Gone are the days when you had to write subtitles word by word for a video. Now auto-generated subtitles created by AI have made their way into the video editing market.
Blackmagic Design has innovated its DaVinci Resolve software with subtitles made by AI, and it’s seamless. With just a few clicks, a subtitle track is curated, and you’re ready to render.
Below is a guide for how to create and customize auto-generated subtitles along with solutions for a couple of common issues.
Understanding Auto-Generated Subtitles in DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5
Before getting into how to create subtitles, there are a few important concepts you should know.
Are They Subtitles or Captions?
The definitions ofsubtitles and captions are completely different. Subtitles only contain the words that are being spoken in the video. Captions encompass everything within a video—spoken words, music, actions taken by the characters, and much more.
Screenshot by Sam Wolfe; no attribution
DaVinci Resolve’s auto feature is for subtitles—meaning the AI should only pick up on the words that are being said. Though, sometimes it does notice if there’s a noise in the background and adds it to the subtitles. However, if you want to turn them into proper captions, you’re able to edit the subtitles when you customize them.
Is It Free?
DaVinci Resolve has numerous features that are free to use. However, auto-generated subtitles are not one of them.
Screenshot by Sam Wolfe; no attributionScreen from Blackmagic Design websitehttps://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products
To take advantage of the AI feature, you’ll have to have DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5. As of August 2023, the cost is $295, but the software comes with a lot more for only a one-time payment.
Does It Support Multiple Languages?
SinceDaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5 came out of beta, a bunch of languages have been added to the auto subtitles feature. You have the option to use English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Korean, and several more.
In the instructions below you’ll learn at what step you can pick your preferred subtitle language.
Creating Auto Subtitles on the Cut Page
DaVinci Resolve’sCutpageis not as commonly used as theEditpage—however, as a video editor, there are several ways to take advantage of the Cut page. Adding auto subtitles is one of them.
To begin, make sure you have your audio clips added to your timeline. You don’t have to individually click on them, though—the AI will know to add subtitles to the whole timeline.
Left of the upper timeline, you’ll see three icons. Select the middle icon and tapCreate Subtitles From Audio.
An options box will appear. Here is where you’ll be able to see all the different languages auto subtitles supports. you’re able to also determine the caption preset, the maximum number of characters per line, how many lines, and the frame gap between subtitles. You can either leave the presets or play around to see what you like for your video. SelectCreatewhen done.
DaVinci Resolve will analyze your text, open a subtitles track, and place the subtitles in the appropriate place in the timeline when done. And that’s it.
Creating Auto Subtitles on the Edit Page
DaVinci Resolve’sEditpageis where you’ll do a great deal of your work. It’s also the other page you’re able to use to add auto subtitles.
After your clips are placed on the timeline, go to the uppermost toolbar. SelectTimeline>Create Subtitles From Audio. From here, the subtitle menu is identical to the one on the Cut page. Select your preferred options and clickCreate.
Customizing Your Subtitles
Customizing your subtitles can consist of everything from changing the font and color to editing the text that the AI produced. To make any adjustments on both the Cut and Edit pages, open theInspectortab in the upper right-hand corner.
UnderCaption, you’ll see all the created subtitles. It is encouraged that you read through them while listening to the video just in case there are any mistakes. If you need to change anything, click on the subtitle, and at the top of the Inspector tab, you’ll see a text box you can type in.
If you want to change the look of the subtitles, you’ll need to selectCustomizeCaptionunder the text box. If you want to change the look of multiple subtitle clips, in the timeline make sure all the clips are selected, checkCustomize Captions, and any changes made will affect all the subtitle clips.
If you find you need to change any of the subtitle settings, select theTracktab, scroll down toSubtitles Settings, de-selectUse Project Settings, and make your changes.
Things to Be Aware Of
Like any other form of technology, sometimes there can be mishaps. Below are the most common issues that you may run into when handling DaVinci Resolve’s auto subtitles and what you need to do to fix them.
Overwriting Subtitles
Let’s say you’ve made any changes to the subtitles, whether editing the words or changing the subtitle’s location on the track, but you’ve also added more video clips that need subtitles. If you go back toCreate Subtitles From Audio, the AI will overwrite the changes you made with the newly created subtitles.
The Solution
To get around this issue, you can lock the subtitle track. On the left of the subtitle track, you’ll see a lock icon—click it. After that, go toCreate Subtitles From Audioagain.
A new subtitle track will be created. You’ll be able to go back and forth between the two tracks and pull in the needed subtitles to the first track. Edit until you’re satisfied with the result and disable the subtitle track you don’t plan to use by clicking on the subtitle track icon.
Handling Multiple Tracks With Audio
If you have multiple tracks of audio throughout your video, and you want all of them to have subtitles, that’s not a problem. The AI will be able to pick up on all of them and give you the subtitles.
However, what if you have some audio within the video that you don’t want subtitles for?
The solution is only a click of a button. Simply mute the track you don’t want subtitles for—it’s an icon with the letterMon it. If the audio is on a track that has other audio that you’ll need subtitles for, just move the first audio to its own audio track and mute it.
Exporting Auto-Generated Subtitles
There are a couple of options when exporting subtitles. You can save them separately and upload them later. You can also save them burned into the video. Below explains how to render subtitles both ways.
Subtitles Only
If you only want the subtitles to be exported, simply right-click on the subtitle track and choose&ExportSubtitle. From there, name your subtitle and choose your file type. If you plan to upload the subtitles to YouTube later,Subtitle Files Without Formatting (*.srt)works great. ClickSaveand you have your subtitle file.
Subtitles and Video
If you want your subtitles in your rendered video, navigate to theDeliverpage. On the left-hand side, scroll all the way down until you seeSubtitle Settings. Open the tab and check the box next toExport Subtitle.
UnderFormat, make sure to haveBurn into Videoselected. Alter any of the rendering options you want for the video, selectAdd to Render Queue, and export your video.
Try Using Auto-Generated Subtitles on DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5
Though you do have to pay for DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5, you’ll have the ability to use so many new features, some of which are AI, like the auto-generated subtitles. Using the feature will allow you to make your videos more inclusive and reach more people to watch your videos.
Whenever you have the chance to download DaVinci Resolve Studio to your device, give auto-generated subtitles a try. You won’t believe how easy and accurate it really is.
