I sometimes need to make the content in a video available in other languages. Or the content is in a different language than what my customer use. Because dubbing is not used for anything else than programs for kids in Norway, I need to subtitle the program. None of the editing systems I know have subtitling built in. They all have some kind of character generator, but to do anything more than a few seconds of subtitling in this is just a waste of time and money.
Unfortunately, subtitling software cost a lot and is usually operated by a specialist. But that all changes with Belle Nuit Subtitler . This program, costing USD 120 for one license, can be used for making subtitles that you edit onto your video in most major editing systems, or you can include it on your DVD. If you add it to your DVD, the viewer can choose to see the subtitles or not. And choose what language to see if there are multiple translations available.
Using the software is pretty straight forward. I am a little disappointed that entering the text first and do the spotting afterwords does not work very well. But according to Matthias Buercher, the intended workflow is to do the spotting one by one, entering the titles either by copying from an open text document or by translating directly. And this workflow works very well.
During the spotting, the keyboard can be used for most of the important things and the most used shortcuts are similar to Avids editing systems. This means using JKL to play the video, I and O or E and R to mark in and out. Pressing Q and W bring the cursor to the in and out point and ESC switches between the video player and the text area.
The style of the text is adjusted in the top of the main window. Font, border, shadow, box behind text and placement in the frame can be adjusted there. I think the quality of the text Belle Nuit Subtitler output is excellent. And getting it into the Avid editing system was very easy.
First I exported the titles by selecting all in the text area and the choose File>Export . The titles are then exported as TIFF with alpha. The timing of the titles are exported as a CMX 3600 EDL and both titles and the EDL are then imported into the Avid system.
The program has a built in function called the Avid helper that essentially is a small macro the replace the Offline Media in the timeline with the correct subtitles. Or you can do it manually.
I have not had the chance yet to try adding titles to a DVD, but will get back here with some comments after I have tried it.
I can really recommend Belle Nuit Subtitler to anyone looking for a cheap and easy way to get prefessionally looking subtitles on video or DVD.
