Synthesia captions: choose closed, dynamic or burned-in output before generation

SOURCE-BASED ANALYSIS · NO HANDS-ON RATING

Choose behavior, not just appearance

Synthesia documents closed captions, dynamic captions and burned-in captions. Closed captions can be toggled by the viewer and downloaded as subtitle files. Dynamic captions are visual elements that can be styled on the canvas. Burned-in captions are permanently embedded during generation. Select the type from the distribution requirement rather than from a screenshot in the editor.

Write an acceptance table

This table translates documented behavior into a proposed review, not a universal recommendation.

Test the script as the source of truth

Synthesia states that closed captions follow the video script. Use a script containing punctuation, a number, an acronym and a term with a pronunciation rule. Correct the script text first, then use the pronunciation control to change how a term sounds without deliberately misspelling the visible caption.

1. Generate a short sample with the selected caption type.
2. Review text against the approved script.
3. Check timing, line breaks and contrast on desktop and mobile.
4. Download SRT or VTT where required and test it outside Synthesia.
5. Confirm whether the downloaded MP4 includes or excludes captions as intended.

Handle language versions separately

Synthesia notes that captions match the video script language. For a translated video, review the translated script and regenerate the caption output rather than attaching a source-language file. Keep an approval record per locale because a correct source caption does not prove the translated wording or timing.

Preserve the delivery decision

Record the chosen caption type, script version, generated video ID, subtitle filenames and tested players. If the channel changes from an embedded player to a downloaded file, repeat the test because caption behavior can change with the delivery format.