Comparisons of Captioning Software Methods

As Part of the grant, we ran comparison tests on different captioning software and methods to assess efficiency. The following are our findings.

MovieCaptioner review

  • Movie must be downloaded to computer before loading.
    • Movie file cannot be HD otherwise files are too large and will cause lagging in video and captions will appear fragmented.
    • Could cause problems for videos that include ASL where picture clarity is important.
  • Transcribing videos  in MovieCaptioner
    • For a slow typist: average 30 min -3 hours for videos under 5 min.
    • Transcribing may be hindered by the seconds of video which are repeated as some sentences are longer than others.
    • In order to review work as you go the preview dialog box must be continuously reopened.
    • Time codes are set as the captions are added.
  • Importing Transcripts from word(as .txt)
    • Transcript must be saved in notepad or other similar program as .txt document first.
    • Review .txt document to remove special characters if any. Very time consuming to edit after import; edit in notepad first.
    • Import text options
      • Import by Paragraph causes program to stop responding
      • Import by Line imports entire document including special characters if .txt document was not already reviewed.
    • Cannot copy and paste whole transcript or whole paragraphs. Very time consuming to split into separate captions and punctuation does not transfer.
    • After importing text some captions may need to be split and appropriate line breaks must be added
    • Once editing is finished time codes must be set using the time code button.
    •  If the transcript includes time codes they will be imported into the captions as text.

(Time codes will not set themselves from a .txt document.)

    • To set time codes first change the second counter next to the button otherwise the video will add blank captions on its own.
    • Listen carefully to set the time code at the first word in every caption.
  • Importing srt.
    • If available an edited srt. will import all captions and set timecodes correctly with punctuation. Only minor corrections and line breaks may be needed.
    • If unedited the srt. will need to be edited in a similar fashion to the YouTube editor: punctuation, spelling errors, line breaks, splits, etc.
    • Resetting time codes may be needed
  • Editing
    • Undo function only goes back a set amount of times
    • Undo function will scroll the captions all the way to the top.
    • Black rectangle under the video is for adding captions edits must be done to captions next to the video.
    • Some keyboard commands do not work and some do not have commands at all
    • If it’s not visible, the “set timecode” button is under “view” in the toolbar.
    • Cannot scroll through captions using ↑↓ arrow keys

 

Amara Review

  • Loading videos
    • Original URL only
    • Some URLs may be added by other Amara users (they may or may not be captioned)
    • If the URL is added by other users, the link must be saved to avoid repeated searches.
    • Some youtube videos are not enabled on other websites; after video have been uploaded to Amara press play to ensure that it can be watched outside of youtube.
    • If the original link is not from youtube, it must be a compatible url.
    •  
  • Transcribing in Amara
    • For a slow typist: average 50 min -2.5hrs for video under 5 min.
    • Captions may not exceed two lines and 42 characters per line.
    • Timings do not set as captions are added.
  • Uploading transcripts
    • If transcript must be typed avoid long paragraphs add line breaks in a similar fashion to captions.
    • Save transcript as .txt document no revisions in notepad needed
    • While saving transcript as .txt, make sure “insert line breaks” box is checked or the entire text will be uploaded into one caption on amara and must be split.
    • If splitting a very long caption: Split from bottom to top using CTRL + ENTER; scrolling to the top and splitting will create a new caption underneath and cause the original caption to scroll to the bottom
    • Sync timings and review total: average 1 hr
  • Importing srt. (Same as MovieCaptioner)
    • If available an edited srt. will import all captions and set timecodes correctly with punctuation. Only minor corrections and line breaks may be needed.
    • If unedited the srt. will need to be edited in a similar fashion to the YouTube editor: punctuation, spelling errors, line breaks, splits, etc.
    • Resyncing and review will likely be needed
  • Editing
    • Keyboard command list is at the top left hand corner of the screen.
    • During final review stage exclamation points next to the captions give tips on mistakes that may have been overlooked.

 

YouTube Review

  • Loading Videos
    • Videos must be downloaded onto computer and re-uploaded to MCC youtube account in order to transcribe/edit auto-text. (Not ideal for copyrighted videos)
    • Private: Best option for copyrighted videos, and provides privacy for teacher made videos. This option keeps the videos viewable only by our account.
    • Unlisted: Still provides privacy for teacher-made videos. This option allows the video to be viewed only by those who have a link to it.
    • Public:(Avoid) Under this option anyone can search and/or view the video.
  • Transcribing in Youtube
    • Using the “transcribe and sync” option for captioning simply type what you hear.
    • The video will automatically pause while typing and it will play when typing has stopped.
    • Once finished Youtube will auto-set the timings based on the audio, revisions can be made afterwards.
  • Uploading Transcript
    • Under the “Subtitles/CC” section click on “Add new subtitle or CC”  and upload your file as a .txt document.
    • Uploading a word document will only show special characters\
    • Using the “transcribe and sync” option, a transcript that is typed and reviewed in MS Word can be copied and pasted into the text box, then YouTube will set the timings. (fastest option)
  • Uploading an srt.
    • Under the “Subtitles/CC” section click on “Add new subtitle or CC”  and upload your file as a subtitle file.
    • Srt will load
  • Editing/Autotext
    • After transcribing or uploading a .txt/.srt file, watch the video and edit as you go.
    • If you choose not to upload a file or transcribe the video, Youtube can automatically create automated caption based on the audio.
    • In the “Subtitles/CC” section in the creator studio simply click on “English(automated)” to begin editing the automated captions.
    • Automated captions must be spell checked and punctuation must be added.

 

Time comparisons

Source video: Searching for the meaning of life with Victor Frankl

Video length- 00:03:52

Program

Transcribe and Edit
 (in mins.)

MS Word

30*

Movie Caption

90

Amara

50

Youtube

45/30**

 

*This is just a straight transcription, MS Word does not include time settings and/or caption splitting.

**Actual transcription time with editing/Correction of auto-text only, not transcription.

 

Conclusion:

  • Preference for editing captions: Youtube > Movie Captioner > Amara
    • Reason:
      • YouTube’s keyboard commands are the most user friendly of the three.
      • Movie captioner has more keyboard commands than Amara.
  • Preference for transcribing videos: Youtube > Amara > Movie Captioner
    • Reason:
      • Youtube will automatically pause while typing and it will play when typing has stopped, timings are then set for you.
      • Amara will allows easy editing while transcribing, Movie Captioner does not.
  • Preference for viewing finished video: Movie Captioner > Youtube > Amara
    • Reason:
      • Movie Captioner displays longer captions in under the video not in front of the video.
      • Youtube and Amara both display captions in front of the video but Youtube allows longer captions in a smaller font.
  • Preference for uploading Transcripts: Youtube> Movie captioner > Amara
    • Reason: 
      • YouTube and Movie Captioner will automatically split a transcript into small captions.
      • Amara will usually upload all the text into one or several very large caption boxes.
  • Preference for uploading .srt: None, all three programs perform similarly with .srt’s.

Recommendations:

 

  • The layout of Movie Captioner is very old, if an updated version can be found it may fix some issues.
  • A mouse would facilitate editing on a laptop because of Movie Captioner’s and Amara’s poor key commands.
  • Tutorials of Movie Captioner online feature the Mac version so some information may differ.
  • Tutorials provided by amara contain only very basic information, not very useful.
  • Word Transcriptions: For more efficient transcripts
    • Must include all speakers, if there is more than one
    • Avoid paragraphs and add line breaks after each sentence.