CCExtractor/ccextractor

Free

CCExtractor - Official version maintained by the core team

FreeFree tier

Type

Open Source

Visit Website GitHub (38 stars)

About CCExtractor/ccextractor

CCExtractor is an open-source tool designed to produce subtitles for TV recordings from virtually any source worldwide. It supports a wide range of formats and aims to keep up with evolving standards. The tool can extract subtitles in real-time, translate subtitles, extract closed captions from DVDs, and convert closed captions to subtitle files. It is primarily used via a command-line interface, but a Windows GUI is also available. The project is actively maintained on GitHub with support for multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS. Installation is available via package managers such as WinGet, Chocolatey, and Scoop. CCExtractor also supports WebVTT output with optional X-TIMESTAMP-MAP headers for HLS workflows.

Key Features

Extract subtitles in real-time from video streams

Translate subtitles into different languages

Extract closed captions from DVDs

Convert closed captions to standard subtitle formats

Support for WebVTT output with X-TIMESTAMP-MAP headers for HLS

Available via multiple package managers (WinGet, Chocolatey, Scoop)

Command-line interface and Windows GUI

Built with C, C++, Python, and optional Rust components

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free and open-source with active community support
Supports a wide variety of video sources and subtitle formats
Real-time extraction capability
Cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS via WSL or native builds)
Multiple installation options including package managers
WebVTT output with HLS support for streaming workflows

Cons

Primarily command-line based; GUI is separate and may have fewer features
Building from source can be complex, especially with Rust dependencies
Limited official documentation beyond GitHub README and website

Best For

Creating subtitles for TV recordings and broadcastsLanguage learning by generating subtitles from foreign language contentAccessibility for individuals who are hard of hearingArchiving and converting closed captions from DVDs

FAQ

What does CCExtractor do?

CCExtractor extracts subtitles and closed captions from video recordings, including TV broadcasts, DVDs, and digital video files. It outputs standard subtitle formats like WebVTT.

How do I install CCExtractor?

Precompiled binaries are available from the official website. On Windows, you can also install via WinGet, Chocolatey, or Scoop. Source code can be built using the instructions in the GitHub repository.

How do I use CCExtractor to extract subtitles?

Run the command 'ccextractor input' where 'input' is the video file. This will extract subtitles. Use '--timestamp-map' flag for WebVTT headers in HLS workflows. More options are described on the project website.

Is CCExtractor free?

Yes, CCExtractor is completely free and open-source software, available under an open-source license.