To ensure optimal results when encoding captions into your videos, please follow these best practices.
Prerequisites
Before placing an encoding order, ensure the following:
Source File Availability: The media file must exist within your 3Play Media account.
Completion of Services: Transcription, captioning, or alignment services must be finished.
Order Placement: The encoding order must be placed within 60 days after the transcription or alignment process is complete.
Video Track Presence: The source file must have a video track.
File Format: If selecting "Source w/ Open Captions," the video must be encoded as an MP4. Alternative containers (e.g., .flv, .m4v) are acceptable if the video track is H.264 and the audio track is AAC.
Proofread
Review Before Ordering: Proofread your transcript or preview your video with captions to ensure satisfaction.
Editing After Ordering: Edits made after placing the encoding order will not propagate to the encoded video. Ensure all changes are saved before ordering.
Turnaround Time
Standard Encoding: Most encoding requests are completed within 8 hours, subject to available resources.
Factors Affecting Time: Duration of content, number of files, and settings requested can influence turnaround time.
Order and Download Timeline
Order Placement: You have 60 days from the completion of transcription or alignment to place an encoding order.
Download Availability: After encoding, the new video will be available for download within your account for 60 days.
File Formats
Closed Captions: Encoded captions are added to the source video and saved in an .m4v container. The original file extension (e.g., .mp4) will change to .m4v.
Open Captions: Captions are permanently embedded (“burned in”) into the video frames and saved in an .m4v file. Open caption encodings support vertical caption placement, but do not support bottom bar open captions.
Encoding Profiles & Technical Specifications
The table below details the technical specs for the different Encoding Profiles available when you order from the account system.
| Profile Name | Description | Target Width | Overall Bit Rate |
| Source (Closed Captions) | Preserves original aspect ratio; captions added in a side-car file. Ideal for players that support closed captioning. | Original | Original |
| High Bit Rate (Closed Captions) | Optimizes high bit-rate video; captions added in a side-car file. Ideal for players that support closed captioning. | 1280px | 3Mb/sec |
| Standard (Closed Captions) | Standard definition video; captions added in a side-car file. Ideal for players that support closed captioning. | 640px | 1.5Mb/sec |
| Source (Open Captions) | Burns captions directly onto the video; preserves original aspect ratio. | Original | Original |
| Source M4V Output (Open Captions) | Burns captions directly onto the video; preserves original aspect ratio; outputs as an M4V file. | Original | Original |
| Standout (Open Captions) | Burns captions over a dark background; preserves original aspect ratio. | Original | Original |
| Bottom Bar (Open Captions) | Captions displayed in a separate bottom bar; aspect ratio decreases. Outputs as an M4V file. | 90% of Original | Original |
| Bottom Bar MP4 Output (Open Captions) | Captions displayed in a separate bottom bar; aspect ratio decreases. Outputs as an MP4 file. | 90% of Original | Original |
| Apple Bottom Bar Closed Captions | Bottom bar captions intended for use with Apple programs. | 90% of Original | 3Mb/sec |
| Note: These specs are targets; in some cases, the quality of the input source video will limit how close to the target the encoding process can get |
Important Notes
Broadcast Deliverables: The encoding service is intended for offline file sharing, kiosk video displays, etc., and is not intended for broadcast deliverables. For broadcast, download a closed caption file and encode the captions using software like HandBrake, Apple Compressor, or Adobe Media Encoder.
Playback Considerations: For most video players, closed captions will need to be explicitly turned on by the viewer.