As of September 2023, Sub Timings Beautifier has been integrated into Subtitle Edit (version 4.0.0). It has been rewritten from scratch, and is even more configurable than before. You can now easily follow Netflix' timing guidelines, for example. See this page for an overview.
This tool automatically aligns the timings (or "cues") of subtitles in subtitle files (e.g. SubRip/.srt) to the exact frame times. It also automatically snaps cues to nearby shot cuts (or "scene changes") for a spot-on sync, and makes the gaps (or "intervals") between subtitles consistent, resulting in a more uniform rhythm in the "flashing" of subtitles. This will sophisticate the overall subtitle and provide a better viewing experience.
I created this tool because the most common freeware subtitle files (such as SubRip) and most freeware subtitle editing tools (such as Subtitle Edit or Subtitle Workshop) are based on milliseconds, whereas videos are based on frames. Some software can be configured to show frames, but it's not always that accurate. When I create subtitles, I often had subtitles going 1 frame over a shot cut due to rounding. This makes sure everything is spot-on.
I realize this tool is quite niche, but I really like the resulting subtitles. I use this tool as a final step for all my subtitles.
- Align all cues to the exact frame times, based on the video
- Detect shot cuts and automatically snap cues for a spot-on sync
- Make gaps consistent
- Several adjustment options, taking shot cuts into account
- Automatically extend all subtitles, taking shot cuts and gaps into account
- Fully configurable
The latest version of Sub Timings Beautifier, 1.2.6.0 (dd February 28, 2019), can be downloaded from the "Releases" tab: https://github.com/Flitskikker/SubTimingsBeautifier/releases
Installation is not required. You do, however, need to place the FFmpeg and FFprobe binaries in the same directory as SubTimingsBeautifier.exe, as Sub Timings Beautifier uses it for extracting timecodes and detecting shot cuts. You can download these from here: https://ffmpeg.zeranoe.com/builds/
Obviously, a versatile tool like this requires some explanation. For instructions and examples for each function, please visit the wiki: https://github.com/Flitskikker/SubTimingsBeautifier/wiki
The following features are on my mind to be considered for future releases:
- Add support for other subtitle formats
- Add an option to apply minimum subtitle duration, but taking shot cuts into account
- Add profiles to save settings and values
- Add an option to extend subtitles for a desired CPS, but taking shot cuts into account
- Maybe add the possibility to only snap to scene changes and ignore frame timecodes (but it would undo the purpose of the tool)
Sub Timings Beautifier was developed using Visual Studio 2017 Community Edition without any special dependencies. It should compile and build straightaway.
Licensed under GPL v3.
Contains code portions from Subtitle Edit by nikse, licensed under GPL v3.