A lot of photographers are constantly creating reels and videos to connect with their audiences. I haven't done so because I find it difficult to include subtitles. Making them sync is a pain, and I've found that the software available is either too expensive or too much of a hassle to use.
Despite their usefulness, subtitles can be a real headache for video creators. Trying to achieve that perfect sync with the spoken dialogue, making sure they are easily readable without covering essential visuals in your video – all of these adjustments are very time-consuming. The worst part is that once you add your subtitles, there’s no way back.
But what if there was a way to edit SRT files any time you want? Using an online subtitle editor, you can upload your own SRT files and make any necessary adjustments on the spot, customize them to match your video’s style, or even translate them to reach more diverse audiences.
If that sounds like a game-changing feature to you, keep on reading to find out all you need to know about editing subtitles with an SRT editor.
But wait, what is an SRT file?
Since you’re here reading this article, chances are you’re already aware of what an SRT file is. But just in case you don’t know exactly what you’re dealing with, an SRT (or SubRip Subtitle) file is a type of subtitle file format – in fact, one of the most popular subtitle formats for video content.
SRTs are plain text files that include the subtitle text in sequence, as well as start and end timecodes that should ideally match your video’s audio.
Why should you edit subtitles online?
No matter if your subtitles are manually created or automatically generated, chances are they are not 100% perfect. A typo, mistranslation, or a slight desynchronization are small imperfections that can have a huge impact on your audience’s experience with your video.
So, with that in mind, let’s have a look at what you can achieve by editing subtitles online:
No more errors
One of the major benefits of having a subtitle editor in your toolkit is that you can catch and fix errors in your subtitles before your video goes live. These mistakes can include typos, misspellings, or grammatical errors, which, if ignored, might lead to confusion or misunderstandings.
Perfect synchronization
Unfortunately, uploading an SRT file with timestamps doesn’t always guarantee that the subtitles will be in perfect sync with your audio. But worry not – you can use an SRT file editor like Flixier to improve the timing of your subtitles and avoid any delays or overlaps.
Endless customization
Subtitles can be more than words on a screen. By stylizing your text using ready-made presets, different fonts and text colors, backgrounds and borders or adjusting their position, you can make them stand out and create an appealing and immersive experience for your audience.
Multi-lingual video content for better reach
The beauty of using an AI-powered SRT editor like Flixier is that you can do more than just fix subtitle imperfections. You can also translate subtitles, thus opening the door for inclusive content that reaches a multilingual audience.
Use transitions between your clips
Using transitions between your clips is essential for creating smooth, professional videos that engage your audience. Transitions help maintain flow and continuity, making your video more enjoyable to watch. If you’re looking to enhance your video content even further, consider using a video to text converter like Submagic. It automatically generates accurate captions and subtitles, making your video more accessible and user-friendly.
How to edit SRT files like a pro with Flixier
Hopefully, now you understand why editing your subtitles online can do wonders for your video content. With plenty of customization options and the ability to quickly correct errors and timing, there’s really no excuse not to use an SRT editor to refine your subtitles.
Now let’s see how you can easily import and edit SRT online using Flixier:
1. Open Flixier
Start by opening Flixier in your browser. That’s right; you don’t need to download or install anything to use this subtitle editor. Flixier is entirely web-based, so you only need a browser and an internet connection to get started.
Speaking of starting, click on the Get Started button to navigate to the editing dashboard - where all the magic happens.
2. Upload your video
Import any video you want from your computer, a cloud storage space like Dropbox, through an external link, or even bring a video file over from your phone using a QR code. Don’t worry about compatibility; Flixier supports most video formats, so you’re free to upload a wide variety of video files.
3. Add your SRT file (subtitle)
From the left side menu, select Subtitles, and click on Upload Subtitle to import your SRT file.
Speaking of how to add subtitles to a video, you can also add subtitles manually OR save yourself a lot of time and effort by simply generating subtitles for your video automatically using Flixier’s AI feature. For automated subtitles, press Auto-Subtitle.
4. Fix any errors or delays
Once your subtitles are loaded onto the timeline, you can start making any changes you deem necessary. Preview your subtitles to reveal any errors or desynchronizations. To adjust the timing, simply select the subtitle object on the timeline and drag it to the right or left to match the pace of the audio.
5. Customize your subtitles
Now, the real fun begins. With your subtitles still selected, you’ll see the subtitle customization panel on the right side of the screen.
From here, you can choose a preset style for your captions, change their color, font, and size, and add special effects. Under the Subtitle tab, you’ll find even more subtitle effects, as well as a selection of animation options, to make your subtitles really stand out.
At any point, you can select the subtitle object on the screen and either pull on the edges or move the subtitles altogether to adjust their position.
6. Save your newly improved subtitles
Once you’re done, you can save your subtitles as a new SRT file, with or without timestamps. You can also take this chance to convert your subtitles to a new format if needed. To do this, go back to the Subtitle tab in the Subtitle customization panel and select your desired download option from the dropdown menu.
Ready, set… edit!
Editing subtitles can seem tedious, but it’s quite enjoyable once you realize all you can do with a powerful SRT editor like Flixier. From customizing your captions to catching errors before they go live, editing your subtitles online pays off in the end.
Now that you know how to fix all those pesky subtitle errors and customize your captions to fit any video and platform, it’s time to upload a new SRT file and make it flawless!