Captions and translation.
English captions show the words of an English presentation. Arabic subtitles give the same meaning in Arabic. Both appear on screen, but they serve different needs.
“Welcome to today’s lecture.”
Welcome to today’s lecture.
مرحبًا بكم في محاضرة اليوم.
At a live event, the text appears as the person speaks. With a recording, the subtitles are prepared first and timed to the video.
Accessibility captions can also name speakers and important sounds. A transcript alone doesn’t mean an event meets an accessibility standard. W3C’s explanation of live captions ↗
What should you check before an event?
Try the captions from an attendee’s seat, using the actual microphone and internet connection. Check these three things:
- The sound. Use a clear microphone or mixer feed. Test with someone speaking at the pace you expect on the day.
- The language. Decide whether people need the original words, a translation, or both. Check names and specialist terms during rehearsal.
- The view. Read the captions on a phone and, if you use one, from the back of the room on the shared screen.
At a Baian event, attendees scan a QR code and choose a language in their phone’s browser. The organiser connects the microphone or mixer to a laptop. Test that whole route before people arrive.
What if you already have a recording?
Prepare the subtitles from the finished recording, then check the text and timing before publishing. An SRT file stores those words and times separately from your video, so viewers can choose a subtitle language.
Baian Caption Tool creates these files from uploaded audio or video. You add the files to your editor or video platform.
Common questions.
What is live captioning?
Live captioning turns speech into text during an event, so people can read along while the speaker talks. A captioner or speech-recognition software produces the text.
Are live captions the same as translated subtitles?
Not necessarily. Captions can show the speaker’s own language. Translated subtitles show the meaning in another language. Baian can provide both.
Do attendees need to download an app?
No. At a Baian event, attendees scan a QR code or open a link, choose their language and follow in their phone’s browser.
Can I add subtitles to a recording instead?
Yes. Use Baian Caption Tool for a finished audio or video file. Upload it, choose your languages and download the SRT subtitle files.