Subtitles and Caption Subtitles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum recommended number of characters per subtitle line for broadcast TV in the US?
- 42 characters (Correct answer)
- 32 characters
- 56 characters
- 20 characters
Correct answer: 42 characters
US broadcast standards generally recommend a maximum of 42 characters per line to ensure readability on standard TV screens.
Question 2: Which subtitle format stores timing in HH:MM:SS,mmm format and uses '-->' as a time separator?
- SRT (SubRip Text) (Correct answer)
- VTT (WebVTT)
- ASS (Advanced SubStation Alpha)
- TTML (Timed Text Markup Language)
Correct answer: SRT (SubRip Text)
SRT files use the HH:MM:SS,mmm --> HH:MM:SS,mmm format with a comma as the millisecond separator.
Question 3: When subtitling a foreign-language film, what term describes subtitles that appear in the same language as the audio?
- SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
- Intralingual subtitles (Correct answer)
- Interlingual subtitles
- Forced subtitles
Correct answer: Intralingual subtitles
Intralingual subtitles are in the same language as the spoken audio, such as English subtitles for English dialogue.
Question 4: What is the purpose of 'forced subtitles' in a film?
- To display only when foreign-language dialogue or on-screen text appears that viewers need to understand the plot (Correct answer)
- To force all viewers to read subtitles regardless of audio track
- To replace closed captions entirely
- To display subtitles at a faster reading speed
Correct answer: To display only when foreign-language dialogue or on-screen text appears that viewers need to understand the plot
Forced subtitles appear only for foreign-language inserts or critical on-screen text, even when the viewer's audio language matches the main track.
Question 5: In the WebVTT format, what keyword begins every subtitle file?
- WEBVTT (Correct answer)
- BEGIN VTT
- SUBTITLE START
- VTT HEADER
Correct answer: WEBVTT
Every WebVTT file must begin with the string 'WEBVTT' on the first line, optionally followed by a space and header text.
Question 6: What does 'subtitle burn-in' (also called 'open subtitles') mean?
- Subtitles permanently embedded into the video image and cannot be turned off (Correct answer)
- Subtitles that fade in and out with a burn transition
- Subtitles stored in a separate sidecar file
- Subtitles that glow to improve contrast on bright backgrounds
Correct answer: Subtitles permanently embedded into the video image and cannot be turned off
Burned-in or open subtitles are rendered directly onto the video frames and are always visible, unlike closed subtitles that can be toggled.
Question 7: When a subtitle overlaps a critical sound effect description in SDH, what is the recommended practice?
- Prioritize dialogue over sound effect descriptions and shorten or omit non-essential sound cues (Correct answer)
- Always show both the dialogue and sound effect in full on separate lines
- Replace dialogue with the sound effect description
- Insert a blank subtitle cue between them
Correct answer: Prioritize dialogue over sound effect descriptions and shorten or omit non-essential sound cues
When space is limited, dialogue takes priority and non-essential sound descriptions should be condensed or omitted to avoid screen clutter.
Subtitles and Caption Subtitles 2
What is the maximum recommended number of characters per subtitle line for broadcast TV in the US?