Working with SRT Caption Files

When editing captions in MacVideo, users may run into some issues or errors. MacVideo’s player is sensitive to the formatting of SRT files so it will be important to ensure the details in edits follow the proper formatting. If you are editing SRT files outside of the MacVideo caption editor and not using another dedicated editor, you can use a simple word editor to make edits. Just make sure to save the file as a .SRT at the end.

Continue reading below to view detailed information on SRT file formatting and common issues that may occur while making edits.

SRT, or SubRip Text, are basic text files with a syntax that looks like the following:

1
00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,000
First line of first subtitle.
Second line of first subtitle.

2
00:00:07,000 –> 00:00:10,000
Second subtitle. Single line.

Or

<Subtitle#>
<Start time> –> <End time>
<Text>

Timing is formatted this way: Hours:Minutes:Seconds,Milliseconds
Hours, minutes, and seconds are always written as two characters (07! not 7).
Milliseconds  are always written as three characters.

Most standalone players, such as VLC and MPC-HC, have no issues parsing SRTs with syntax errors.

MacVideo’s players are a bit more sensitive. When encountering any error, the entire caption file might not show.

Common Errors

Missing/wrong numbering of subtitles within the SRT file:

1
00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,000
First line of first subtitle.
Second line of first subtitle.

00:00:07,000 –> 00:00:10,000
Second subtitle. Single line.

Note the missing “2”.
“Wrong number” would be if it says 5 (instead of going in an ascending numbers; 1… 2… 3…).

Missing spaces within the timing

1
00:00:00,000–>00:00:05,000
First line of first subtitle.
Second line of first subtitle.

Note the missing spaces around the “–>”.

Spaces between timing line and subtitle text

1
00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,000

First line of first subtitle.
Second line of first subtitle.

Different timing format

1
00:00:00.000 –> 00:00:05.000
First line of first subtitle.
Second line of first subtitle.

Note the dot instead of the comma before the milliseconds.

Basic debugging of subtitles involves using subtitle editors such as:

These editors usually automatically fix or alert of subtitle syntax errors.

To save SRT files in Aegisub, go to File->Export Subtitles. A simple CTRL+S won’t work (Aegisub’s default format is ASS, which the Kaltura players do not support).

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