Below is a step by step instruction to accomplish a task in Avid’s Media Composer.
It is NOT a scientific explanation, it might not make sense to advanced users, but at least will allow those in need of help to accomplish the specified task.
The good thing about Media Composer is that you can reach the same results in different ways.
The bad thing about Media Comopser is that you can reach the same results in different ways.
This is just ONE way which has worked for me.
Hope it helps you!
Bert
SUBTITLES
HOW TO DO IT
AFTER the complete video production has been edited and saved, make the translation to prepare
the subtitles text by using “Notepad” because we need an unformatted “.txt” file. You could
dictate the translation to a portable digital audio recorder, then type it.
NOTE: “Notepad” is available in The Monster, on the Taskbar at the bottom of the monitor.
You can do all the typing and save the document on your Desktop there.
Type the subtitles and format them (break them down) as needed while typing them. Hit return to
go to a new line, to a new paragraph, create a complete new subtitle for each sentence on the
soundtrack, etc.
Save the work. (I did it to the Desktop of The Monster.)
Print those subtitles
Go to the editor and playback the video. Stop where I want a specific subtitle to start, read the
TimeCode above the timeline. If needed, expand the view of the Timeline so you can see as many
time code numbers as possible, so the start and end of each subtitle would be very precise. Stop
the playback and write down the timecode for the end of the given subtitle.
Above each new line of the printed subtitles, enter the beginning and end time code.
The following format MUST be followed exactly when entering the beginning and end time
codes:
@ This file written with the Avid Caption plugin, version 1
<begin subtitles>
01:00:05:00 01:00:10:00
the red LED counter on the inside voting machine shows how many cards have been
01:00:10:00 01:00:16:00
inserted and are stored in the bins of the Machine the bins can fit up to 1,000
01:04:28:00 01:04:29:00
ballots thank you
01:04:29:00 01:04:33:00
if you repeat the transfer call the election center and start over
<end subtitles>
Make sure you have the @ line at the top, hit two returns line between <begin subtitles> and first
block, then 3 returns between each block of text, and 2 returns between last block and <end
subtitles>. Timecode should also match sequence timecode.
NOTE that the beginning and last time code of each subtitles is written with only one space
between them.
Go back to the Notepad where the original file was saved, open it and now enter the beginning
and end timecode for each subtitle.
Check for misspelled words. They would look awful on the video.
Launch Avid and open the specific project.
Duplicate the sequence and name it SUBTITLES, and click on it so it is the one on the monitor!
(Check for the correct name being displayed on the upper right hand side of the monitor.)
Add a new video track
Go to Effects > Generator.
Drag and drop SubCap onto the newly created video track.
Open the Effects Mode (Effects Editor)
Immediately look at the playback screen, grab the purple dot on the left hand side of the screen
and move it to wherever you want the subtitles to appear on the screen. Place that dot at the
exact position where you want the subtitles to start displaying.
In the window that opened when you click on the Effects Editor, select the color for the text.
(usually yellow)
Directly below the name of the font (Arial) click on the “sophisticated” slider (it does not look
like one, but it is,) it turns blue. Slide to the right and the size of the font increases. Set it at 65
pixels.
Click on the “No Outline,” and select “Basic Outline” leve the color for it, as black.
Click on “Left Align” and select “Center Align.”
Under “Box Appearance, move the slider to 70.
Click on “Fixed Width (Wrap) and select “Each Row as Wide as Needed.”
Go back up in that window and click on “Import Caption Data.” (look down in that window and
make sure the drop down window shows “.txt” Travel to the Desktop and the name of your file
should appear. Click on it and hit Open.
All subtitles will appear on the proper video track at the proper timecode position.
