Idea: Using BBC iPlayer Subtitles
2008-12-27 21:38:43
The BBC have managed to improve the availability of subtitles in the iPlayer's streamed videos.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2008/12/iplayer_subtitles_increase_our.html
Indeed, before this week I hardly saw any subtitled videos but now every one I've tried has working subtitles almost straightaway. I thought it would be rather handy if I could somehow download these to keep.
So I did a bit of research and it turns out they use xml files to store the subtitles so the flash videos can load them on the fly. Using the programme meta data (http://beebhack.wikia.com/wiki/IPlayer_TV#Subtitles), the xml file is easily accessible. Inside the xml file each line is listed in this format:
[code]Oh, er...
[/code]
All the elements are there - the id is subtitle line, we have the start and end time (although they need a comma and extra digit in the last set of numbers) and the line itself.
I thought it would be possible to download these xml files and quickly convert these into correct synchronised srt subtitles. Unfortunately my meagre knowledge of programming isn't up to it.
Does anyone have the skills to take this further? If someone could develop either a desktop or online tool to do it, it might be possible to create accurate subtitles for BBC programmes within minutes rather than hours and days it sometimes takes.
nl
How does this site works?
2008-09-07 23:20:37
Well, in order to be able to see anything useful, you should register.
Registration is not automatic, an admin has to approve your membership, so it might take hours, normally no more than a day.
You may have to check your junk/spam folder as you know, some ISP are a bit trigger happy on this folder.
What is this all about?
2008-09-07 20:54:39
Welcome to the English section of [url=http://www.yyets.net]www.YYeTs.net[/url].
Here you'll be able to discuss shows aired in English, either from the UK, US, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, etc.
Furthermore, at the moment mainly for UK shows, you'll be able to find materials that will help you create subtitles in your own language. :smile: