Video Translation and Captions: When and How Much?
Learn the difference between burned-in subtitles, animated captions, and SRT files, what to send before work starts, and typical costs on Hylance.
Key takeaways
- If your video is watched without sound, revisited as a lesson, or aimed at people who speak another language, it needs on-screen text.
- There are three formats: fixed burned-in subtitles at the bottom, animated word-by-word captions for Reels, and a separate SRT file uploaded with the video.
- Send the original file in the highest quality, a list of names and terms, the platform size, and an example of a style you like.
- On Hylance, at the time of writing, short video translation starts at about SAR 40 (about $11), and the payment stays on hold until you confirm delivery.
You need translation or on-screen text when your video is likely to be watched without sound, as often happens with Reels and Stories, when your audience speaks a different language from the speaker, or when the video is a lesson people will come back to and search through. There are three formats to choose from before you order: fixed burned-in subtitles at the bottom of the frame, animated captions that appear word by word with the audio, and a separate SRT file uploaded with the video. On Hylance, at the time of writing, short video translation starts at about SAR 40 (about $11), and the price goes up with video length and with translation into another language.
What is the difference between burned-in subtitles, captions, and an SRT file?
The difference is where the text appears and how it is saved. Burned-in subtitles are placed directly inside the video image, so they show everywhere the video is played and cannot be turned off. Animated captions are also burned in, but they are larger, usually placed in the middle of the screen, and appear in sync with each spoken word, which is common in short-form videos. An SRT file, by contrast, is a separate file containing the lines and their timings, and the platform shows it only when requested. The table below will help you choose.
| Type | How it looks on screen | Best for | What you receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed burned-in subtitles | One or two lines at the bottom in a clean font | An ad, product video, or interview posted on more than one platform | A new MP4 file with the text embedded |
| Animated captions | Large words in the middle that appear with the speech | Reels, TikTok, Snapchat, and single-speaker clips | A new MP4 file in vertical format |
| Separate SRT file | Nothing appears unless the viewer turns it on | YouTube, training courses, and videos that will later be translated | A small SRT file to upload with the original video |
When does your video need on-screen text?
Not every video needs subtitles, but in the following cases they are hard to do without. Check your video against this list before you decide.
- A short video watched in the feed without sound: the viewer reads the first line to decide whether to keep watching, and if there is no text, they may scroll past.
- A video explaining steps or numbers: the price, size, and product name are often more accurate when read than when heard.
- A speaker with a strong accent or audio that is less than ideal: text makes up for what gets lost.
- A long lesson or episode on YouTube: an SRT file makes the content searchable and helps people who have difficulty hearing.
- An audience that speaks another language: English subtitles for an Arabic video, or the other way around, can open a new market using the same video.
Same-language captions or translation into another language?
Decide this before ordering, because it changes both the price and the delivery time. Text in the same language as the speaker is transcription, which is one task: listening to the speech, writing it out, and timing it correctly. Translation into another language is two tasks: transcription first, then translation, and the translator also needs to understand the terms used in your business. If you want both languages, first order an SRT file in the speaker’s language and review it, then order its translation. That way, you correct names and terminology once before moving to the second language. In both cases, send a list of your product names and how they should be written, because those are the most common source of mistakes.
What to send the freelancer before they start
Good subtitles start with a good order message. When the freelancer receives the following, delivery is faster and usually needs fewer revisions.
- The original video file in the highest quality, not a version sent through a chat app and compressed.
- A written script, if you have one, or key points, because it saves transcription time and reduces mistakes.
- A list of names, terms, and foreign words, and how they should be written in Arabic.
- The platform and dimensions: vertical for Reels and TikTok, horizontal for YouTube, because text placement changes.
- Your brand colors and font if you want captions in your brand style, or one example video whose text style you like.
- The language you need: transcription only, translation into another language, or both together.
How much does video translation cost on Hylance?
The following numbers are approximate ranges from services published on Hylance at the time of writing this guide. The exact price appears on each service page in your currency. Adding burned-in Arabic subtitles to a video up to five minutes starts at about SAR 40 (about $11). Animated word-by-word captions for three short videos are about SAR 55 (about $15). Transcribing an audio or video recording up to 30 minutes into text with timestamps is about SAR 45 (about $12), and that works well as the base for an SRT file. Cutting one long video into five short clips with text subtitles is about SAR 60 (about $16). What increases the price: longer videos, translation into a second language, multiple speakers, and poor audio that is hard to hear.
You pay from your Hylance wallet, and the amount stays on hold with the platform until you confirm that you received the work. If you cancel before delivery, the amount goes back to your wallet. On your first order on the platform, you also get a 10% discount.
How to review subtitles when you receive them
Watch the video once with sound and once without sound, and do it on your phone, not just on a computer screen. Check the following points before confirming delivery.
- The text matches the speech and does not appear too early or too late by more than a moment.
- Each line stays on screen long enough to be read, and fixed subtitles do not go beyond two lines.
- The text does not cover the speaker’s face, your logo, or the platform buttons at the bottom of the screen.
- The font size is readable on mobile, and the contrast is clear over both light and dark scenes.
- Names, numbers, and terms are written exactly as you sent them, with no spelling mistakes.
- For an SRT file: it opens on the platform and the text appears at the correct times.
Send your notes in one message and include the minute and second for each note. If the freelancer delivers work that does not match what you agreed on and does not fix it, open a dispute from the order page after delivery.
Common mistakes in video translation
- Publishing automatically generated text without human review, which leads to your product names being written incorrectly.
- Using literal translation for expressions instead of conveying the meaning, especially in ads.
- Using a small decorative font that is hard to read on mobile, or too many colors that distract from the product.
- Placing text at the bottom where the platform interface covers it, or changing its position from one video to another.
- Ordering subtitles before editing is finished, so later cuts throw off all the timing.
- Confirming delivery after watching only the first few seconds.
Video translation and caption services on Hylance
Embedded Arabic subtitles for a video up to 5 minutes
- Video & Animation
- New service
Animated word-by-word captions for 3 short videos
- Video & Animation
- Recently added
- New service
5 Short Reels Clips from a Long Video with Text Subtitles
- Video & Animation
- New service
Frequently asked questions
Do I need captions on a video if both the speaker and audience are Arabic-speaking?
Usually yes if it is a short video posted on Reels, TikTok, or Snapchat, because some viewers open it with no sound and decide within the first two seconds. Here, the text is a transcript of what the speaker is already saying, not a translation into another language, and it is called captions. For a longer YouTube video that people usually watch with sound, an SRT file is enough for viewers who want to turn it on.
What is an SRT file and why should I ask for it with the video?
An SRT file is a small text file that includes each line along with when it appears and disappears. You upload it with the video on YouTube or import it into your video editor, and viewers can show or hide it. Its advantage is that you can edit one word without exporting the whole video again, and you can also use it later to translate the video into a second language.
How much does it cost to add captions to a short video?
On Hylance at the time of writing, adding burned-in Arabic subtitles to a video up to five minutes starts at about SAR 40 (about $11), animated captions for three short videos are about SAR 55 (about $15), and transcribing a recording up to 30 minutes with timestamps is about SAR 45 (about $12). Translation into another language costs more because it is extra work on top of transcription. The exact price is listed on each service page.
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