Industry Terminology Index

Audio & Timed Text Synchronization Glossary

Detailed definitions and explanations for terms and file types used in the professional captioning and broadcast workflows.

SRT (SubRip)

The standard and most widely compatible plain text subtitle format, featuring index numbers, timestamps with comma decimals, and text lines.

Read Full Definition

WebVTT (VTT)

HTML5 media subtitle format using dot decimals, styling metadata, CSS support, and responsive layouts.

Read Full Definition

LRC (Lyrics)

A specific audio metadata format containing line-by-line or word-by-word timestamp tags, primarily used to show synchronized lyrics during song playback.

Read Full Definition

Caption

Text representing spoken words as well as sound effects, speaker names, and non-speech details for accessibility.

Read Full Definition

Subtitle

Text translations of spoken dialogues intended for viewers who do not understand the original audio language.

Read Full Definition

Transcript

A complete textual representation of the spoken elements in an audio or video file without timing segments.

Read Full Definition

Timestamp

A precise marker representing the exact time a word, syllable, or subtitle block appears or disappears in media playback.

Read Full Definition

Waveform

A visual representation of an audio signal showing amplitude changes over time, critical for manual subtitle alignment.

Read Full Definition

Synchronization

The process of matching subtitle onset times to the corresponding spoken audio signals.

Read Full Definition

Subtitle Offset

The shift factor applied to translation files to push all timeline events forward or backward.

Read Full Definition

Karaoke Timing

Ultra-precise temporal mapping where timestamps tag individual syllables or single words rather than whole lines.

Read Full Definition

Ready to Align Your Media Timelines?

Launch our in-browser digital audio workstation. Stamp timestamps, adjust delay offsets, and export SRT, WebVTT, and LRC offline.