Start with the right kind of file
The translation workbench takes existing UTF-8 SRT files. It keeps the source cue numbers and timestamps, supports a glossary and manual cue edits, and exports translated-only or bilingual SRT. It does not transcribe audio, extract subtitles from video or burn captions into a video.
There are 24 translation-language options. The interface is available in English and Simplified Chinese. An available language option is not a claim that every language pair, subject or writing style has been independently evaluated. Try a representative excerpt and review it in your target language.
Choose between local tools and the cloud workbench
These are separate workflows with different limits. A file accepted by a local tool may still exceed a workbench limit. Local checks do not transfer your file to the workbench.
| Workflow | What it does | File handling and limits |
|---|---|---|
| SRT structure checker | Checks SRT blocks, cue numbering, timestamps, empty text and timing relationships. You decide how to correct reported issues. | Works in the browser without sign-in. One UTF-8 file up to 500,000 bytes and 5,000 cues. Subtitle text and file names are not uploaded by the tool. |
| Constant time shifter | Moves every cue by the same offset while retaining text, numbering and cue duration. It does not fix a delay that grows over time. | Works in the browser without sign-in, with the same 500,000-byte and 5,000-cue limits. Negative output times and times beyond 99:59:59,999 stop the operation. |
| Translation and review workbench | Uses the selected language, context and glossary for cloud translation. Save a manual edit to lock that cue before a later translation. | Sign-in is required for translation. UTF-8 SRT up to 500 KiB (512,000 bytes), 3,000 cues and 100,000 source characters. One free trial per account: up to 30 cues and 1,200 source characters. |
Workbench source-character counts exclude whitespace and supported i, b and u tags. A glossary guides wording; it does not guarantee a correct result or automatically rewrite translations already saved.
The local tools may send anonymous usage counts; these do not contain subtitle text or file names. The workbench stores and processes subtitles in the cloud and sends the text, context and terms needed for translation to the model service. Workbench project files are kept for up to seven days; export work you need to retain.
Read the example labels before drawing a conclusion
- Saved English-to-Chinese test excerpt
The small example on the product page is saved output from a translation test using fictional dialogue and a glossary. It shows that particular result and export format. It is not a promise of the same wording or quality for another file.
- Complete 18-cue review lesson
The English source, deliberately flawed Chinese draft and reviewed version were written for the lesson. Three intentional mistakes demonstrate human review choices. They are not unedited AI output, a customer case or a measured error rate.
- Recorded six-cue Chinese-to-English run
A 25 October 2026 run used the local DoneCove API, isolated in-memory SQLite and live DeepSeek. Downloads separate the unedited first output from an assistant-prepared editorial revision and the final result after retranslation; cue 8 was saved, locked and preserved. There was no independent human/native-speaker review. This is not a production-account or Cloudflare-queue test, an accuracy score or evidence for other language pairs.
- Chinese-to-English format reference
The three paired cues and downloadable English reference were written for the page. They demonstrate English-only and bilingual SRT layout; they are not a recorded model translation or an English-quality benchmark.
- SRT QA sample pack
The short files are original fictional fixtures with deliberate structural problems or stated reference results. The manifest describes what the checker should report. With no accompanying video, these files cannot establish audio synchronization or translation accuracy.
Use the recorded run to inspect the saved output and workflow; use the authored references to practice format checks and review choices. Keep unedited model output separate from later edits when assessing translation quality.
A review you can repeat on your own subtitles
- Keep the source and write down the settings
Save the original SRT. Record the actual source language, chosen target language, relevant scene context and preferred names. Use material you have permission to process.
- Check structure before judging wording
Review errors and warnings in the SRT checker. An overlap may be intentional. Confirm that the workbench accepts the actual file; a passing local structure check is not a complete import or compatibility test.
- Read meaning across neighboring cues
Check speaker, negation, omitted words, pronouns, idioms and specialist terms against the source. A name matching the glossary does not establish that the sentence means the right thing. Ask a competent target-language reader to review a language you cannot assess yourself.
- Save decisions you want to keep
Save each manual correction to lock the cue. Later translation skips locked cues. If you deliberately unlock and translate again, review the new output. A change still marked unsaved has not been saved to the project.
- Check the export with the actual video
Compare cue count, original numbers and timestamps. Confirm that the intended language or both languages are present. Play the result with your video to inspect synchronization, reading time, line wrapping and any styling your player supports. A partial export keeps source text for untranslated cues and is not a finished translation.
Use the files and checks
Report a reproducible problem
Contact support@donecove.com with the page or tool, what you expected, what happened, and any displayed error code. For a file issue, start with a short fictional or redacted SRT snippet that reproduces it. Include your browser or player and, for translation, the source and target languages. Do not send account passwords, payment details or confidential footage.
Try the review workflow with a short file
The workspace supports English and Simplified Chinese. Translation requires sign-in. Start with a representative excerpt within your available trial or translation allowance, then compare the exported result with your source and video.
Open subtitle workbench