Let's talk about captions: WebVTT and TTML
summary
Compares the actual formats: XML-based TTML with profiles offers many styling features, multiple time formats and transform/export profiles (IMSC, EBU‑TT extensions exist) while single timestamp style in WebVTT is SRT‑like and far simpler. Notes regional semantics differ — regions differ between formats — and styling chains in TTML versus CSS‑ish WebVTT rules. Reports browser support: WebVTT is broadly supported (Safari/iOS strongest), TTML sees niche support (Microsoft, IE11 full). Verdict favors WebVTT for the web.
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chapters (15)
- 0:00Intro
- 0:26For hearing loss Help everyone
- 1:101971: The French Chef First Open Captions
- 1:20Open Captions Always visible
- 1:35Closed Captions Hidden by default Require user interaction
- 2:17Americans with Disabilities Act
- 4:03TTML Timed Text Markup Language
- 4:36XML SMIL, XSL-FO, CSS
- 5:11Originally DFXP Distribution Format eXchange Profile
- 5:21Profiles Which features should be available
- 6:36Simple text format Based on .srt
- 9:51WebVTT Across the board
- 10:03TTML Microsoft, soon Apple
- 10:14For simplicity, readability, And browser support
- 10:29WebVTT for the Web TTML for everything else
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