Caption conversion

Convert SCC to WebVTT

Scenarist Closed Caption (SCC) to WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks). Convert in the web app, automate with the REST API, or run it offline with the CLI.

Convert SCC to WebVTT free How to convert

Converting SCC to WebVTT brings broadcast closed captions to HTML5 players and HLS streams. WebVTT is a better destination for 608 captions than SRT, because its cue settings can describe where a caption sits on screen. Placement that kept captions clear of lower thirds and graphics doesn’t have to be thrown away.

What carries over

Caption text, with 608 special characters mapped to Unicode
Italics and underline, as <i> and <u>
Placement, expressed with WebVTT cue settings such as line and align
Accurate timing converted from drop-frame timecode to milliseconds

What changes

Roll-up and paint-on captions should be converted to pop-on for web players
608 colors need CSS classes to display. Many players ignore them
Only one caption channel (for example CC1) is converted at a time

How to convert SCC to WebVTT

The same conversion engine powers all three, so a job you set up in the web app produces identical output from the API or CLI.

In the web app

Sign in to the web app, or start a free trial.
Upload your .scc file and select Scenarist V1.0 as the source profile.
Select WebVTT as the target profile.
Review the recommended settings for this conversion.
Run the conversion and download your .vtt file.

With the API

POST /jobs

curl -X POST https://api.closedcaptionconverter.com/jobs \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -F "source=@input.scc" \
  -F 'config={
    "job_type": "convert",
    "source_profile": "Scenarist V1.0",
    "target_profile": "WebVTT",
    "convert_to_pop_on": true,
    "fix_overlap": true
  }'

See API Getting Started for authentication and response handling.

With the CLI

Command line

ccconverter \
  --source input.scc \
  --target output.vtt \
  --source_profile "Scenarist V1.0" \
  --target_profile "WebVTT" \
  --convert_to_pop_on true \
  --fix_overlap true

The CLI runs fully offline on macOS, Windows and Linux. See the CLI docs for every flag.

Recommended settings

Source frame rate	29.97 fps; drop-frame is detected from the timecode.
Convert to Pop-On	Recommended for roll-up sources.
Fix overlap	Prevents stacked cues in players that render overlapping cues poorly.

Format-specific options are covered in Encoding & Decoding Options and Profiles & Formats.

SCC to WebVTT questions

WebVTT, if your player supports it. Most modern players do. It keeps caption placement, and it is the native format for HTML5 <track> and HLS.

Yes. Your packager or streaming platform segments the .vtt file into the HLS subtitle rendition. Closed Caption Converter produces the single source WebVTT file.

Yes. Converting a sidecar SCC file to WebVTT does not affect captions embedded in the video. Many workflows deliver both.

Learn more about these formats

Source

Scenarist Closed Caption (SCC)

What an SCC (.scc) caption file is, how CEA-608 hex codes, 29.97 drop-frame timecode and pop-on/roll-up modes work, and how to convert SCC files.

Target

WebVTT (Web Video Text Tracks)

What a WebVTT (.vtt) file is, its header, cue settings and styling, how it is used with HTML5 video and HLS, and how to convert VTT to SRT, SCC and more.

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