Convert JSON Subtitles to SSA Format
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About JSON
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. While not a traditional subtitle format itself, it is an excellent way to store and transmit structured subtitle data. Each subtitle cue can be an object with properties for start time, end time, text content, and any custom metadata.
About SSA
SubStation Alpha (SSA) is the predecessor to the more feature-rich ASS format. It was one of the first subtitle formats to allow for basic styling, including control over fonts, colors, and text position. While it has largely been superseded by ASS, it laid the groundwork for advanced subtitle scripting and is still supported by many players that support ASS.
JSON vs SSA
| Feature | JSON | SSA |
|---|---|---|
| Styling Support | true | true |
| Positioning Support | true | true |
| Animation Support | true | false |
| Learning Curve | intermediate | intermediate |
| Quality Rating | 4 | 3 |
| Patent Status | open standard | open format |
| Year Introduced | 2001 | 1998 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a media player play a JSON subtitle file?
No, standard media players like VLC or QuickTime cannot directly play a JSON file as a subtitle track. JSON is a data format that would need to be processed by a custom web application or script to display the subtitles over a video.
Why would I convert subtitles to JSON?
Converting subtitles to JSON is extremely useful for web developers and data processing. It allows you to easily load subtitle data into a web application, manipulate it with JavaScript, integrate it with other APIs, or store it in a database in a structured way.
Should I use SSA or ASS?
You should almost always choose ASS over SSA for new projects. ASS is fully backward-compatible with SSA and contains a much larger and more powerful feature set. SSA is primarily of interest for compatibility with very old files or legacy workflows.
What can SSA do that SRT cannot?
Unlike SRT, SSA allows you to define specific styles for your subtitles, such as the font family, font size, primary and secondary colors, and basic positioning on the screen. However, its capabilities are much more limited compared to its successor, ASS.
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