Convert STL Subtitles to CSV Format
or drag and drop
About STL
The EBU STL (European Broadcasting Union Sp-ruce Teletext Ltd) format is a professional subtitle format used extensively in television broadcasting and for DVD authoring. It's a binary format that contains not only the text and timing but also a large amount of metadata related to the production, such as program title, episode number, and translation details. It's a robust format designed for professional broadcast workflows.
About CSV
CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple text format for storing tabular data. In the context of subtitles, it's often used for translation workflows or bulk editing. Each row in the CSV file can represent a subtitle cue, with columns for the start time, end time, and text. It's easy to open and edit in any spreadsheet program like Excel or Google Sheets.
STL vs CSV
| Feature | STL | CSV |
|---|---|---|
| Styling Support | true | false |
| Positioning Support | true | false |
| Animation Support | false | false |
| Learning Curve | expert | beginner |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 3 |
| Patent Status | industry standard | open standard |
| Year Introduced | 1991 | 1972 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this STL related to 3D printing?
No, this is a common point of confusion. The EBU STL format for subtitles is completely unrelated to the STL (STereoLithography) file format used for 3D models and printing. They just happen to share the same file extension.
Can I open an STL subtitle file in a text editor?
No, most STL files are binary and will not be readable in a standard text editor. They require specialized professional subtitling software to be opened, edited, and converted.
Can I use a CSV file directly as a subtitle?
No, a CSV file cannot be used directly as a subtitle track in a video player. It's an intermediate format. You would need to convert the CSV file into a standard subtitle format like SRT or VTT after you have finished your edits or translations.
What is the best use case for CSV subtitles?
CSV is ideal for workflows where non-technical users need to edit or translate subtitle text. Giving a translator a simple spreadsheet is much easier than asking them to edit the strict syntax of an SRT or VTT file. It's also great for programmatically managing subtitle data.
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