What is Video Dubbing?

If you are involved in video production and have foreign language footage or simply want to distribute your videos to a global audience, then you will probably look into translating your videos so that they can be enjoyed by a larger, more diverse audience. When deciding to translate the content of your videos there are many different options to consider and of course pros and cons to each option to consider. Probably the fastest and cheapest option would be to translate your videos into several languages using subtitles. However, depending on your target audience, budget, duration of the video and the type of video you have produced video dubbing can be one of the most seamless and most enjoyable forms of video translation as it allows the audience to enjoy the video without having to simultaneously read subtitles.

What is Video Dubbing and What Advantages Does it Have Over Subtitling?

When it comes to weighing up the pros and cons of providing video dubbing to your audience, there are some things you need to consider. If you are using a video dubbing company to source a voice actor and supply your fully edited and dubbed video, then you must ensure that you are involved in the entire process, from approving the transcript to selecting the most appropriate voice artist. A good video dubbing company will enable you to choose from a wide range of voice artists and be willing to amend your transcripts where you feel that it is required.

On the other hand a subtitling company should be able to also provide a selection of different options for your subtitles, including script approval and appropriate amendments. You should also be able to select the target language or languages with the knowledge that the linguists used are experienced writers and can either create translated scripts that are best matched to your video. Subtitle extension (SRT, VTT, XML, etc.), subtitle placement, subtitle text and layout should also be considered and discussed with your chosen subtitle provider. Finally, options for subtitles, closed captions and open captioning should also be explained to you.

What are the Advantages of Subtitling over Video Dubbing?

• Subtitling is cheaper than video dubbing.
• Subtitling allows you to cater to audiences that are deaf or hearing impaired when created in the form of closed captions.
• Subtitling has a faster turnaround than dubbing.
• Subtitling can be a more sufficient learning tool when it comes to educational videos (studies have shown that listening and reading information is a more effective learning tool than listening alone).
• Some viewers prefer subtitles over video dubbing.
• Subtitling can create a more natural final edit and can aid language skills.

What are the Advantages of Video Dubbing over Subtitling?

• Video dubbing allows the audience to enjoy all of the visual aspects of a film and avoids missing possible plot developments.
• Even though video dubbing services are more expensive than subtitling alone, dubbing services can often include subtitling at a much lower cost than subtitling alone due to the fact that subtitles are often created during the process of video dubbing in order to get the timings right for the voice artist.
• Video dubbing allows an ease of watching.
• Video dubbing is great for animated films as there are no lip sync issues.

Subtitling Vs Video Dubbing

The decision to go with either video dubbing or subtitling is, at the end of the day a purely subjective one. Video dubbing is more common in some demographics than others, as is video subtitling. If you have the budget to provide your audience with both video dubbing and subtitling, that is ideal. It is of course worth significant consideration that subtitling does allow you to be accessible to audience members who are deaf or hearing impaired, but then audio description is also needed for audience members who are blind or vision impaired.

If you would like more information about our subtitling services, video dubbing services, closed captioning services, note taking services, transcription services or translation services, please get in touch. We are happy to discuss your options and ensure that you get the service you need at a turnaround and price that suits.

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