Offsetting audio and subtitle tracks
Normally the video, audio, and subtitle tracks in a movie all start at the same time. Use an offset to change the starting point of audio or subtitle tracks relative to the video. For example, you can offset audio tracks to correct video/audio sync problems, providing the video and audio are out of sync by a constant amount throughout the movie. Or you can offset a subtitle track containing subtitles imported from a script file, if all the timecodes in the script are off by a constant amount.
You can create an offset even if the track contains no content. When you add content to the track, the audio or subtitles take on the offset automatically.
To offset individual audio or subtitle tracks:
- Double-click the movie’s icon in the Project window. The movie appears in the Preview window.
- In the Timeline window, click the Solo button for the track you want to offset so that you can hear the audio or see the subtitles. See Previewing movies with multiple audio and subtitle tracks for details.
- Start playing the movie using the Preview window’s controls.
- Choose Timeline > Audio Options or Timeline > Subtitle Options, depending on the kind of track you want to offset.
The Audio Options or Subtitle Options dialog box appears. Both dialog boxes contain the same offset controls.
- Set the Offset for the track you want to change by either entering a timecode value or clicking and holding on the spinbox controls:
- Click the Apply button to make the change without closing the dialog box. This lets you see or hear the effect of the change and make further adjustments without having to reopen the dialog box.
- When you’re satisfied, click the OK button.
To offset some or all audio or subtitle tracks by the same amount:
- Double-click the movie’s icon in the Project window. The movie appears in the Preview window.
- If you want to offset only some tracks, lock the tracks you do not want to change in the Timeline window. See Locking and unlocking tracks for details.
- In the Timeline window, click the Solo button for one of the tracks that you want to offset so that you can hear the audio or see the subtitles.
- Start playing the movie using the Preview window’s controls.
- Choose Timeline > Audio Options or Timeline > Subtitle Options, depending on the kind of track you are offsetting. The Audio Options or Subtitle Options dialog box appears.
- Select the Link all tracks for editing checkbox.
- Set the offset value for one of the tracks and click the Apply button. All unlocked tracks take on the same offset.
- When you’re satisfied, click the OK button.