Step-by Step Instructions in a text format for how to add closed captioning to an existing video
Software used to make video closed captioning files
YouTube Downloader – Used to download youtube content that is not closed captioned. This is also used to convert videos.
BB Flashback Player Express Player and Recorder – Used for screen recording. Some videos can’t be downloaded with YouTube Downloader, this will record anything on your screen either in full screen or a set portion.
Movie Captioner – this is the software used to make the closed captioning file directly. This software has a $100 fee to purchase a license.
Steps to make closed captioned videos
1 – Download the video you wish to close caption.
n I typically will try the URL with YouTube Downloader first. If this doesn’t work open BB Flashback Recorder to record the video file.
n If you use the BB Flashback recorder, the exported AVI file must be converted using YouTube Downloader convert function.
2 – Open MovieCaptioner
3 – Load the video you wish to caption by clicking the “Load Movie” button
4 – Save the MovieCaptioner file with same name as the movie being captioned.
5 – set the loop time you wish to repeat, by default the loop is 4 seconds long and has a beep at the end of the loop
n The beep gets annoying so I typically turn it off
n It is typically best to use a 3 second or 4 second loop. 5 seconds or more is too long for most captions
6 – Click “Start” to start the video loop
7 – In the black box, type what is heard --- I typically listen to a 4 second loop 4-5 times to make sure I have the proper speech
8 – As soon as you verify the words are correct to the 4 second loop, hit enter on the keyboard. This will start the next loop.
9 – Repeat steps 7 and 8 until the video is completed.
10 – Once the entire video has been captioned click on the “Export” menu
11 – Click on “Embedded QuickTime (Unicode)”
n This makes a MP4 file that is closed captioning. The closed captioning will only work when opened with QuickTime
n I typically save the file as “OriginalVideoName-CC.mp4” (just add “-cc” to mean the video has been captioned
12 – Click on the “Export” menu
13 – Click “YouTube Captions”
14 – Save the file name as the video title
15 – Open Youtube.com
16 – Click “Upload”
17 – Upload the video file that is not closed captioned
18 – After the video is uploaded and processed click on “Video Manager”
19 – Click on the small arrow pointing down to the right of “edit”
20 – click on “Subtitles and CC”
21 – Click “Original Video Language
n By default the language is “English”
22 – Click on “Add Subtitles or CC”
n By default the language is “English”
23 – Click on “Upload a file”
24 – Click on “Subtitles File”
25 – Click on “Choose File”
27 – Find the video file name that has an icon that looks like a notebook
28 – Click “Publish”
29 – Copy the URL
30 – Email the Video URL to the appropriate teacher or if you are the teacher, than copy and paste the URL into the appropriate spot and set restrictions if you have them.
*Special Thanks to CLC's work-study wonder and closed captioner, Tom Bonar, for creating and sharing his expertise on the closed captioning process he's doing for CLC.
**Another note of thanks to Matt Evins for recommending the Movie Captioner software
