 14, 2000. Movie Maker 'is part of the Windows Essentials suite and provides the ability to create and edit videos and publish them on OneDrive, Facebook, Vimeo, YouTube, and Flickr'.
New transition effects can be implemented, and existing effects can be modified using XML code. Windows Movie Maker is also a basic audio editing program. Windows Movie Maker can apply basic effects to audio tracks, such as fading out. Audio tracks can then be exported as audio files instead of video files.
With Windows Movie Maker, you can quickly transform your photos and videos into polished movies. Add special effects, transitions, sound, and captions to help tell your story vividly. Then, share your movie with friends and family!
Windows Movie Maker has always been one of the most popular software programs for simple video editing . The software can combine video files, allow you to add audio and music to videos, apply video transition effects, create slideshows, and much more. It's quite easy to use. Below is how to add subtitles and captions to a video using Movie Maker.
- Cut and merge video clips using the built-in Windows utility.
Step 1: Download Windows Movie Maker if you don't already have it. If you're using Windows 10, please read the article " How to download Windows Movie Maker on Windows 10" for instructions. 183263
Step 2: Open Movie Maker and download the video.
Step 3: Then click on the Home tab and select Caption .
Step 4: Windows Movie Maker will add a special window for entering text for the video.
Step 5: Edit the caption if necessary.
Step 6: Save the video to apply the changes.
This is a convenient and simple software that provides a multi-functional text editor, allowing you to change text position, font, and size. Additionally, you can choose transition effects for the text and make it appear in an unusual way.
2. Add subtitles and captions with YouTube Editor.
YouTube offers several ways to add subtitles, captions, and text to videos. This text can be annotations, text or speech bubbles, or captions.
- 7 quick and easy ways to download videos from YouTube.
Step 1: Register an account on YouTube using your Google account.
Step 2: Upload the video to YouTube.
Step 3: Once complete, open Video Manager by clicking your account icon in the top right corner > Creator Studio > Video Manager > Videos.
If you don't see Creator Studio , go to YouTube Studio , select the older version of Creator Studio from the bottom left menu, and then select Video Manager > Video .
Step 4: Next to the video you want to add subtitles to, click the dropdown menu next to the Edit button, and select Subtitles .
If you haven't already selected a primary language for the video, you'll be prompted to add it. Choose one; there are approximately 192 different options.
After making your selection, click the Add New Subtitles button and choose how to add subtitles to your video or edit the subtitles for your video:
- Upload file: This file contains both the text and the timestamps indicating when subtitles should be displayed in the video.
- Record and automatically synchronize.
- Create new subtitles: You can create your own subtitles with specific timestamps on the video.
- Use automatic subtitles : contributed subtitles, for example, song lyrics, often have automatic subtitles.
Here, TipsMake.com selects "Create new subtitles" :
Step 6: When finished, click the Save Changes button .
It's very simple and easy to do!
3. Add subtitles and captions with Pinnacle Studio
Pinnacle Studio is a fairly sophisticated video editing software that allows users to add captions to videos in a similar way to Windows Movie Maker.
Pinnacle Studio is a video editing program that is friendly to both beginners and intermediate users. A flagship product of Corel, this thorough video editor boasts advanced features and a simple interface. Interested editors can choose from three packages: Pinnacle Studio Basic, Ultimate, and Pro. Beginners will appreciate the user-friendly interface of Pinnacle Studio Basic, which is well-organized, efficient, modern, and simple.
Some of the features editors will love are split-screen video and the intuitive user interface. Multi-camera and multi-track video editing is included, as well as morphing, paint effects, and 360-degree video editing. Other features of the program are wide-angle lens correction, NewBlue Effects, and a 3D title editor.
The interface is designed to streamline all editing processes and provide quick access to tools. Users can also streamline their workflow by changing editing parameters.
Beyond basic arrangement, editing, and export tools, Pinnacle Studio also boasts a range of professional-level editing tools. These include multi-camera editing, split-screen functionality, 360-degree video editing, and 4K compatibility. In addition to giving editors the flexibility to create unique workflows, whether one is importing, arranging, or building perfect projects from media clips, raw footage can easily be transformed into polished, sophisticated videos suitable for sharing with friends and family.
To add text to a video using Pinnacle Studio, follow these simple instructions:
Step 1: Download Pinnacle Studio .
Step 2: Add the video to Pinnacle Studio.
Step 3: Select Titles.
Step 4: Choose the title type and position, then place it in the editor line.
Pinnacle Studio is intelligent software with many text editing options. However, it is quite resource-intensive and not free, although a 30-day trial version is available.
4. Add subtitles and captions with CaptionMaker
CaptionMaker is another tool that helps create subtitles and captions on Windows and Mac. The software isn't free, but a demo version is available. Therefore, you can download and try its features before deciding to use it. CaptionMaker is highly customizable; users can change fonts, text background colors, select the number of lines, position, and many other features.
To add captions with CaptionMaker:
Step 1: Download CaptionMaker for PC or Mac.
Step 2: Run the software on your PC or Mac.
Step 3: Import the video file via File > Open Movie .
Step 4: Set the required time for the caption.
Step 5: Enter text into the Caption/Subtitle field .
Step 6: Choose the subtitle style and caption (font, position, etc.).
Step 7: When finished, click File > Save to save the video with subtitles and captions.
CaptionMaker is a great tool; if you want a professional-looking caption, you shouldn't miss it.
5. Add subtitles and captions using Aegisub.
Aegisub is a cross-platform text editing software similar to Notepad , allowing you to create subtitles and captions with just a few clicks. The software has a built-in video player, so there's no need to open videos in a separate video player.
To add subtitles and captions to your videos using Aegisub, please read this guide on how to create subtitles for videos using Aegisub .
6. Add subtitles and captions with Google Drive.
Google Drive is well-known as a cloud service that can store data and give you access to it from any device, anywhere in the world. Only a few users know that Google Drive can also help add subtitles to videos. It's easy and completely free. Here's how you can add subtitles or captions with Google Drive.
Step 1 : Log in or register at drive.google.com.
Step 2 : Click on New > Upload file .
.and select the video you want to add subtitles to.
Step 3 : Once the video appears in your Google Drive, right-click the file and select Manage subtitles .
Step 4 : Now, click on the Add new subtitle option.
Step 5 : Select the subtitle file in SRT format.
Step 6 : Select the language for the new subtitles and enter a title for the subtitle track.
Step 7 : Click Upload to add subtitles to the video.
This is a convenient and simple service that provides the option to add pre-made subtitles. If you want to disable subtitles, simply right-click the file, select Manage subtitles , find the added subtitle, click the three vertical dots next to it, and click Delete to turn it off.
If you encounter errors when adding subtitles to videos on your Google Drive, Google suggests three possible solutions:
- Make sure the subtitle file is in SubRip (*.SRT) or SubViewer (*.SUB) format.
- Make sure the subtitle file is no larger than 2MB.
- Make sure the subtitles don't outgrow the video (this can cause auto-sync issues).
Note that video subtitles on Google Drive have the same sharing settings as the video they belong to. This means that anyone with video editing permissions will be able to upload, download, and edit your video subtitles.
Good luck with your project!