Captions 101

Captions: 

There are several different choices you have when it comes to captions. Here, we will describe the pros and cons of each.

Custom Captions (SRT File):

Overview: Captions can also be uploaded from an SRT file, which can be approved and uploaded. These captions will appear exactly the same in style to auto-generated captions.

Pros:

1. Easy to change
2. Always readable
3. Captions are used by Google for SEO
4. Included in LimeLite Subscription
5. Transcribed/written/proofed by skilled writers
6. Complete approval control of captions
7. SRT files can be used on any platform

Cons:

1. Not customizable for (Font, Color, Size)

Burned-in Captions:

Overview: Burned-in captions are embedded in the exported video. This option can not be removed or edited without removing the entire video.

Pros:

1. Customizable (Color, size, font)
2. Included in LimeLite Subscription
3. Complete approval control of captions

Cons:

1. Must be changed and a new video version must be created for every variation
2. Not versatile between platform constraints
3. May conflict with auto-generated captions (See Thumbnail Below)

   

4. Not indexable by search engines (Google Yahoo, etc) to optimize your video’s SEO

Auto-Generated Captions:

Overview: Most platforms will auto-generate captions if you don’t have custom captions. These will always look the same and include a semi-opaque box that surrounds the text.

Pros: 

1. Consistent
2. Always readable
3. No extra effort required

Cons: 

1. High risk of typos and grammatical errors
2. Not customizable for (Font, Color, Size)
3. Does not include stage directions or SFX descriptions
4. Created without approval process and is not 100% accurate