Auto Subtitles Generator

Overview

subtitle_maker is a Node.js script that automatically generates single-word subtitles for videos. It solves the tedious problem of manually splitting words in video editing software like Premiere Pro or CapCut, allowing users to create stylish word-by-word captions with just a single command.

Demo

subtitle_maker_script.mp4

Features

• One-Command Subtitling: Generate single-word subtitles automatically with a simple npm command
• Customizable Text Styles: Modify font, size, color, and position of subtitles
• Accurate Word Timing: Leverages Deepgram API for precise word-level timestamps
• No Video Re-encoding: Adds subtitles without degrading original video quality
• Real-time Progress Tracking: Monitor subtitling progress through the command line

Tech Stack

• Node.js
• Deepgram API for speech-to-text conversion and word-level timestamps
• FFmpeg for video processing and subtitle application
• JavaScript

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/subtitle_maker.git
   cd subtitle_maker

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Set up your Deepgram API key:

   • Create a .env file in the root directory
   • Add your Deepgram API key: DEEPGRAM_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

4. Place your video in the assets folder

5. Configure the video path in the start script within package.json:

   "scripts": {
     "start": "node src/index.js assets/your_video_filename.mp4",
     "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
   }

6. Run the script:

   npm start

Challenges & Solutions

FFmpeg Complexity

FFmpeg is powerful but complex with strict parameter requirements. Our solution implemented robust error handling and parameter validation to ensure consistent results across different video formats.

Word-Level Timing Accuracy

Getting precise timing for individual words was challenging. We leveraged Deepgram's advanced API capabilities to obtain accurate timestamps for each word, resulting in perfectly synchronized subtitles.

Future Plans

• Implement Advanced SubStation Alpha (ASS) subtitle format support for enhanced animation capabilities
• Add more text styling options and animation presets
• Create a simple GUI interface for non-technical users
• Support for batch processing multiple videos