VLC media player is set to launch a new feature that leverages AI to generate real-time subtitles for videos. Showcased at CES by VLC’s non-profit team, this innovation uses open-source AI models to transcribe spoken words and translate them into the user’s chosen language.
VLC’s AI-Powered Subtitles: Enhancing Accessibility and Global Content Consumption
One of the main benefits of this technology is its ability to generate subtitles locally on the user’s PC, eliminating the need for third-party servers. This allows users to view subtitles even when offline. Supporting over 100 languages, the feature is designed to be highly versatile for a global audience. VLC aims to solve a longstanding issue for users who previously had to download separate subtitle files, often in .srt format, or rely on embedded captions within the video.
Natacha Holtzhausser, VLC’s Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted that this AI-driven feature goes beyond subtitles; it aims to enhance accessibility and enrich content consumption globally. It will especially benefit users watching movies, TV shows, lectures, or live streams in different languages, offering a more inclusive experience.
Concerns Over VLC’s AI Subtitles: Resource Use and Accuracy Issues
While this feature offers significant improvements in accessibility, there are some considerations to address. One concern is the potential strain on computing resources, as the AI models could be resource-heavy. There are also questions regarding the open-source AI models used and whether they rely on OpenAI’s Whisper speech-recognition technology. Additionally, some users have expressed concerns that AI-generated subtitles may be inaccurate at times, leading to a less satisfying experience compared to human-generated captions. VLC plans to share more details about the feature in an upcoming blog post.
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