Nowadays, videos are considered highly important when it comes to reaching and connecting to a wider audience. In this, there is need to add more flexibility, and thinking of adding closed captioning and subtitles work as valuable assets. But are captions and subtitles different things?
The businesses who don’t know much, often consider both of them to be interchangeable. Many who don’t have enough experience in the video editing may not be aware of the difference between captions and subtitles. However, it is important to note they both are different and you’ll get to know better when you delve a little deeper.
Closed captions are much needed to enhance your content and make it more accessible to audiences. Meanwhile, subtitles are considered if you want to reach wider markets. Generally, people prefer to hire subtitling solutions but there is a need to know which approach is right for your video growth.
Understanding Closed Captioning
Captions are time-synchronized and they helps to provide an accurate representation of what’s being said in the video. This is said to be as specific as the tone used by the speaker. They’re often available and the viewer gets the option to enable it while watching the video.
When it is required to add captions to video content, audio is first transcribed. In this, you don’t only get the spoken words in the text form but also any additional audio effects. When everything in the audio is transcribed, it is then divided into so-called caption frames to make sure the captions go well the synchronize video.
Understanding Subtitling
Subtitles are known as the best way to make videos cross any language barrier and be available to a wider audience. Subtitles are highly effective and continue to be used today for this very purpose.
Subtitles have been introduced from the early days of motion pictures. Many people always know what is subtitling as it was the time when movies made the jump from the silent era to era of availability of the sound. This requires the need for subtitles to provide a better watching experience.
Closed captions vs subtitles: What’s The Difference?
The key difference between using closed captioning and subtitles is their ultimate purpose. Subtitles are generally used to make the video as valuable as possible to a wider audience. Meanwhile, closed captions can be used to enrich the user experience. Look at the following points to know more:
1- Accessibility
When you are concerned about the accessibility of the video, subtitles may fail to deliver it in the best way. This is because the subtitles can’t deliver the same extent of accessibility as closed captions. Closed captions are highly compatible and this increased accessibility makes them the first choice when making video available for people with hearing impairment.
2- Detail Explanation
To make sure the video is best described in the text format, subtitles fall short of closed captions. Closed captioning can cover every aspect of audio and even mention things such as background audio. Meanwhile, you won’t be able to describe every single thing in the subtitles.
3- Accuracy
When it is about providing the video in the particular language spoken, subtitles help in a much better way. With international programming, subtitles are the most popular viewing choices, as the general audience shows acceptance to watching videos relying on the subtitles.
4- Language Availability
Subtitles often have a slight edge over closed captions as they can be produced in many different languages, giving a piece of content global reach. With various types of subtitling, you can make the visual content available to a large audience of any language.
Closed Captions vs. Subtitles: Which One You Should Go For?
Deciding which one to use depends upon the matter of purpose. Both have their specific benefits and applications, the decision to get the one depends upon you. If you want to boost the accessibility of your videos, closed captioning is the best way to go.
If you are focusing on sharing videos across different domains and markets, subtitles will help to reach out to non-native speakers to understand your videos. Either way, adding subtitles or captions to your videos not just helps those who speak another language but also those who have difficulty hearing.
Conclusion
When the business is creating a video to leverage it to social media, it is important to add subtitles and captions to make the video break into new markets relatively easily. As the video gets optimized for the market, it becomes more appealing to the many viewers as possible. Closed captioning and subtitles are essential if you want to engage potential consumers.
If you need professionals to enhance your videos, contact us at VoxDubs at +91-8527599201 or grab an instant quote.