Feedback: guides-subtitle_creation_by_word_count

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/guides/subtitle_creation_by_word_count
Category: guides
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:36:53 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:36:52 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis & Feedback

Overall Assessment

This documentation provides a functional solution but lacks the depth and clarity expected for technical documentation. The structure is basic, and several critical areas need improvement to enhance user experience.

Critical Issues & Recommendations

1. Missing Prerequisites & Setup Information

Issues:

• No mention of required Python version
• Missing information about API key acquisition
• No audio file format requirements or limitations

Recommendations:

## Prerequisites
- Python 3.7 or higher
- AssemblyAI API key ([Get one here](link-to-signup))
- Audio file in supported formats: MP3, MP4, M4A, WAV, FLAC, etc.
- Audio file size limit: 5GB maximum

2. Poor Code Structure & Documentation

Issues:

• Functions lack docstrings
• No type hints consistency
• Magic numbers without explanation
• No error handling

Improved Example:

def generate_subtitles_by_word_count(
    transcript: aai.Transcript,
    words_per_line: int = 6
) -> list[str]:
    """
    Generate SRT subtitle entries with custom word count per line.

    Args:
        transcript: AssemblyAI transcript object
        words_per_line: Maximum words per subtitle line (default: 6)

    Returns:
        List of strings formatted for SRT file output

    Raises:
        ValueError: If words_per_line is less than 1
    """
    if words_per_line < 1:
        raise ValueError("words_per_line must be at least 1")

    # Implementation with error handling...

3. Inadequate Error Handling

Missing:

• API key validation
• File existence checks
• Network error handling
• Empty transcript handling

Add Error Handling Section:

## Error Handling

Common errors and solutions:

### API Key Issues
```python
try:
    transcript = transcriber.transcribe("./my-audio.mp3")
except aai.APIError as e:
    print(f"API Error: {e}")
    # Handle authentication or quota issues

File Not Found

import os
if not os.path.exists("./my-audio.mp3"):
    raise FileNotFoundError("Audio file not found")

### 4. Limited Examples & Use Cases

**Current Issues:**
- Only one basic example
- No VTT format support mentioned
- No customization options explained

**Enhanced Examples Section:**
```markdown
## Examples

### Basic Usage (6 words per subtitle)
[Current example]

### Short Subtitles for Mobile (3 words)
```python
mobile_subs = generate_subtitles_by_word_count(transcript, 3)

Longer Subtitles for Desktop (10 words)

desktop_subs = generate_subtitles_by_word_count(transcript, 10)

Generate VTT Format

def generate_vtt_subtitles(transcript, words_per_line):
    # VTT-specific implementation
    output = ["WEBVTT", ""]
    # ... rest of implementation

### 5. Missing Technical Details

**Add Technical Information:**
```markdown
## Technical Details

### Timing Accuracy
- Word-level timestamps accurate to milliseconds
- Start time: First word's start timestamp
- End time: Last word's end timestamp

### File Output
- Encoding: UTF-8
- Line endings: Unix-style (\n)
- SRT format compliance: SubRip standard

### Performance Considerations
- Processing time: ~1-2 seconds per hour of audio
- Memory usage: Minimal for word-level data

6. Improved Structure Recommendation

# Create Custom Length Subtitles

Brief introduction explaining the purpose and when to use this approach.

## Table of Contents
- [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Step-by-Step Tutorial](#tutorial)
- [Advanced Usage](#advanced-usage)
- [Error Handling](#error-handling)
- [Examples](#examples)
- [API Reference](#api-reference)
- [FAQ](#faq)

## Prerequisites
[Detailed requirements]

## Quick Start
[Current quickstart with improvements]

## Step-by-Step Tutorial
[Enhanced tutorial with explanations]

## Advanced Usage
### Custom Timing Logic
### Multiple Output Formats
### Batch Processing

## Error Handling
[Comprehensive error scenarios]

## Examples
[Multiple real-world examples]

## API Reference
### Function Parameters
### Return Values
### Exceptions

## FAQ
### Common Issues
### Performance Questions
### Format Questions

7. Missing User Guidance

Add:

• When to use word-count vs character-count subtitles
• Best practices for different platforms
• Accessibility considerations
• Performance optimization tips

8. Code Quality Improvements

Issues:

• Inconsistent variable naming
• Missing constants
• No configuration options

Improvements:

# Add constants
DEFAULT_WORDS_PER_LINE = 6
MAX_WORDS_PER_LINE = 15
SRT_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT = '%02d:%02d:%02d,%03d'

# Add configuration class
class SubtitleConfig:
    def __init__(self, words_per_line=6, format_type="srt"):
        self.words_per_line = words_per_line
        self.format_type = format_type

Summary of Priority Fixes

1. High Priority:

   • Add comprehensive error handling
   • Include prerequisites and setup information
   • Improve code documentation with docstrings

2. Medium Priority:

   • Restructure with better navigation
   • Add multiple examples and use cases
   • Include technical details and specifications

3. Low Priority:

   • Add FAQ section
   • Include performance considerations
   • Add advanced customization options

These improvements would transform this from basic code documentation into comprehensive, user-friendly technical documentation that guides users through successful implementation while anticipating and addressing common issues.

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