Bulk Subtitle Import - new 2021 (15) text workflow

[Timmetjie]

Loving the new text / captions workflow, but....

I have 1000 subtitles and need to place them on a timeline to generate timings, and to export an .srt file.  But I'm in a catch-22 - it seems the new workflow will import an .srt, but not a .txt file.  

Does this mean I have to manually copy and paste each individual line title?  

Or is there perhaps a 'bulk import' function that will assign a random duration (say 1 second or whatever) to each title, which I could then finesse on the timeline.  Or any other way of bringning in text in bulk?

Sure would save me a tonne of time if there was!

Thanks

Tim

[title edited by mod]

[Stan Jones]

Right, not supported (yet). It would be a feature request.

I would use the free Subtitle Edit: https://www.nikse.dk/subtitleedit

It has an "Import plain text..." option with a lot of choices for how it sets up the caption timings. It will auto-split/combine lines, use a max characters function, set durations automatically or to your set time, set a standard gap, etc. Then  you can export srt and bring that into PR.

Or you can add your video to SE and make your first adjustments there.

Stan

[Timmetjie]

Thank you Stan.  I tried Andreas' solution first and wit works perfectly, so I won't get around to testing yours, but the input if hugely appreciated!

[Timmetjie]

Hey Stan

So I'm halfway through manually subtitling my feature film, when Adobe suddenly grants my request to use the Auto transcription feature!  I'm uploading my audio track as we speak.  Holding thumbs it works.

But I see there's a checkbox labelled "merge output with existing transcription".  Wich sounds useful, seeing as I already have an existing .srt dialogue list with aproximate timings.

But I can't seem to find any info on what it does, or how to use it. If could I get Premiere Pro to automatically finesse the timings, using my approved dialogue lines, that would be really amazing. 

I don't suppose you know about this feature?

Thanks

Tim

[Stan Jones]

@Trent Happel Can you provide us with some input on Timmetjie's question about the "merge output with existing transcription"?  I have not played with that yet.

Timmetjie, transcription is still beta, so this thread might get moved there. It won't affect the thread, just which forum it is in.

Stan

[Trent Happel]

This is for when you want to re-transcribe a section (In/Out range) of your Sequence. When you go to Create Transcript, if you select "Transcribe in point to out point only" then "Merge output with existing transcription" will be enabled. This option will then merge/replace only the In/Out range of what you re-transcribed into the existing transcription in the Transcript tab.

[Timmetjie]

Aah, right, that makes sense!  

Thanks Trent, and thanks Stan for putting us in touch.

best

Tim

[Andreas Kiel · Accepted solution]

If you're on Mac OS you can use my little free "Untimed Caption Tool". It does convert .txt, .rtf, .doc and .docx text only files to either srt, vtt, Avid DS or FCP caption. The app also allows some text pre-formatting if needed.

You'll get it here:http://www.spherico.com/filmtools/Utilities/CaptionsAndText/UCT/index.html

A rough manual is included but can be downloaded individually here.

[Timmetjie]

Thank you Andreas.  Your UCT works a treat, fast & simple!

I had actually figured an elaborate workaround... cutting and pasting using excel to generate timecode, then into word to fix formatting and into txt editor to make the srt.  But your tool is way better!

Thanks

Tim

[Andreas Kiel]

Tim,

Glad to hear it works for you. Good luck with your project!

Andreas

[Timmetjie]

Hey Andreas

So I'm halfway through subtitling my feature film, when Adobe suddenly grants my request to use the Auto transcription feature.  Am uploading as we speak.

But I see there's a checkbox labelled "merge output with existing transcription".  SOund useful seeing as I already have an existing .srt dialogue list with aproximate timings thanks to your app.

But I can't seem to find any info on what it does, or how to use it. If could I get Premiere Pro to automatically finesse the timings, using my approved dialogue lines, that would be really amazing. 

I don't suppose you know about this feature?

Thanks

Tim

[Michael Grenadier]

fwiw, I've been using Andreas' tools (which I paid for) for over 10 years and they've saved my life (or at least my professional life) a few times and whenever I've had any issues, he's been extremely helpful and in a timely fashion.  

[Timmetjie]

Good to hear, thanks mgrenadier!

T