Subtitle search
Remember a line but not the video? Import its subtitles to find the original text and matching timestamp. Subtitle search uses supplied text files; it does not transcribe speech or generate subtitles.
1. Add subtitles to a video
New video: place the video and subtitle file in the same folder with the same filename stem, such as interview.mp4 and interview.srt, then import the video.
Existing video: right-click and choose Import subtitles, or import from the subtitle section in video details. Selecting a file starts the import; encoding and frame rate are detected automatically.
If folder access is requested, select the video's folder in the system picker and retry association. When several files match, ClipSeek uses the first in filename order. Use Replace in details to choose another version.
Supported formats, size, and encoding
Supported formats include SRT, VTT, ASS, SSA, SMI/SAMI, TTML/DFXP, SBV, LRC, and recognizable timestamp-based SUB files. A time axis is required and each file must be no larger than 50 MiB. Frame-based formats such as MicroDVD and image subtitle OCR are unsupported.
Common encodings are detected automatically. If text is garbled or importing fails, save the file as UTF-8 and retry. Failed replacements keep the old track. Removing subtitles clears their library content and index, while keeping the original video and subtitle file.
2. Wait for the subtitle index
Check Build subtitle indexes on import in Settings → Index management. If a track has no index, choose Build search indexes in asset details or bulk actions to build its subtitle index.
A viewable track is not necessarily searchable yet. Automatic indexing affects subsequent imports; turning it back on does not process older assets. See Index management for status and manual indexing.
3. Search for a line
Open Search → Subtitles, enter remembered dialogue, and search. Filter results by folder, tag, or filename.
| Option | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Keywords | You remember one or more words to combine in a query. |
| Exact phrase | You remember consecutive dialogue. Case and whitespace differences are ignored; punctuation must still match. |
| Contains text | You remember a fragment, including part of a word. |
| Word forms | Expand English keywords: love can match loving and loved. Keyword mode only; no translation or synonyms. |
Preview and trim a clip
Select a result card to seek to the matching line's start. Select another line in Subtitle context to jump and play from there.
Choose Trim clip to open the matched range, then adjust the boundaries. Accurate trimming supports Export SRT and Burn subtitles, including both together. SRT files are cropped to the clip and timed from zero; burning permanently renders dialogue into the picture.
Check the save folder before adding the job to the queue. Each clip and its SRT go in a separate subfolder. For more options, see Organize and export.
View and export a complete track
Choose View in video details to read paginated dialogue and export SRT, VTT, or TTML. This exports the complete track with original video timestamps in UTF-8, without font, color, or other styling.
Missing results or unavailable previews
| Symptom | What to try first |
|---|---|
| A video is absent from results | Check that subtitles were imported and their index is ready. |
| Subtitles exist, but the line is missing | Clear filters, shorten the query, or try Contains text. Use the subtitle's original language. |
| A replacement triggers a changed-subtitles message | Search again before previewing, trimming, or reopening the export window. |
| A match appears but the video cannot play | Check that the original video is accessible. Reconnect an offline referenced source. |