1. Comment Boxes

On the top right:

• Translator Comments
  Sent to the proofreading/Linguistic QC to explain editorial decisions. The displayed comment is always for the subtitle in focus. Click in the Translator Comments' box to type in a comment.
  
  
  
• Spotting Annotations
  
  It contains the definitions or clarifications of words/terms in the original template.
  NOTE: This field is read-only.Back to Top

2. Media Player

Shows the current proxy (as shown in #1) and the waveform shows the audio of the Title (as shown in #2). The translated text appears on the media player as you type.
NOTE: There are many shortcuts to play and pause the video and move through the subtitle events.


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The left column is the Translation Timeline. It includes the events of text translated into the target language. In the below example, the translation language is Spanish (Castilian) – (as shown in #3).

The right column is the Spotting Timeline; the English Template. Shown as events of English text to be translated into the target language – (as shown in #4).


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3. Translation Timeline

• The Subtitle Event
  Every rectangular box in this column is a Subtitle event that includes the translated text that appears on the screen within a specified time range. The current event being translated is highlighted in a different color, as shown below.

Every subtitle event includes:

1. An event number is shown at the top left (as shown in #5).
2. A start time (as shown in #6) and an end time (as shown in #7) of the translations.
3. The duration of the subtitle event is shown between the start and the end time codes (as shown in #8)
4. A corresponding event in the Spotting/Template that has the original English text of the current translation.
   Every event has to be translated based on the text written in the corresponding English template event.

When a subtitle is in focus, the translated text is displayed on the video screen within the specified time range.

• Raised Subtitles
  If there is text in the lower part of the video which needs to be translated, the subtitles are placed on the top of the media player so as not to overlap with the on-screen text. In the below example, the on-screen text is “Los Angeles 1947”.
  
• Reading Speed
  The total number of characters in the subtitle event divided by its duration.
  In the below example, the reading speed is 16/3.13 = 5 cps (characters per second).
  
  
  As more characters are typed, the reading speed increases.
  The reading speed indicator’s color will change to orange when the recommended reading speed is reached.
  
  
  When too many characters are typed, the recommended maximum reading speed is exceeded and as a result, the indicator becomes ‘red.’  The aim is to maintain the reading speed indicator below the recommended reading speed (indicator is in green) to ensure the viewer has enough time to read the text contained in the subtitle.
  
• Character Count
  As you type, characters are counted so as not to exceed the maximum character limit (for your language) shown after ‘/’.
  
  
  If the limit is exceeded, the character count indicator will turn red. If you continue to type characters in one line without inserting a hard return, the line will word wrap, but it will still be counted as one line as seen below.
  

 

• Pass/Fail Status
  The indicator of whether the subtitle passed or failed verification.
  The subtitle has failed if:
  • Any subtitle event is empty – a translation was not added.
  • The character per line limit is exceeded.
  • If more than two lines of text are typed. Note the maximum number of lines for a subtitle is two. More than two lines are allowed, only to help review the translations, but have to be reduced to two in order for the subtitle event to ‘Pass.’

NOTE: If any event is in the ‘Fail’ state, the whole file cannot be submitted. In case there are ‘failed’ events in the submit phase, a popup will appear to list all the failed subtitles. A file cannot be submitted until all the errors are fixed.

• Italic/Underline Text Styling
  ‘Italic’ and ‘Underline’ text styling can be applied to the translated text, in the same manner as a word processor. The ‘Underline’ styling is added specifically for Chinese language jobs. Please do not use the underline function unless instructed to.
• Omitted Subtitle
  When the subtitle is redundant and does not need to be translated, the subtitle event can be omitted by clicking the ‘x’ on the top right of the subtitle event or by using the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Backspace (Cmd + Shift + Backspace).
  
  For example, “Los Angeles 1947” from the English template is the exact same text in Spanish, so it would not require translation and thus this event is omitted, as shown below. Please note that a translation does not need to be typed into an event that is omitted.
  
  NOTE: to restore the omitted subtitle, click on the ‘+’ on the top right of the subtitle event.
  
  
  
  
• Hide Spotting/Template
  For better and bigger viewing of the translated text, hide the Spotting/Template column, so the translation column will expand to cover a larger area.
  The subtitle text in the translation column will appear bigger.
  
  
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• Merge/ Unmerge Subtitles
  
  Click the ‘Merge with Previous’ button to merge the current subtitle with the previous one.
  You can also hit the shortcut ‘Ctrl + Up Arrow’ (or ‘Cmd + Up Arrow’ on Mac).
  
  

  For example, if you merge subtitle event #6 with #5, the following merged subtitle will show.
  The resulting merged subtitle will have both subtitle numbers on its top left. Its duration is the combined duration of the merged subtitles.
  
  The merged event corresponds to two events in the template. A blank card shows either before or after the merged subtitle.

  
  
  Similarly, click the ‘Merge with Next’ button to merge the current subtitle event with the next one. You can also hit the shortcut ‘Ctrl + Down Arrow’ (or ‘Cmd + Down Arrow’ on Mac).
  For a complete list of shortcuts, click here.
  
  
  
  To un-merge two subtitles, click the ‘Unmerge’ button. Make sure to place the cursor where you want the subtitles to be split. The un-merged subtitles return to their original timings in the template.
  NOTE: The ‘Unmerge’ button only appears in merged subtitles.
  
  
  
  
  The duration of merged subtitles must not exceed the maximum subtitle duration (usually 7 seconds). An error message shows when the duration of the resulting subtitle exceeds the set maximum.
  
  For example, when trying to merge subtitles #2 & #3, the following error appears, preventing their merge.
  
  
  
  
  
  Whereas when merging subtitles #4 & #5, their duration does not exceed the set maximum.
  The duration of the merged subtitles does not exceed the set maximum, as shown below.

  
  
  More than two subtitles can be merged as long as the resulting merged subtitle’s duration does not exceed the set maximum.
  NOTE: The merged text can show on separate lines, but can be rearranged to fit.
  
  
  
  When un-merging a subtitle, comprised of two or more subtitles, the one highlighted in the template is the one un-merged.
  
  For example, when un-merging, subtitle #6 will be split from subtitles #4 & #5 since it is the one in focus in the template.
  
  
  
  
  All KNPs in merged subtitles are shown together in the KNP box. 
  
  
  
  
  To expand the KNP Translation box to show more than two KNPs, hit the shortcut ‘Ctrl + Shift + L’ (or ‘Ctrl + Cmd + L’ on Mac).
  

  
  
  LINGUISTIC QC

  When the assignment is submitted, the Linguistic QC can add an ‘Unmerge Subtitle’ code.
  It is a recommendation for the translator to un-merge a subtitle.
  
  
  
  Similarly, Linguistic QC can recommend that subtitles are to be merged.
  NOTE: These two error codes are the only ones that do not require any changes to the subtitles from the Linguistic QC.
  
  
  
  The Linguistic QCer can state a reason for recommending merging or un-merging subtitles by double-clicking on the ‘Merge’ or ‘Unmerge’ error code.
  
  

  When approving the proofreader’s changes, you can see the comments added by the Linguistic QCer for recommending the merge or unmerge of a subtitle.
  
  
  

  Note that while approving/rejecting the proofreader’s changes, you will not be able to merge or unmerge subtitles. Instead, make a note of the subtitles you want to merge or unmerge. 

  Once all the Linguistic QC recommendations are accepted or rejected and you submit your assignment, you will be able to decide if you want to further edit your translation to merge or unmerge subtitles.

  If you choose ‘Enable Merge’ you will go back to the assignment once again and the merge or un-merge functionality will be available.

  If you choose ‘Submit’, you will deliver your assignment as is and will not be able to make any further edits.

  

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4. Template Changes

If the template is updated for any reason, you will see the below screen indicating that the changes are being applied to your translation job.
NOTE: When there are changes in the template text, the original is marked as deleted, the text is colored in red and struck through. A new subtitle is thus added and is colored in blue and underlined.

Types of Template Changes

1. Update to Template Text Format
   Updates to the formatting of the template text will be highlighted. For example, the original text was in italics, but was changed to regular font.
   Notice in the below, the original text is colored in red and struck through (as shown in #1); while the new/updated text is colored in blue and underlined (as shown in #2).  Above these is the final updated template text (as shown in #3).
   
2. Added Subtitle
   When the template text is edited, the original template subtitle will be marked as deleted and a new subtitle is added. Notice that the subtitle number (on the top left of the subtitle card) is colored in red.
   In the below example, the subtitle above #4 with the text “With the big rock” is modified to be “With the huge rock” and thus a new subtitle is added and the old one is marked as deleted.
   
3. Deleted Subtitle
   A subtitle has been deleted from the template, and it cannot be re-added. It may have been deleted completely or its content is updated, and a new subtitle is added instead.
   NOTE: All the text in this subtitle is in red strike-through and it does not have a number (it does not exist anymore.)
   Also, note that there is no “+” on the top right of this subtitle and it cannot be reinstated.
   
4. Updated Subtitle Timecode/Duration
   The time-code or the duration of the subtitle is updated.
   
   NOTES:

• When the time-code of the subtitle has changed, but the text is the same, it is considered to be the same subtitle.

• If the duration has changed and it has become shorter, it will be highlighted in red as you may need to edit down your translation because it will be on the screen for less time.

• If the duration has changed and it has become longer, it will be highlighted in green as the reading speed may be affected. You may have more time and be able to include more text in your translation.
  

 

5. Split Subtitle
   The original text is split into new subtitles. The original subtitle is marked as ‘deleted’ and new subtitles are added to include the resulting subtitles from the split.
   
6. Merged Subtitle
   The original subtitles are marked as deleted and a new one is added to include the old ones into one new subtitle.
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5.       Top Menu

1. Gear Dropdown

• Copy Text from Template
  To copy text from the English template into their corresponding ‘empty’ Subtitle events in the Translation timeline.
  The text from the English template will only be copied into empty subtitles in the translation column. Any subtitles which already contain text added by the translator will be left unchanged.
  
  NOTE: This functionality can be used to copy the text from the template column in the translation column and therefore allow you to hide the template column while you work.
  
  NOTE: Currently copying the text from the template to the translation column cannot be undone, and the template text will need to be overwritten manually with the translation.
  
  
• Filter Template Changes
  To filter the template changes that were updated, hiding all the unchanged subtitles.
  
  When there are template changes, this filter is active; if there were no template changes, the filter will be grayed out.
  
  When you open an assignment in which the template has been updated, you should apply this filter to continue working on the translation, if you have not yet finished.
  
  For example, this file has fifty subtitles, but after choosing this option, only twenty subtitles that have the template changes are shown.

• Export Text File for Spell Check
  To export the translated text as a text file. You can then open it in a word processor to run the spell checker. If any errors are picked up by the spell checker, switch to the Composition Editor and update your translation manually.
  

If you open the text file in Word, make sure you select “Other encoding” and “UTF-8” to ensure all characters are displayed correctly. 

 

The text file contains the subtitle number and translation. If an error is flagged by the spell checker, you can use the “Go To…” functionality to jump to the subtitle number in the Composition Editor and edit the corresponding subtitle.

• Export DFXP
  To export the DFXP file of the subtitles. For internal use.
  
• Import DFXP
  To import the DFXP file of the subtitles, if available. For internal use.
  
  
  

• Find
  

  To search for text, click ‘Find’ or hit [Ctrl + ‘F’] / [Cmd + ‘F’]
  

  
  The Find dialogue box will appear at the bottom of the page.

  
  
  Choose Translation to find text within the Translated Subtitles.
  

  
  Choose Template to find text within the Template subtitles.

  
  This counter shows the search results, i.e., which instance is being highlighted and the total number of instances found.

  
  Select Whole words to ignore partial matches and only search for whole words.

  
  Choose ‘Match Case’ to search for the text which matches the casing of the text Typed in the Find field.

  
  With the focus on the Find dialogue box (cursor appears in the Find field), you can also press [Enter] to Find Next or [Shift + Enter] to Find Previous.

  
  
  If any filters have been activated, like “Filter Subtitles With Translator Comments” or “Filter Template Changes”, selecting Exclude hidden events will not search in the text of subtitles hidden by the filters.

  If filters have been activated and the Exclude hidden events option is not selected, all the filters will be deactivated when clicking Find Next or Find Previous and the search will be performed on all the subtitles.

 

• Go To …
  To go to a specific subtitle using its number or time code.
  NOTE:  This can also be accessed by clicking this shortcut Ctrl + G (Cmd + ‘G’)
  

NOTE:  If the Composition Editor is in ‘EDIT’ mode when you use the "Go To…" function to jump to a specific timecode in the video, the subtitle in focus will not change. If you also want the subtitle to jump to the video time code you specified, make sure the Composition Editor is in ‘REVIEW’ mode.

• Display Template Subtitle in Video
  By default, the entered translations are shown on the media player. If the subtitle is empty, no text will show. When choosing to ‘Display Template Subtitle in Video”, the template text is displayed in the media player instead of the translation.
  
• Text overlay
  To display/hide the subtitles in the media player in order to see some object/text on the video behind the subtitle that is covered by it.
  
  
  

• EDIT/REVIEW Dropdown

  By default, the Composition Editor will be in ‘EDIT’ mode, to start translating. Click on ‘EDIT’ to switch to ‘REVIEW’ mode. You can also toggle between ‘EDIT’ and ‘REVIEW’ modes with the shortcut Ctrl + “.” (Cmd + “.”)
  
  
  
  In EDIT Mode - When the video is playing, the subtitles do not play in sync with it. The subtitle remains in focus until you manually jump to another subtitle. When you move through the subtitles, the video DOES NOT move; it stays where it is. The video and the subtitles function independently.
  
  
  
  In REVIEW Mode - When playing the video, the subtitles “play” in sync with the video.
  It is the same as watching the actual movie with subtitles; they appear on the screen based on their start time. If you move through the subtitles using shortcuts, the video jumps to the start time of the subtitle that you jumped to.
  While in Review mode, if the translator starts editing the subtitle in focus, the video will stop/pauses automatically.
  

• SAVE Button

  After adding or editing translations, when you jump to the next event, changes will be saved automatically. In addition, to manually save, click on the ‘Save’ button on top (as shown in #1). NOTE: Click ‘Save’ after you have finished your work to make sure the last subtitle you edited has been saved.
  
  In the below example, the translator has edited a subtitle, but hasn’t jumped to another subtitle, therefore the latest edits were not yet saved. When attempting to export the file for spellcheck an error was displayed (as shown in #2).
  
• SUBMIT Button
  
  Finally, when attempting to submit your file, click ‘SUBMIT. If you have any failed subtitles a warning message will appear. You will not be allowed to submit any file if any subtitle is in the “Fail” state.
  
  
  
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6.       Known Issues

• Optimizing the Display
  Depending on the resolution of your computer monitor and the zoom settings on your Chrome browser, when you open the Composition Editor, the layout may not be optimal. The Composition Editor should always display four subtitles, as seen below.
  

• If the fourth subtitle doesn’t appear at all or is cut off, as illustrated in the next screen, you will need to use the browser’s zoom settings to zoom out until you can see the “© 2019 PIXELOGIC – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED” copyright notice at the bottom of the screen.
• Note that if four subtitles are not displayed on the screen, when you jump through the subtitles, the whole screen will scroll down, obscuring the Translator Comments, Spotting Annotations and part of the subtitle at the top.
• To fix this, click on the three vertical dots located on the top right corner of the browser (as shown in #1) window and adjust the zoom settings (as shown in #2) until you can see four subtitles and the copyright notice on the screen.

 

• Video Controls and Shortcuts

If you are working on a Windows machine, you will need to have NumLock enabled in order for the video controls described in the shortcut document to work.

On certain Windows machines, there is a known issue which causes the PageUp and PageDown keys to not work when the NumLock is enabled, preventing users from using them to move to the next or previous subtitle. In some cases, pressing the key combinations Shift + Page Up or Shift + Page Down will allow you to move to the next or previous subtitle.

The shortcuts to move the last word in a line to the line below or to move the first word of a line to the line above may not work on some laptop keyboards which don’t have dedicated PageUp and PageDown keys.  To use the PageUp / PageDown functions you need to press a key combination with a function (fn) key, the shortcuts Alt + Shift + PageUp and Alt + Shift + PageDown will not work to move words.

• Online Spellcheckers

Online spellchecking services like Grammarly can be known to affect the behavior of the cursor when you are editing a subtitle. You may find that the cursor jumps from the end of a line to the beginning or the middle randomly.

If you experience this, you will need to disable the spell-checking service to fix the issue.

• Error Messages
  
  • You can only open one instance of the same assignment in the Composition Editor. If you try to open two instances of the same assignment in the Composition Editor, you will get the error message: {"message": "Please make sure you are not accessing this sub assignment or any related sub assignments from another browser/tab, and try again in 2 minutes."}
    
    That message will also appear if you close the browser tab of your assignment and try to open it again immediately. You need to wait at least two minutes before you can open the assignment again.
  • You may also see an error message if you try to open an assignment for which the video is not available:{"message": "Job proxy not found for assignment…"}
    
    If you see this error message when you try to open your assignment, please contact your Territory Manager.

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7. Training Videos

1. Opening An Assignment

2. Layouts

3. Editing Subtitles

4. Video Controls

5. Spell Check

6. Template Updates

7. Go To Subtitle

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