YouTube launches CaptionTube: A caption editor

YouTube on Thursday released a new Web-based application called CaptionTube that lets users add text captions to their videos.

The video service has had support for captioning in its videos since August of last year, but until now, you've been stuck having to do it with time codes and captions uploaded as a separate .sub file. This new system, which will be a part of YouTube's TestTube labs section, lets you add captions right in your browser using a time line-based system that looks and feels like a video editor.

The tool lets you grab one of your videos from your YouTube upload section or from its public-interface URL. You can then start adding captions in a similar fashion to YouTube's on-screen annotation editor, selecting how long you want each caption to appear by picking specific beginning and end points. You can also create and edit multiple languages of captions at the same time, which show up as separate tracks in the time line.

CaptionTube lets you add captions to your videos right inside of your browser.

(Credit: Screenshot by Josh Lowensohn/CNET)

What's really interesting here is that when you're done adding subtitles, you can export your work out of the editor to use elsewhere. It exports your captions as a .sub file that can be worked on in a separate text editor or sent out with the source video to be viewed locally with the captions in something like the VLC player.

More importantly, this could signal that YouTube is indeed at work on a Web-based video editor that would let users edit their clips in the browser instead of relying on third-party software. The company has long encouraged users to simply edit their videos before uploading, but between this new editor and the service's AudioSwap feature, the one thing that's missing is the option to make cuts and rearrange what's already been uploaded.

Videos on how to use the tool are embedded after the jump.

[shootthecops]

.sub format? as in the pre-existing .sub format?

wonder why they didnt go with .srt :S

[Josh.Lowensohn]

They are competing formats, but there are a bunch of utilities out there that can convert 'em for you. Here's a Google search on it: http://digg.com/u11B6B

Apparently VLC reads them both just fine.

[digitalhecht]

Doesn't work for me in IE7. Once I choose videos to import and get to the Edit stage, neither the Preview, Edit nor Delete buttons respond.

[Josh.Lowensohn]

That's odd. I couldn't get it to open up my list of videos--I could only add them through URL, so I think it's aptly been put in YouTube's TestTube area.

[hetzbh]

Come on, just a bit more please?
I can write the text, which is great, but moving the text itself is a PITA. Could the developers add a simple frame to the text in edit mode so it can be moved with the mouse please?
Also, why downloading and then uploading? it's great if you want to do some editing outside, but could youtube let the app upload the .sub file if the video is owned by the translator?

Overall: Very impressive!

[RileyHumboldt]

Very nice!
I look forward to assisting faculty with their instructional materials hosted on YouTube. Adding caption will help with universal accessibility.
Thanks,
Riley
... education as guided self discovery

[Inspector508]

We're also committed to usability and accessibility. What other approaches are you taking?

T.M, University of New Mexico