Feedback: guides-subtitles

Documentation Feedback

Original URL: https://www.assemblyai.com/docs/guides/subtitles
Category: guides
Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:36:22 pm

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Claude Sonnet 4 Feedback

Generated: 05/08/2025, 4:36:21 pm

Technical Documentation Analysis: AssemblyAI Subtitles Guide

Overall Assessment

This documentation provides a good foundation but has several gaps that could frustrate users. The structure is logical, but key information is missing or unclear.

Critical Issues to Address

1. Missing Prerequisites & Setup Information

Problem: Users may fail at the first step without proper context.

Fixes needed:

• Add supported audio/video formats upfront
• Include file size limitations
• Specify Python version requirements
• Show how to securely handle API keys (environment variables)

# Add this example:
import os
import assemblyai as aai

# Secure API key handling
aai.settings.api_key = os.getenv("ASSEMBLYAI_API_KEY")

2. Incomplete Error Handling

Problem: No guidance on what happens when things go wrong.

Add these sections:

# Error handling example
try:
    transcript = transcriber.transcribe("./my-audio.mp3")
    if transcript.status == aai.TranscriptStatus.error:
        print(f"Transcription failed: {transcript.error}")
    else:
        print(transcript.export_subtitles_srt())
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error: {e}")

Include common error scenarios:

• Invalid API key
• Unsupported file format
• File too large
• Network timeout issues
• Transcript still processing

3. Missing Practical Examples

Current problem: Only shows basic usage without real-world context.

Add complete examples:

# Complete workflow example
import assemblyai as aai
import os

def generate_subtitles(audio_path, output_format="srt"):
    """Generate subtitles from audio file"""
    transcriber = aai.Transcriber()

    # Submit transcription
    transcript = transcriber.transcribe(audio_path)

    # Wait for completion and handle errors
    if transcript.status == aai.TranscriptStatus.error:
        raise Exception(f"Transcription failed: {transcript.error}")

    # Export subtitles
    if output_format.lower() == "srt":
        return transcript.export_subtitles_srt()
    elif output_format.lower() == "vtt":
        return transcript.export_subtitles_vtt()

    # Save to file
    filename = f"subtitles.{output_format}"
    with open(filename, "w") as f:
        f.write(subtitles)

    return filename

4. Unclear Advanced Features

Problem: The chars_per_caption parameter is mentioned but not properly explained.

Improvements needed:

• Show before/after examples of different character limits
• Explain when to use different limits (mobile vs desktop)
• Add example of API request with parameters
• Document default character limit

5. Missing Integration Examples

Add practical integration sections:

<!-- HTML5 Video with VTT subtitles -->
<video controls>
    <source src="video.mp4" type="video/mp4">
    <track src="subtitles.vtt" kind="subtitles" srclang="en" label="English" default>
</video>

6. Incomplete Format Documentation

Enhance format explanations with visual examples:

SRT Example:
1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:04,000
Welcome to our video tutorial

2
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,000
Today we'll learn about subtitles

VTT Example:
WEBVTT

00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:04.000
Welcome to our video tutorial

00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:08.000
Today we'll learn about subtitles

Structural Improvements

1. Add Quick Start Section

## Quick Start (2 minutes)
1. Install: `pip install assemblyai`
2. Get API key from dashboard
3. Set environment variable: `export ASSEMBLYAI_API_KEY="your_key"`
4. Run example code

2. Reorganize Content Flow

1. Quick Start - Get users running immediately
2. Understanding Formats - Move detailed format info after basic usage
3. Step-by-Step Guide - Current content with improvements
4. Advanced Features - Character limits, timing adjustments
5. Integration Examples - HTML5, YouTube, video editors
6. Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions

3. Add Missing Sections

Troubleshooting Section:

## Common Issues

### "Invalid API Key" Error
- Verify key is correct in dashboard
- Check environment variable is set
- Ensure no extra spaces in key

### "Unsupported Format" Error
- Supported formats: MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, etc.
- Maximum file size: 2GB
- Use conversion tools if needed

Performance Section:

## Performance Tips
- Larger files take longer to process
- Check transcript.status before exporting
- Use webhooks for large files
- Consider audio quality for better accuracy

4. Improve Code Examples

Current issues: Examples lack context and error handling.

Better approach:

# Complete, production-ready example
import assemblyai as aai
import sys
import time

def create_subtitles_with_progress(file_path, chars_per_caption=None):
    """Create subtitles with progress tracking and error handling"""

    transcriber = aai.Transcriber()

    print(f"Starting transcription of {file_path}...")
    transcript = transcriber.transcribe(file_path)

    # Show progress
    while transcript.status not in [aai.TranscriptStatus.completed, aai.TranscriptStatus.error]:
        time.sleep(5)
        transcript = transcriber.get_transcript(transcript.id)
        print("Processing...")

    if transcript.status == aai.TranscriptStatus.error:
        print(f"Error: {transcript.error}")
        return None

    print("Transcription completed! Generating subtitles...")

    # Generate both formats
    srt_content = transcript.export_subtitles_srt(chars_per_caption=chars_per_caption)
    vtt_content = transcript.export_subtitles_vtt(chars_per_caption=chars_per_caption)

    # Save files
    with open("subtitles.srt", "w") as f:
        f.write(srt_content)
    with open("subtitles.vtt", "w") as f:
        f.write(vtt_content)

    print("Subtitle files created: subtitles.srt, subtitles.vtt")
    return transcript.id

if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) != 2:
        print("Usage: python subtitle_generator.py <audio_file>")
        sys.exit(1)

    create_subtitles_with_progress(sys.argv[1], chars_per_caption=32)

5. Add Validation and Best Practices

## Best Practices

### File Preparation
- Use clear audio with minimal background noise
- Ensure speakers are clearly audible
- Consider audio format (MP3, WAV recommended)

### Subtitle Formatting
- Use 32 characters per line for mobile
- Use 42-50 characters for desktop
- Keep timing natural to speech rhythm

User Experience Improvements

1. Add estimated processing times - “Typical processing time: 1/4 of audio length”
2. Include cost information - Link to pricing for transparency
3. Add validation helpers - Functions to check file format/size before upload
4. Provide testing data - Sample audio files for users to practice with
5. Add troubleshooting flowchart - Visual guide for common issues

This enhanced documentation would significantly reduce user friction and support tickets while providing a more professional, complete experience.

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