Including subtitles to a Zoom recording can significantly improve the accessibility and usability of your video material. Not only do subtitles make it simpler for those with hearing challenges to comprehend the content, but they also offer a helpful tool for anyone who may need to view the video in a loud or sound-sensitive place. In this guide, I will walk you through the steps of incorporating subtitles to a Zoom recording, drawing from my own personal experiences and observations.
Step 1: Export the Zoom Recording
The first step in adding subtitles to a Zoom recording is to export the video file from Zoom. To do this, open the Zoom application on your computer and navigate to the “Meetings” tab. Find the meeting that corresponds to the recording you want to subtitle and click on the “Recordings” button. From the list of recordings, locate the one you wish to work with and click on the “More” button next to it. In the dropdown menu, select “Export”.
Personally, I find it helpful to organize my Zoom recordings into folders based on topic or event. This way, I can easily locate the recording I need when it comes time to subtitle it.
Step 2: Prepare the Subtitle Content
Before diving into the actual process of adding subtitles, it’s important to have your subtitle content prepared and ready to go. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on your personal preference and available resources.
If you prefer to manually transcribe the video dialogue, you can use a text editor or word processor to type out the spoken words. This method allows for more control over the accuracy of the subtitles, but it can be time-consuming, especially for longer videos.
Alternatively, you can use automatic speech recognition (ASR) software to generate a rough transcription of the audio. While ASR technology has come a long way, it is important to carefully review and edit the generated transcript for accuracy. Keep in mind that the quality of ASR software may vary, so be sure to choose a reliable and reputable tool.
Step 3: Add Subtitles to the Zoom Recording
Once you have your subtitle content prepared, it’s time to actually add the subtitles to the Zoom recording. There are several software options available for this purpose, but for the purpose of this article, I will focus on using a free, open-source tool called VLC Media Player.
To get started, open VLC Media Player and go to the “Media” tab in the menu bar. From the dropdown menu, select “Open File” and navigate to the location where you have saved your Zoom recording. Once you have selected the file, click on the “Open” button.
Next, go to the “Subtitle” tab in the menu bar and select “Add Subtitle File…”. Navigate to the location where you have saved your subtitle file and select it. VLC Media Player supports a variety of subtitle file formats, including SRT, VTT, and SSA.
Once you have added the subtitle file, you should see the subtitles appear on the screen as the video plays. You can adjust the timing and appearance of the subtitles by going to the “Subtitle” tab and selecting “Subtitle Track”. From here, you can make adjustments to the font, size, color, and position of the subtitles to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
Adding subtitles to a Zoom recording is a simple yet powerful way to make your video content more accessible and user-friendly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your Zoom recordings are inclusive and usable by a wide range of individuals. Whether you choose to manually transcribe the dialogue or use automatic speech recognition software, the end result will be a more inclusive and engaging viewing experience.