YouTube Discontinues SRV3 Caption Format
YouTube has ceased support for its custom SRV3 caption format, a feature previously utilized by creators for advanced subtitle functionalities.
Reported Impacts
- Reports indicate that the option to upload SRV3 files in YouTube Studio is no longer available.
- Some users have stated that existing SRV3 caption files are being deleted from active videos.
- The SRV3 format enabled creators to apply distinct colors, outlines, drop shadows, and custom positioning to subtitles.
- This format was notably used by VTuber channels and creators in Japanese and Korean markets for direct translations.
- The change is expected to significantly impact international creators, including channels such as Hololive.
Community Reaction and Company Silence
- User comments express dissatisfaction with YouTube's standard caption editor and raise concerns about the potential reliance on AI captions.
- YouTube has not released an official statement regarding the discontinuation of the SRV3 format.
- A recent announcement from YouTube detailed a mobile redesign, which appears unrelated to the caption format changes.