QuickTime Text Tracks

• Begin by creating text in a plain text editor (TextEdit, WordPad, BBEdit)


• Import/Open the saved text file in the QuickTime Player. The default behavior of the QuickTime Player is to present the text blocks based on paragraphs (hard returns), each with a duration of 2 seconds, and placed against a black background.


• Under the File menu choose Export and select "Text to Text". Be sure to click the Options button and make the following selections:





• Be sure to change the file name to reflect that this file will include the text with descriptors and time stamps.


• Open this newly exported file in your text editor


• Add and/or modify descriptors and time stamps. Check the folder "urls" on the CD for a complete list of text descriptors at Apple's site http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tools_tips/tutorials/textdescriptors.html
• If you are synchronizing your text track with other movie elements, it might be helpful to open the movie in QuickTime Player and also open the Movie Properties-Time dialog box to show the current time more accurately.


• Once you have completed editing the text descriptors and time stamps, save this final version of your text file.


• Import/Open in QuickTime Player

Typical Uses for Text Tracks

• Subtitles


• Simple Banner with Hyperlink


• Scrolling Credits with MIDI music track