Convert SCC Subtitles to TXT Format
or drag and drop
About SCC
SCC (Scenarist Closed Caption) is a professional format used for creating Line 21 closed captions, which are the standard for broadcast television in North America. SCC files contain not just the text but also precise data on screen positioning (including roll-up and pop-on styles) and color, conforming to the CEA-608 standard. It's a critical format for broadcast accessibility compliance.
About TXT
A plain text (.txt) file is the simplest possible format, containing only raw text characters without any timing or styling information. When used in the context of subtitles, it typically represents a transcript of the audio. To be used as subtitles, this transcript would need to be processed by another tool to add the necessary timestamps to sync the text with the video.
SCC vs TXT
| Feature | SCC | TXT |
|---|---|---|
| Styling Support | true | false |
| Positioning Support | true | false |
| Animation Support | false | false |
| Learning Curve | expert | beginner |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 1 |
| Patent Status | proprietary | open standard |
| Year Introduced | 1998 | 1963 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between open captions and closed captions?
Open captions are 'burned' into the video itself and cannot be turned off. Closed captions (like those from an SCC file) are a separate stream of data that the viewer can choose to enable or disable from their television or player.
Can I use SCC files for web video?
While it's possible to convert SCC to a web-friendly format like VTT, SCC itself is not designed for the web. It is a broadcast-specific format. Web platforms have their own standards for accessibility and captions, with VTT being the most common.
How can I turn a TXT transcript into an SRT file?
This process is called 'timing' or 'syncing'. It requires specialized software where you can load the video and the text file, and then go through the video, marking the start and end times for each line of dialogue. Many professional subtitle editors offer features to help with this process.
When is a plain TXT file useful?
A plain text file is very useful for creating a simple, readable transcript of a video for reference, for search engine optimization (SEO), or as the first step in a translation workflow before the text is timed.
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