How to Add Subtitles in DaVinci Resolve in 5 EASY Steps

What Are Subtitles and How to Add Them in DaVinci Resolve?

Subtitles are a vital aspect of modern video content, allowing a broader audience to engage with your videos, including non-native language speakers and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. In my opinion, adding subtitles to your videos in DaVinci Resolve can significantly enhance your brand outreach. So, how about we explore the process of adding subtitles, both manually and through SRT subtitles?

Understanding Subtitles

Subtitles are text usually positioned at the bottom of your video and are created from the dialogue of videos or movies. Thanks to the subtitles, members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community or users who don't want to turn up the volume can understand what's happening and what's being said in the video. The benefits of subtitles include improved SEO, attracting more foreign viewers, and reaching a potentially wider audience.

Adding Subtitles with DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve offers several ways to add subtitles to your videos. There are both manual and automatic methods to do it. Let's find out more.

Manual Creation of Subtitles

1. Select Subtitle Track: Go to your video track timeline in the DaVinci Resolve software and click the 'Add Subtitle Track' option. This will add the track containing your video subtitles.
2. Add Subtitle Track: Move your cursor to the point where a dialog starts. Next, right-click on the subtitle track and select the 'Add Subtitle' option.
3. Type In the Caption: Once you have selected the subtitle, you can now type your caption in the new panel. Fill in the caption in the Inspector.
4. Adjust Subtitle Length: Match the section of the audio to your subtitle and adjust its length.
5. Listen to the Audio: Listen to the audio section and type it into the caption space. This will add the subtitle and start appearing in the video.
6. Styling Subtitle Font: In the inspector window, you can also see the Style tab. Use this tab to modify how your caption appears in the video. You can customize the font, size, color, background, etc. Make sure to use an easily readable font to make it easier to read at a faster pace.
7. Add Next Subtitle: Move the cursor to the point where the following audio line begins. Then, in the inspector window, click 'Add New.' Repeat the process to add subtitles throughout the video.

By the way, manual addition of subtitles is a simplified process, but it can be quite laborious. Nevertheless, it offers precise control over the placement and styling of the subtitles.

Add SRT Subtitles to DaVinci Resolve

While manual addition of subtitles is effective, there must be a much faster option to shift the subtitles to the video quickly. Platforms like Envato Elements are an easy way to get machine-made subtitles for your videos. All you need to do is upload your video content and then choose to get machine-made subtitles or have a team of professional subtitlers take the lead.

1. Getting SRT Subtitles with Amberscript: Upload your video, and Amberscript starts to transcribe your video. Within minutes you would get your text draft. You can edit the first draft of your subtitle on their online text editor to suit anything you want.
2. Download Subtitles: If you are happy with the edited subtitles, you can download them in Text, SRT, VTT, or EBU-STL and many other formats, with optional timestamps and speaker distinction.

In other words, this method allows for a more streamlined process, especially if you have more complex or a large amount of video content.

A Couple of Tips to Consider

1. Understand Your Audience: Subtitles are one of the primary requirements from video makers these days. So, you might as well consider the needs of your target audience when adding subtitles.
2. Choose the Right Font: The best font for subtitles should be easily readable.

All things considered, adding subtitles in DaVinci Resolve is a straightforward process that can be done manually or with the help of platforms like Amberscript. It's a perfect solution for professional video editors looking to enhance their content's accessibility and reach. Whether creating video subtitles or exporting them for other videos, it's all possible through DaVinci Resolve. Just remember to keep the styling consistent and the text clear for the best viewer experience.