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View Full Version : New XML subtitle standard (in the making)


Paddington
25th November 2004, 07:25
I've just read about a proposal for a new XML subtitle standard, called Timed Text Distribution Format Exchange Profile (DFXP (http://xml.coverpages.org/ni2004-11-03-a.html)). It allows you to specify the timing, style, location and alignment of the subtitles in an XML syntax. For examples, have a look here (http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/WD-ttaf1-dfxp-20041101/):

Defining the title
<meta xmlns:ttm="http://www.w3.org/2004/11/ttaf1#metadata">
<ttm:title>Timed Text DFXP Example</ttm:title>
<ttm:copyright>The Authors (c) 2004</ttm:copyright>
</meta>

Defining some styles:
<styling xmlns:tts="http://www.w3.org/2004/11/ttaf1#styling">
<!-- s1 specifies default color, font, and text alignment -->
<style id="s1"
tts:color="white"
tts:font-family="proportional-sans-serif"
tts:font-size="22px"
tts:text-align="center"
/>
<!-- alternative using yellow text but otherwise the same as style s1 -->
<style id="s2" style="s1" tts:color="yellow"/>
<!-- a style based on s2 but justified to the right -->
<style id="s2Right" style="s2" tts:text-align="after" /> <!-- alternative using green text but otherwise the same as style s1 -->
<style id="s3" style="s1" tts:color="green" /> <!-- a style based on s3 but justified to the left -->
<style id="s3Left" style="s3" tts:text-align="start" />
</styling>

And some subtitles
<body region="subtitleArea">
<div>
<p id="subtitle1" begin="0.76" end="2.45">
I see Lisa's moving in then?
</p>
<p id="subtitle2" begin="5.0" end="10.0">
Nothing gets past you does it?
</p>
<p id="subtitle3" begin="10.0" end="13.0" style="s2">
What's with all this car business?
</p>
<p id="subtitle4" begin="15.2" end="18.0">
Dad's setting up on his own.
</p>
<p id="subtitle5" begin="19.0" end="25.0">
He's got to shift<br/>
these for his cash flow.
</p>
<p id="subtitle6a" begin="30.0" end="36.6" style="s3Left">
Hey, come on slave, stop slacking.
</p>
<p id="subtitle6b" begin="30.0" end="36.6" style="s2Right">
Watch it you.
</p>
<p id="subtitle7a" begin="39.0" end="45.0" style="s3">
Mel, race you to the front door.
</p>
<p id="subtitle7b" begin="39.0" end="45.0" style="s2Right">
Right, you're on.
</p>
<p id="subtitle8" begin="47.3" end="49.0">
Lisa!
</p>
</div>
</body>

Does anyone know whether it is used somewhere? And is there an interest to include it (for example, in my program SubtitleCreator (http://sourceforge.net/projects/subtitlecreator/))? I am interested in your optinions...

Kurtnoise
28th November 2004, 09:36
Personnally, I prefer USF (Universal Subtitles Format). ;) It's based also on XML structure. Try to make a search in this forum to have more information.

Liisachan
2nd December 2004, 13:13
Just in case you didnt know yet, as for USF, check this forum too.
http://corecodec.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=PNphpBB2&file=viewforum&f=12

Timed Text is multi-purpose and general, while USF is a modern form of SSA, so to speak... Both are XML. Media Player Classic already can render USF more or less.

bond
6th December 2004, 00:30
Originally posted by Paddington
Does anyone know whether it is used somewhere? And is there an interest to include it (for example, in my program SubtitleCreator (http://sourceforge.net/projects/subtitlecreator/))? I am interested in your optinions...you might want to look at the representation of 3gpp/mpeg-4 timed text defined by the gpac project here (http://gpac.sourceforge.net/auth_text.php) too (its also xml and aims specifically on 3gpp/mpeg-4 timed text) :)

unmei
7th December 2004, 21:38
heh wow =) this is set, before i ever go to support 3GPP subs (i think about it but aslo fear it..) i will definitly write gpac TTXT support. This is like idea for a 3gpp<->usf conversion without me having to understand and interpret that terrible specs (heh MPEG did it again OO).

As for the W3C format, yeah i knew they were going to develop one, but i din't expect it to happen that soon. Anyway, i don't think i will dive into that one too soon - first i think it looks quite ugly at a first glance and also looks like a mid thing between simple and fully styled subs (as this it could sometimes be a good replacement for SRT tho) and secondly also because i really don't have supporting more formats high on my priorities list..

(god i HATE this keyboard, i should really bring a decent one to this place ><)

bond
7th December 2004, 23:05
Originally posted by unmei
]heh wow =) this is set, before i ever go to support 3GPP subs (i think about it but aslo fear it..) i will definitly write gpac TTXT support. This is like idea for a 3gpp<->usf conversion without me having to understand and interpret that terrible specs (heh MPEG did it again OO).cool :)