Forum: Subtitling
Topic: Are free subtitling softwares enough to match most client's needs?
Poster: Michel Virasolvy
Post title: Yes, they are in most cases
I've been in the subtitling industry for well over a decade now and I lead a couple of translation teams for a good 7 years to process subtitling and close-captioning jobs intended for DVD releases, cinema distribution, VOD and (sic) Youtube channels. As far as I know only 2 clients demanded a delivery in a format that was proprietary to a particular subtitling software—now defunct. I took a peek at Ayato 3, EZTitles and Wincaps Q4 among various subtitling softwares. I'll be honest, in my opinion, these do not justify a 3k€ investment at all. At my translation school, there even is a little club operating exactly like an agency for various clients and their main subtitling software is Aegisub.
A professional subtitler is not defined by their software. Learn and master the standards (which I assume you already know, but it's an absolute need for the reader who still hasn't), make yourself a proper portfolio of your previous clients and off you go contacting new clients while training on Subtitle Edit, Aegisub or any of these free sofwares that can cover the vast majority of your needs. You might indeed buy one or two of these proprietary softwares to handle the (insanely) rare "I only accept delivery in CAP format with sidecar files" client but you really don't have to. If you feel the need to reassure your clients about your skills, take the time to get a certified translation degree, it's much more reassuring than that "don't worry, I have a car therefore I can drive!" bias. Now, Global Titling System is an in-house subtitling software so you may have difficulties to find a real copy unless someone from SDI Media decides to sell you their license.
[quote]José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
[quote]jonathannpereda wrote:
1) Is there a software (free or not) that could help me to speed up my work?[/quote]
There is PLENTY of excellent freeware around for subtitling.
However the hidden cost of subtitling is skimpy guidance, no tech support, in other words, you must know what you are doing.
Also, it's not a matter of speeding up your work, but making it possible for you to accomplish some level of quality.
Quite frankly, this depends more on you than the software you use.[/quote]
(source)
[Modifié le 2019-10-16 10:40 GMT]
Topic: Are free subtitling softwares enough to match most client's needs?
Poster: Michel Virasolvy
Post title: Yes, they are in most cases
I've been in the subtitling industry for well over a decade now and I lead a couple of translation teams for a good 7 years to process subtitling and close-captioning jobs intended for DVD releases, cinema distribution, VOD and (sic) Youtube channels. As far as I know only 2 clients demanded a delivery in a format that was proprietary to a particular subtitling software—now defunct. I took a peek at Ayato 3, EZTitles and Wincaps Q4 among various subtitling softwares. I'll be honest, in my opinion, these do not justify a 3k€ investment at all. At my translation school, there even is a little club operating exactly like an agency for various clients and their main subtitling software is Aegisub.
A professional subtitler is not defined by their software. Learn and master the standards (which I assume you already know, but it's an absolute need for the reader who still hasn't), make yourself a proper portfolio of your previous clients and off you go contacting new clients while training on Subtitle Edit, Aegisub or any of these free sofwares that can cover the vast majority of your needs. You might indeed buy one or two of these proprietary softwares to handle the (insanely) rare "I only accept delivery in CAP format with sidecar files" client but you really don't have to. If you feel the need to reassure your clients about your skills, take the time to get a certified translation degree, it's much more reassuring than that "don't worry, I have a car therefore I can drive!" bias. Now, Global Titling System is an in-house subtitling software so you may have difficulties to find a real copy unless someone from SDI Media decides to sell you their license.
[quote]José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:
[quote]jonathannpereda wrote:
1) Is there a software (free or not) that could help me to speed up my work?[/quote]
There is PLENTY of excellent freeware around for subtitling.
However the hidden cost of subtitling is skimpy guidance, no tech support, in other words, you must know what you are doing.
Also, it's not a matter of speeding up your work, but making it possible for you to accomplish some level of quality.
Quite frankly, this depends more on you than the software you use.[/quote]
(source)
[Modifié le 2019-10-16 10:40 GMT]