How to create an SRT file on Ubuntu?

SRT file, also known as the SubRip Subtitle file, is a format for subtitle files. The timing information is included with the text of the subtitles to corroborate that they are displayed at the perfect or correct time whenever the video is playing. SRT files are plaintext files. SRT files are mainly used to provide subtitles in multiple languages, to improve accessibility for the viewers. Now, before we start this article, let’s understand how you can use and install the SRT file on Ubuntu.

SRT i.e. Subtitle, has a plain text file that includes a specific structure:

• The text of the subtitles is in sequence.
• The start and end timecodes are in ” hh: mm: ss” format.
• SRT files don’t contain video or audio.

There are many ways to create a SRT file on Ubuntu. like using a text editor, subtitle editing software, command line tools, python script, etc. But in this article, we’re going to see how to create a ‘ srt ‘ file using command line tools or terminal edit with gedit, Nano, and Vim.

Creating an SRT file using Gedit

Gedit is a text editor designed for the GNU Network Object Model Environment (GNOME) desktop environment. For creating an SRT file using gedit, Follow the steps provided below.

• Open Gedit

1. Open the terminal (” Ctrl + Alt + T “)
2. Type ‘ gedit ‘ and press ‘ Enter ‘ to open the Gedit text editor on your PC.

• Enter Subtitle Blocks

1. Initiate the creation of the subtitles in Gedit by following the SRT format.
2. And remember to separate each block with a blank line.

• Save the SRT File

1. Click on ‘ File ‘ and select ‘ Save As ‘.
2. Enter a filename that you want to give with a .srt extension (e.g., subtitles.srt).
3. Choose the location and click Save.

Creating an SRT File Using Terminal Editors

Terminal editor, also known as the console text editor, is a type of text editor that operates within a command-line interface (CLI). These editors are used for managing and editing files on systems. Terminal editors are widely used for tasks like editing configuration files, writing scripts, or even programming, and many more.

• Using Nano

1. Open the terminal.
2. Type ‘ nano subtitles.srt ‘.
3. Enter your subtitle in the SRT format.
4. Save the file with ‘ Ctrl + O ‘, then ‘ Enter ‘, and exit with ‘ Ctrl + X ‘.

• Using Vim

1. Open the terminal.
2. Type ‘ vim subtitles.srt ‘.
3. To begin typing your subtitles, press ‘I’ to enter insert mode.
4. Press ‘ Esc ‘, then type ‘ :wq ‘ to save and exit.

Verifying Your SRT File

To make sure that our SRT file is properly formatted, the User can use subtitle editors like ‘ Aegisub ‘ or check it by loading it into a media player like VLC, Windows media played, Itones, etc.

Creating an SRT file in Ubuntu is simple when using the right tools. Either the user prefers editors like Gedit or terminal-based editors like Nano and Vim, following the SRT format is key to successful subtitle creation. This improves the accessibility and the reach of your video content.

Can I use a dedicated subtitle editor?

Absolutely yes! Options like Gaupol or Gnome Subtitles gives visual editing features for a more user friendly experience.

How do I add the SRT file to my video?

Most video players, like VLC, allow you to load external subtitle files.expand_more Look for the “Subtitle” option in the playback menu.

Is there a way to automatically generate subtitles?

Some video editing software like Kdenlive offers automatic speech-to-text features that can create a basic SRT file.expand_more However, manual editing might be needed for accuracy.

Where can I find free SRT files for my videos?

While some websites offer subtitle downloads, be cautious of copyright restrictions. Ensure proper attribution if using pre-made files.