What you’ll learn

Why subtitle frame rate matters.
How DaCaPo detects frame-rate differences during XML import.
The difference between Import anyway and Convert subtitle timing.
When changing only the frame-rate tag is the correct choice.
How to convert an existing subtitle track using Timing…
What to review after conversion.

Why subtitle frame rate matters

Subtitle events are timed against a frame rate. If the timing basis of a subtitle file does not match the Timeline, the subtitles may no longer appear at the intended moments.

This does not always mean that the subtitle events themselves need to be retimed. Sometimes the subtitle file contains correct timecodes but has simply been tagged with the wrong frame rate.

DaCaPo therefore distinguishes between changing the frame-rate tag and actually converting the subtitle timing.

Two ways to handle subtitle frame rates

DaCaPo provides frame-rate handling in two parts of the subtitle workflow.

During XML subtitle import

When XML subtitles are imported, DaCaPo compares the subtitle frame rate with the frame rate of the current Timeline.

If they do not match, DaCaPo displays a dialog before completing the import.

For an existing subtitle track

An existing subtitle track can also be retimed using Timing… in the Subtitles tab.

Step 1

Frame-rate conversion during XML import

Import the XML subtitle file using Load Subtitles.

DaCaPo compares the frame rate stored in the subtitle file with the frame rate of the current Timeline.

If the frame rates match, the normal subtitle import continues.

If they do not match, DaCaPo displays a dialog with two choices:

Import anyway
Convert the subtitle timing

This automatic frame-rate comparison applies when importing XML subtitles.

Subtitle frame-rate mismatch dialog during XML import in DaCaPo

Import anyway — change the frame-rate tag only

Choose Import anyway when the subtitle timecodes are already correct for the Timeline but the frame-rate information stored in the subtitle file is wrong.

DaCaPo changes the subtitle frame-rate tag but leaves all subtitle timecodes unchanged.

Example

A subtitle file may be tagged as 24 fps even though its timecodes were actually authored for 25 fps.

If the Timeline is 25 fps, retiming those subtitle events would make them incorrect. In this case, changing only the tag produces the intended result.

Use Import anyway only when you know that the subtitle timecodes already correspond to the Timeline and that the frame-rate tag itself is incorrect.

Convert the subtitle timing during import

Choose Convert the subtitle timing when the subtitles were genuinely authored for a different frame rate from the current Timeline.

DaCaPo retimes all subtitle events to match the current Timeline.

Fade durations are converted as well.

The conversion is performed as part of the import and does not modify the original subtitle file.

The source subtitle file remains unchanged. The converted timing is used by the subtitle track created inside DaCaPo.

Which option should I use?

Use Import anyway when:

The subtitle timecodes already align correctly with the Timeline.
The originating application stored the wrong frame-rate tag.
You want to change the declared frame rate without retiming cues.

Use Convert the subtitle timing when:

The subtitles were genuinely authored at another frame rate.
The subtitle events need to be retimed for the current Timeline.
Fade durations also need to follow the new timing basis.

If you are unsure, confirm how the subtitle file was authored before choosing an option. A wrong choice can produce subtitles that progressively move away from their intended picture positions.

For the complete import workflow, see Import Subtitles into a DCP .

Step 2

Convert an existing subtitle track

Subtitle timing can also be adjusted after the subtitles have been imported.

Open the Subtitles tab and unlock the subtitle track using the lock button in the Timeline header.

Choose Timing… for the active subtitle track.

The Timing controls can be used for track-wide timing operations, including:

Offsetting subtitles by a fixed TC amount.
Converting subtitle timing between 24 fps and 25 fps.

The operation is applied to the complete active subtitle track.

Subtitle Timing controls in the DaCaPo Subtitles tab

For more information about the Subtitles tab, see Edit Subtitles in the Subtitles Tab .

Step 3

Review the converted subtitles

After changing or converting subtitle timing, review the result against picture and dialogue.

Check representative sections at the beginning, middle, and end of the Timeline.

Pay particular attention to:

Subtitle appearance relative to dialogue.
Subtitle disappearance.
Short-duration cues.
Closely spaced subtitles.
Fade timing.
Subtitle events near reel boundaries.

Checking only the first few subtitles may not reveal an incorrect frame-rate conversion. Review later sections of the Timeline as well.

Common problems

The subtitle file says 24 fps, but it already matches my 25 fps picture

The file may simply have been tagged incorrectly. During XML import, choose Import anyway to change the frame-rate tag while leaving the subtitle timecodes unchanged.

The subtitles gradually move out of sync

The subtitle timing may have been authored for a different frame rate. Import the original file again and choose Convert the subtitle timing, or use Timing… on an existing subtitle track when appropriate.

I chose conversion, but the subtitles are now wrong

The original timecodes may already have been correct for the Timeline and only the frame-rate tag was wrong. Reimport the original XML and choose Import anyway.

I do not get a frame-rate warning during import

DaCaPo displays the mismatch dialog when importing XML subtitles whose frame rate differs from the current Timeline frame rate.

I need to move every subtitle by the same amount

Use Timing… in the Subtitles tab to offset the active subtitle track by a fixed TC amount.

Manual reference: Subtitle Tracks; Subtitle Timing; Frame Rate Conversion; Export Timeline.

Reviewed against: DaCaPo User Manual 0.9.2, July 2026.

Convert Subtitle Frame Rates