Format
In the format part of the publishing process, you will define the attributes for your content bundle for distribution and management.
DBL supports 4 content types: text, audio, video, or braille. Each format type will have different attributes - we’ll walk you through each one.
Text format details
- Content edition (optional) - what type of work is it?
- First Translation: The very first time a work is translated from its original language into a new target language.
- New Translation (Non-Revision): A completely fresh, from-scratch translation of a work that has been translated before, rather than an update to an existing version.
- Revised Translation: A version of an existing translation that has been edited or updated to improve accuracy, modernize the language, or correct errors.
- Study Material: Supplemental audio or text—such as character guides, historical context, or discussion questions—designed to deepen the listener's understanding of the primary work.
- Audience (optional) - for whom is the content intended?
- Basic: Designed for early readers or those with limited vocabulary, using simple sentence structures and the most fundamental words.
- Common: Written in everyday, contemporary language that is easily understood by the average adult or general audience.
- Common-Literary: A blend of accessible language and more sophisticated vocabulary, bridging the gap between casual reading and high-level prose.
- Literary: Features complex themes, elevated vocabulary, and a focus on artistic style, intended for advanced or scholarly readers.
- Liturgical: Specifically phrased for formal worship, religious ceremonies, or public prayer, often using traditional or ceremonial language.
- Children: Tailored for young audiences, prioritizing age-appropriate concepts, clear storytelling, and engaging, easy-to-follow language.
- USX version (optional) - which version of the United Scripture XML format are you using?
Audio format details
- Dramatization type
- Dramatized: a cinematic production featuring a full cast, sound effects, and music, often adapted for a more theatrical experience.
- Non-dramatized: a standard, word-for-word reading of the text focused on the original prose without background music or sound effects.
- Single-voice narration: a solo performer reads the entire book, providing distinct voices for all characters and the narrator.
- Compression (optional) - the file format for the files being uploaded. Select MP3, WAV, FLAC, or AAC
- Chapter-based files (optional) - define whether each audio file corresponds to a single scripture chapter
- Timing files (optional) - these data files synchronize the written text with the audio recording, allowing features like real-time text highlighting (Whispersync) and easy chapter navigation. For more information on timing files, click here.
- Track configuration - this describes how the various elements of the track are organized for playback. Select either 1/0 (mono), Dual mono, 2/0 (stereo), or 5.1 surround.
- Bit rate, Bit depth, and sampling rate (optional)
- Bit Rate (The "Resolution" of Audio): Measured in kbps, this is the total amount of data processed per second; it is a combination of sampling rate and bit depth that determines the overall fidelity and file size.
- Bit Depth (The "Color Depth" of Audio): Measured in bits (e.g. 16-bit or 24-bit), this determines the number of volume levels available for each snapshot; a higher bit depth provides greater detail between the quietest and loudest parts of a recording.
- Sampling Rate (The "Frame Rate" of Audio): Measured in Hz, this is how many snapshots of a sound wave are taken per second; a higher rate allows for a more accurate reproduction of high-frequency sounds.
Video format details
When uploading video content, the Format part of the process is two-fold: video format details and video stream details.
- Container - select the file format for your content. You can choose MP4, MPEG, or MPEG + MP4
- Chapter-based files (optional) - define whether each video file corresponds to a single scripture chapter.
- Timing files (optional) - these data files synchronize text—such as subtitles or transcripts—with the video timeline, enabling features like real-time caption highlighting, searchable transcripts, and precise scene navigation. For more details on timing files, click here.
Video stream details
- Codec: The compression technology used to shrink large video files for efficient storage and streaming, then decompress them for playback (e.g., H.264 or HEVC).
- Bit Rate: The amount of data processed per second of video, typically measured in kbps; a higher bit rate generally improves visual clarity but results in larger file sizes.
- Frame Rate: The frequency at which individual images (frames) are displayed per second, measured in fps; higher rates result in smoother motion, while lower rates (like 24fps) provide a cinematic feel.
- Screen Resolution: The total number of pixels that make up the video frame (e.g., 1920×1080), which determines the sharpness and level of detail in the image.
If you wish to also define the audio stream details for your video content, click ‘show more options’ at the bottom and fill out the details. These details are explained in the above section, ‘Audio format details.’
When you have completed the relevant sections, click ‘Save and Continue’ in the bottom right to move on to the Scripture part of the process.
Braille format details
- Braille grade — Does the content use contractions?
- Yes, grade 2 — Uses braille contractions to shorten words
- No, grade 1 — Each word is fully spelled out without contractions
- Liblouis free translation and formatting software for braille texts. DBL uses it to support the Braille upload process.
- Liblouis resource files — Upload any files Liblouis needs to support the braille translation process (tables, configuration files). Accepted formats:
CTB,CTI,UTB,DIS. You can upload multiple files; each appears in a list below the upload box with its file size and a Delete option.
- Liblouis resource files — Upload any files Liblouis needs to support the braille translation process (tables, configuration files). Accepted formats:
- Liblouis table file — Select which uploaded file is the Liblouis table from a dropdown of your uploaded files.
- Liblouis table name — Enter the displayed table name for the Liblouis table, in English (e.g., "Welsh, Grade 1").
- Liblouis version — Enter the version of Liblouis used to generate the braille content (e.g., "3.3.0").
- Hyphenation and Number Formatting - Defines how words are split and how numbers are marked in the braille content.
- Hyphenation dictionary (optional) — Upload dictionary files that define language-specific word break rules for braille formatting. Accepted formats:
TXT,CSV,DIC,JSON. - Table name — Enter the displayed table name for the hyphenation dictionary (e.g., "Hyphenation Dictionary – English (US)"). Appears once a dictionary file is uploaded.
- Number prefix character — Enter the character used to indicate the start of numeric values in the braille files.
- Number prefix in margin — Should the number sign be used before numbers in the margin?
- Yes – use number prefix in margin
- No – do not use number prefix in margin
- Hyphenation dictionary (optional) — Upload dictionary files that define language-specific word break rules for braille formatting. Accepted formats:
- Content Layout and structure - Sets the rules for how braille scripture is formatted.
- Chapter number presentation — Select the braille dot position used for chapter numbers:
- Standard, full-cell height display
- Use the lower 4 dots of each braille cell
- Chapter number first — Should the number appear before the localized word for "chapter"?
- Yes – number precedes the word for "chapter"
- No – number follows the word for "chapter"
- Verse separator — Enter the character(s) separating verses that appear on the same line (e.g.,
[ ]). - Include introductions — Include introduction sections? Yes / No
- Chapter number presentation — Select the braille dot position used for chapter numbers:
- Versed Paragraphs
- Should each verse appear in its own paragraph?
- Yes – one verse per paragraph (default)
- No – paragraphs contain multiple verses
- Book code — Select Paratext book codes for verse-specific formatting (e.g., "Gen," "All books").
- Click Add another book code to apply different rules to additional books; each additional entry can be removed individually.
- Should each verse appear in its own paragraph?
- Page Layout - Sets line length, spacing, and margin rules for braille pages.
- Characters per line — Maximum number of characters allowed on one line (e.g., 40).
- Lines per page — Maximum number of lines per braille page (e.g., 25).
- Default margin width — The default margin width in number of characters (e.g., 2).
- Blank verso last line — Leave last line of verso pages blank?
- Yes – leave last line blank
- No – use the entire page
- Heading carryover lines — Number of lines from the bottom of the page to carry headings to the next page (e.g., 3).
- Poetry Formatting (optional) - Specifies formatting for continuous verse, to help distributors understand formatting requirements.
- Does this content use poetry formatting?
- Yes – use poetry formatting
- No – do not use poetry formatting (default)
- If Yes is selected, additional fields appear:
- Line continuation indicator spacing — Select the space between the final word and the continuation indicator (dropdown).
- Start line indicator (optional) — Character(s) used to indicate the beginning of each poetic line.
- Line continuation indicator (optional) — Character(s) used to indicate that a poetic line continues onto the next physical line.
- Section break indicator (optional) — Character(s) marking stanza or poetry section breaks.
- Does this content use poetry formatting?
- Character Styles (optional) - Define custom symbols used to mark emphasis and reference points in braille.
- Emphasized word indicator (optional) — Character(s) placed before individual emphasized words.
- Start emphasized passage indicator (optional) — Character(s) marking where a longer emphasized passage begins.
- End emphasized passage indicator (optional) — Character(s) marking where a longer emphasized passage ends.
- Footnotes and Cross-References (optional) - Define footnote and cross-reference markers.
- Footnote caller symbol (optional) — Character(s) indicating footnotes.
- Cross-reference caller symbol (optional) — Character(s) indicating cross-references.
When you have completed these fields, click 'Save and Continue' in the bottom right corner to move on to the next step.
About Timing Files
Timing files provide further information regarding audio or video files within a particular content item. The name of these timing files is typically in the following format:
timingfiles/{book_code}/{book_code}_{chapter_number}.txt
When applied to Titus chapter 1, for instance, this would look as follows:
timingfiles/TIT/TIT_001.txt
The DBL does not enforce this structure, however, and timing files are themselves optional. An example of what such a timing file might look like for 1 Corinthians 2 is shown below:
1CO_002.txt
Marker file version: 1 Time format: Time Chapter Title 00:00:01.00000000 Heading 01 00:00:07.47645833 Verse 01 00:00:11.50906250 Verse 02 00:00:20.83395833 Verse 03 00:00:29.71420833 Verse 04 00:00:35.21816667 Verse 05 00:00:43.47091667 Heading 02 00:00:49.90391667 Verse 06 00:00:51.72085417 Verse 07 00:01:04.01131250 Verse 08 00:01:12.24783333 Verse 09 00:01:21.11868750 Verse 10 00:01:35.41475000 Verse 11 00:01:46.00000000 Verse 12 00:01:57.24050000 Verse 13 00:02:07.18189583 Verse 14 00:02:22.74737500 Verse 15 00:02:35.51545833 Verse 16 00:02:40.56145833