Standards Profiles
A standards profile defines the set of rules that subtitles must follow. Scene Cut ships with two ready-to-use profiles, and lets you customize every parameter.
ATAA Cinema and Netflix
Both profiles cover the same types of rules, but with different thresholds tailored to their context — French-language cinema for ATAA, international streaming for Netflix.
| Parameter | ATAA Cinema | Netflix |
|---|---|---|
| Characters per line (max) | 40 | 42 |
| Reading speed (max) | 15 CPS | 17 CPS |
| Reading speed (min) | 4 CPS | 4 CPS |
| Minimum duration | 16 frames | 20 frames |
| Maximum duration | 5 s | 7 s |
| Minimum gap | 4 frames | 2 frames |
| Scene cut safety | Disabled | Enabled (12 frames, in-point only) |
| Default language | French | English |
Scene Cut Safety
Scene cut safety deserves special attention because it works differently depending on the profile:
With Netflix, a 12-frame safety zone surrounds each scene cut. If the beginning of a subtitle falls within this zone (without being exactly on the cut), a warning is raised. The subtitle's out-point is not checked.
With ATAA, scene cut safety is disabled by default. Technically, the safety zone (3 frames) and the tolerance zone (2 frames) leave only a single frame of margin — which effectively means no active checking. If this control is needed, it's better to increase the safety zone in the profile settings.
In both profiles, a tolerance zone of 2 frames allows a subtitle to start exactly on the scene cut — which is actually the recommended position.
Customizing a Profile
Every parameter can be adjusted individually in the project settings. This lets you adapt the rules to specific requirements — a broadcaster with its own constraints, a particular format, or a deliberate editorial choice.
The active profile is specific to each project. Modifying a profile does not affect other projects.
Showing or Hiding Validation
The Standards button in the timeline toolbar has a dual effect:
- Validation indicators are hidden on the timeline — blocks revert to a neutral color
- Manipulation constraints are lifted — subtitles can be moved, resized, and positioned freely, without automatic blocking in case of overlap or insufficient duration
This is useful for working freely at first, then re-enabling standards to check compliance. The subtitle list continues to display alerts regardless.