SDH Subtitles

SDH (subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing) are same-language subtitles that also carry speaker IDs, sound effects and music, delivered as subtitle files for streamers and digital platforms. Netflix makes SDH for its own titles and Filmhub asks for English SDH on every title. We make yours to your platform's spec, in every SDH format.

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Instant quote · SDH Subtitles at $4/min
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$330
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Turnaround 6 business days, rush 4 business days.

  • V/H/S Viral (2014): Subtitles SDH by Caption Easy
  • Obsession (2026): CCSL by Caption Easy
  • Flow (2025): CDSL by Caption Easy
  • Fall (2022): CCSL by Caption Easy
  • Terrifier 3 (2024): CCSL by Caption Easy
  • MobKing (2023): CDSL by Caption Easy
12+ years, 1,000+ films including documentaries and TV episodes View our IMDb credits

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What's in our English SDH

Every word, every speaker and every sound that matters, as a subtitle file. $4/min

  1. 01

    Every word of dialogue Transcribed as spoken, with speaker IDs when the speaker isn't on screen.

  2. 02

    Sound and music Sound effects and music in brackets, song lyrics between ♪ symbols.

  3. 03

    Foreign dialogue handled the industry way Translated with a language tag, such as [in Spanish], when the film subtitles it; otherwise tagged, such as [speaking Spanish].

  4. 04

    Forced narratives included A separate forced-narrative file when your platform asks for one, at no extra charge. Every forced-narrative line is also in your full SDH file.

  5. 05

    Accurate time code Timed at your film's frame rate and start time code, and placed clear of burned-in text.

  6. 06

    Made to your spec Characters per line, reading speed, and speaker-ID and sound-tag style. Without a spec we follow the Netflix English Timed Text Style Guide.

  7. 07

    Every SDH format, one price SRT, iTT, TTML/DFXP, SMPTE-TT, WebVTT, EBU STL and SCC. See subtitle file formats.

  8. 08

    Checked by people Made by people: transcription, sync and QC are each done by a person.

What streamers and aggregators ask for

PlatformWhat it asks forSource
NetflixSDH for its own titles. English SDH follows its English (USA) Timed Text Style Guide, and every forced-narrative line also goes in the full SDH file.Subtitles, SDH and CCEnglish (USA) style guideForced narratives
Prime VideoEnglish captions on every US title. Captions or SDH are preferred over plain subtitles.Captions and subtitles
FilmhubEnglish SDH on every title, whatever its language, as an SRT file.Captions requirements

Checked November 2026, from each platform’s public help pages. Delivery schedules vary. Paste yours and we'll make the files it lists.

SDH Subtitles options to match your delivery spec

Forced narratives included

The separate file streamers and distributors ask for, made with your SDH at no extra charge.

Any frame rate

Timed at your master's frame rate (23.976, 24, 25, 29.97 fps).

Series and trailers

Every episode at the same price per runtime, with the same speaker names across the series.

How It Works

  1. 1Order online in two minutesPick the service, enter your runtime, send a link to the film. An NDA signed by Caption Easy comes with every order.
  2. 23 sets of eyes on every filmMade by people: transcription, sync and QC are each done by a person.
  3. 3Preview, then pay at deliveryPreview a few minutes of your SDH. Once you pay, the complete files are ready to download immediately. Your film is deleted 7 days after delivery.
  4. 4RevisionsWant something updated after delivery, such as a name spelling or a line of dialogue? Tell us and we’ll update your files at no charge.

Indie filmmakers love us

5.0106 Google reviews (opens in a new tab)

  • “We used Caption Easy for our feature film's SXSW premiere & our sales agent's deliverables. The service was friendly, fast & we got everything we needed.”

    Sara SeligmanSara Seligman on IMDb (opens in a new tab)Director, Hotel Cocaine · Producer, Imposters

  • “Caption Easy produced a fantastic product - the dialogue list is detailed, accurate, easy to read and in a great format. We'll definitely use them again!”

    Chuti TiuChuti Tiu on IMDb (opens in a new tab)Producer · Actress, Yellowstone

  • “Thank you Caption Easy, we'll keep coming back.”

    Leonora DarbyLeonora Darby on IMDb (opens in a new tab)Producer, Obsession

What goes into an English SDH file

Every word of dialogue, who’s speaking when it isn’t clear from the picture, and the sounds and music a viewer can’t hear: [door creaks open], [soft piano music], lyrics between ♪ symbols. SDH are delivered as subtitle files for streamers, Blu-ray and digital platforms, which display them in their own subtitle style, so the file carries the words and the timing and the platform sets the look.

We time each subtitle to your film’s frame rate and start time code, keep it clear of burned-in text, and follow your delivery spec for characters per line, reading speed and tag style. Without a spec we follow the Netflix English Timed Text Style Guide, the standard most streamers use.

Foreign-language dialogue in English SDH

English SDH follows the film. If the original version subtitles a line of Spanish for the audience, the SDH translates it and tags the language, such as [in Spanish]. If the audience isn’t meant to understand it, the SDH says so instead, such as [speaking Spanish]. Those subtitled lines also go in a separate forced-narrative file when your platform asks for one, included with your SDH. Need the whole film translated? That’s foreign subtitles.

Questions about your SDH Subtitles? Ask us

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated November 5, 2026

How much do SDH subtitles cost?

English SDH subtitles are priced by runtime: a 90-minute feature is $330, a 60-minute film $245, a 30-minute episode $195 and a trailer $65. Every SDH file format is included, and you pay at delivery, with no deposit to start.

RuntimePrice
Trailer (up to 4 min)$65
5 to 10 min$65 + $20/min over 4 min
11 to 30 min$195 flat
31 to 32 min$195 + $20/min over 30 min
33 to 60 min$245 flat
61 to 80 min$4/min (minimum $245)
81 to 92 min$330 flat
93 to 100 min$330 + $10/min over 92 min
Over 100 min$4.125/min

Regular turnaround is 6 business days (rush 4 business days, $145 more). Prices are in USD. Prices updated November 2026.

How long do SDH subtitles take?

SDH subtitles take 6 business days from when we receive your video. Rush delivery takes 4 business days and costs $145 more. You choose rush when you order.

What are SDH subtitles?

SDH (subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing) are same-language subtitles that also carry speaker IDs, sound effects, music and lyrics, so a viewer who can't hear the audio can follow the film. They're delivered as a subtitle file, such as SRT, iTT or TTML, which streamers display in their own subtitle style.

Do Netflix and Amazon require SDH?

Each platform sets its own rules. Netflix makes SDH for its own titles, and its English SDH follows its English (USA) Timed Text Style Guide. Prime Video prefers SDH over plain subtitles. Filmhub asks for English SDH on every title, as an SRT file. Paste your delivery spec and we'll make the files it lists.

Which SDH file formats do you deliver?

All of them, in one price: SRT, iTT, TTML/DFXP, SMPTE-TT, WebVTT, EBU STL and SCC, at your film's frame rate. See subtitle file formats.

How do you handle foreign-language dialogue in English SDH?

We follow the industry rule. If the film subtitles foreign dialogue for the audience, the SDH translates it and tags the language, such as [in Spanish]. If the viewer isn't meant to understand it, the SDH says so with a tag such as [speaking Spanish]. Need full translated subtitles? See foreign subtitles.

More questions about SDH subtitles (10)
Do you make forced narratives?

Yes. A forced-narrative file carries only the text a hearing viewer needs, such as subtitled foreign dialogue, and every forced-narrative event is also in your full SDH file. It's included with your SDH at no extra charge.

Will my SDH meet my distributor's or streamer's spec?

We make SDH to the spec you send: characters per line, reading speed, speaker ID and sound-tag style, frame rate and start time code. Without a spec we follow the Netflix English Timed Text Style Guide, the standard most streamers use. Paste your spec when you order.

Can you make SDH from subtitles or captions we already have?

Yes. Send them with your video and we'll quote.

My film has burned-in subtitles or on-screen text. Is that a problem?

No. We place SDH clear of burned-in text and don't repeat subtitles that are already in the picture. Tell us about them when you order.

Does SDH include song lyrics and music?

Yes: music is described in brackets and lyrics are transcribed between ♪ symbols when they matter to the scene. If you have the lyrics or a music cue sheet, send them; they're helpful but not required.

What do I need to send you for SDH subtitles?

Only the video is required for SDH subtitles, and low-res is fine. Share it as a link (Frame.io, Vimeo, Google Drive or Dropbox, with a password if it has one), or choose a secure upload link and we’ll email it to you after you order. If you have them, your delivery spec, the script, a cast list and song lyrics are helpful, but none of them is required.

Do you make SDH for TV series and trailers?

Yes, every episode at the same price per runtime, with the same speaker names across the whole series, and trailers from $65.

Who can make English SDH for my film?

Caption Easy does. We’ve made captions and post-production scripts for 12+ years (since 2014), with 1,000+ films, documentaries and TV episodes delivered, and our credits are on IMDb. Made by people: transcription, sync and QC are each done by a person.

When do I pay for SDH subtitles?

You pay for SDH subtitles at delivery, with no deposit to start. You preview a few minutes of your SDH, pay, then download the complete files.

Is my film kept confidential?

Yes. An NDA signed by Caption Easy comes with every SDH order, and your film is deleted 7 days after delivery.

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