How to Automatically Translate Embedded and External Video Subtitles

Overview

This guide provides technical instructions on how to configure AI translation for your local videos using SubEnvoy. Whether your video includes built-in subtitle tracks (embedded) or requires an independent subtitle file (SRT/ASS/SSA/VTT), you can quickly generate high-quality translations by following these steps.

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Core Capabilities

• Embedded Subtitles: Process video files with built-in multilingual tracks (e.g., MKV, MP4, MOV).
• External Files: Translate independent .srt, .ass, .ssa, or .vtt files.
• Transcription Support: Generate subtitles from audio before translation if no source text is available.

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Step-by-Step Guide (Focused on macOS)

The Mac version serves as our primary platform, offering the most powerful performance experience.

Step 1: Import Video or Subtitles

Launch SubEnvoy and simply drag and drop your video file into the application window, or click the Open File button to select it manually.

SubEnvoy Main Interface: Supports drag-and-drop for video or subtitle files

• Supported Video Formats: Compatible with almost all FFmpeg-supported media containers, including but not limited to .mp4, .mkv, .mov, .avi, .wmv, .flv, .webm, etc.
• Supported Subtitle Formats: If you already have an external subtitle file, you can drag in files in .srt, .ass, .ssa, or .vtt formats separately for translation.

Step 2: Determine Subtitle Source

SubEnvoy identifies the source based on the type of file imported:

1. Embedded Subtitles (For Video Files): If you import an MKV or MP4 video, the system automatically scans for embedded subtitle tracks. If multiple tracks are detected, a dialog will appear for you to choose the target.

Track Selection Dialog: Choose the specific track to translate when multiple are available

2. External Subtitles (For Subtitle Files): If you drag in or open an external subtitle file (like .srt) directly, SubEnvoy will skip the track selection and proceed to the next step.
3. Videos Without Subtitles: If your video has no subtitles at all, click the Transcribe feature in the sidebar. This uses Apple Silicon hardware acceleration to generate the original text first.

Step 3: Configure the AI Translation Engine

After clicking the Translate button, you will enter the detailed configuration screen:

Translation Configuration: Set languages, choose mode, and preview estimated cost

• Select Languages:
  • Source Language: SubEnvoy automatically matches the language based on track metadata. You can switch it manually if needed.
  • Target Language: Select your desired translation language. SubEnvoy supports selecting multiple target languages at once to generate multiple translation tasks.
• Translation Mode:
  • Standard Mode: Optimized for value, ideal for daily viewing.
  • Advanced Mode: Uses top-tier AI models for extreme accuracy with technical terms and complex sentences.
• Estimated Cost:
  • The bottom of the screen displays the estimated points required based on Subtitle Segments and Video Duration.
  • Note: Actual cost may vary slightly based on the final AI processing result.

Click Start Translation to submit your tasks.

Step 4: Manage Tasks & Export Results

Upon submission, SubEnvoy automatically redirects you to the Cloud Translation page in the sidebar.

1. Monitor Status: View the progress of all submitted tasks (Processing or Completed).
2. Get Notified: You can safely close the app; SubEnvoy will send a push notification when the translation is finished.
3. Save Subtitles: Once the status is “Completed,” click the Save or Export icon next to the task.
4. File Format: SubEnvoy saves the translated content as a standard .srt file.

You can now load this subtitle into players like Infuse, IINA, or VLC for a high-quality viewing experience.

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Key Differences on iOS / iPadOS

While the core logic is identical, importing files on iPhone or iPad is more flexible:

• AirDrop: Send videos directly from your Mac to SubEnvoy.
• WiFi Transfer (Network Service): Windows users can enable the built-in “Network Service” in SubEnvoy and use a PC browser to upload videos wirelessly to the iOS device.
• Files App: Select videos directly from the iOS built-in Files app.

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FAQ

Q: How long does translation take?
A: Translation tasks are performed in the cloud using high-performance AI models (not executed locally). After submission, tasks enter a processing queue and typically finish within a few minutes.

Q: Can I close the app during translation?
A: Absolutely. Once the task is submitted, you can safely quit the app or shut down your computer without affecting the progress. SubEnvoy will notify you via a system push notification once the translation is complete.

Q: Are translation results stored permanently?
A: To maximize your privacy, our servers only retain translation results for 24 hours. You just need to open the app during this window to sync the data to your local device. After 24 hours, the data on the server is permanently and automatically deleted. This “process-and-purge” policy ensures your content never stays in the cloud long-term.

Q: Is my data private?
A: Absolutely. SubEnvoy only sends encrypted text segments to the cloud. Your original media files never leave your device, and the cloud text is used solely for generating translations, never for AI model training.