Convert SUP Subtitles to JSON Format
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About SUP
The SUP format is a generic container for image-based subtitles, most commonly associated with DVD and Blu-ray discs. On DVDs, these are called VobSub (.sub/.idx), and on Blu-rays, they are PGS (.sup). In both cases, the subtitles are stored as a stream of images, not as text. This ensures consistent visual appearance across all players but makes them large and impossible to edit as text.
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.
SUP vs JSON
| Feature | SUP | JSON |
|---|---|---|
| Styling Support | true | true |
| Positioning Support | true | true |
| Animation Support | false | true |
| Learning Curve | expert | intermediate |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 4 |
| Patent Status | industry standard | open standard |
| Year Introduced | 1997 | 2001 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between PGS and SUP?
PGS is a specific type of SUP stream used for Blu-ray discs. 'SUP' is often used more generically to refer to any image-based subtitle stream, including those from DVDs (which are technically VobSubs). Our converter correctly identifies and handles these different image-based formats.
How do I convert a SUP file to SRT?
Converting an image-based format like SUP to a text-based format like SRT requires Optical Character Recognition (OCR). This process involves software scanning the images of the subtitles and attempting to recognize the characters to convert them back into text. The accuracy can vary depending on the quality and font of the subtitles.
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.
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