[OBSERVATION/QUESTION] No embedded captions found in standard YouTube downloaded MP4 files #906

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opened 2026-01-29 16:56:36 +00:00 by claunia · 7 comments
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Originally created by @DarkPhoenixrise on GitHub (Jan 17, 2026).

When running CCExtractor on a typical YouTube video download (file named videoplayback.mp4), the tool processes the file correctly but reports "No captions were found in input".

How to verify

  1. Download a YouTube video directly (e.g., via browser or tool, resulting in .mp4 with no separate subtitle file).
  2. Run: ccextractor videoplayback.mp4 -o output.srt
  3. Output ends with: "No captions were found in input."

Expected behavior
Maybe show a user-friendly message like "This file format (YouTube download) usually does not contain embedded closed captions. Try yt-dlp for subtitles"

Actual behavior
Processes file -> "No captions were found in input."

CCExtractor version
Version: 0.96.5

Operating System
Windows 11

Suggestion
Suggestion: Add a note in README.md or docs about this common use-case and recommend yt-dlp for YouTube videos.

Thanks for the great tool!

Originally created by @DarkPhoenixrise on GitHub (Jan 17, 2026). When running CCExtractor on a typical YouTube video download (file named videoplayback.mp4), the tool processes the file correctly but reports "No captions were found in input". **How to verify** 1. Download a YouTube video directly (e.g., via browser or tool, resulting in .mp4 with no separate subtitle file). 2. Run: `ccextractor videoplayback.mp4 -o output.srt` 3. Output ends with: "No captions were found in input." **Expected behavior** Maybe show a user-friendly message like "This file format (YouTube download) usually does not contain embedded closed captions. Try yt-dlp for subtitles" **Actual behavior** Processes file -> "No captions were found in input." **CCExtractor version** Version: 0.96.5 **Operating System** Windows 11 **Suggestion** Suggestion: Add a note in README.md or docs about this common use-case and recommend yt-dlp for YouTube videos. Thanks for the great tool!
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Owner

@mohithshuka commented on GitHub (Jan 19, 2026):

Build verified on Ubuntu 24.04.

Command:
./linux/ccextractor --version

Version: 0.96.5

@mohithshuka commented on GitHub (Jan 19, 2026): Build verified on Ubuntu 24.04. Command: ./linux/ccextractor --version Version: 0.96.5
Author
Owner

@mohithshuka commented on GitHub (Jan 19, 2026):

Build verified successfully on Ubuntu 24.04.

Command used:
./linux/ccextractor --version

Version: 0.96.5

@mohithshuka commented on GitHub (Jan 19, 2026): Build verified successfully on Ubuntu 24.04. Command used: ./linux/ccextractor --version Version: 0.96.5
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Owner

@aniketchawardol commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026):

@DarkPhoenixrise have you verfied that the downloaded video had embedded subtitles?

@aniketchawardol commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026): @DarkPhoenixrise have you verfied that the downloaded video had embedded subtitles?
Author
Owner

@mohithshuka commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026):

The "Build verified successfully” message only refers to a successful build
and basic execution check.

@mohithshuka commented on GitHub (Jan 20, 2026): The "Build verified successfully” message only refers to a successful build and basic execution check.
Author
Owner

@ionfwsrijan commented on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026):

Hi there,

I’m Srijan Jaiswal, and I’m eager to contribute to this project as part of my open-source contribution. I have reviewed this issue and feel confident that I can provide a solution since I have experience working with similar technologies in my past projects. Could you please assign this issue to me? I’d love to work on it and contribute to the project.

Best regards,
Srijan Jaiswal

@ionfwsrijan commented on GitHub (Jan 23, 2026): Hi there, I’m Srijan Jaiswal, and I’m eager to contribute to this project as part of my open-source contribution. I have reviewed this issue and feel confident that I can provide a solution since I have experience working with similar technologies in my past projects. Could you please assign this issue to me? I’d love to work on it and contribute to the project. Best regards, Srijan Jaiswal
Author
Owner

@sairajsachinpatil commented on GitHub (Jan 25, 2026):

Hi, I’m new to CCExtractor and recently started learning how it works.

From my understanding, CCExtractor extracts captions that are already
embedded inside the video stream. Standard YouTube MP4 downloads usually
do not contain embedded captions, since captions are stored separately,
so CCExtractor correctly reports that no captions are found.

Since this behavior can be confusing for new users, it might help to:
1) Improve the user-facing message when no embedded captions are found, and/or
2) Add a short note in the README or documentation explaining this common
YouTube use-case.

If this approach sounds reasonable, I’d be happy to work on a small
documentation update or a message improvement, based on what you prefer.

@sairajsachinpatil commented on GitHub (Jan 25, 2026): Hi, I’m new to CCExtractor and recently started learning how it works. From my understanding, CCExtractor extracts captions that are already embedded inside the video stream. Standard YouTube MP4 downloads usually do not contain embedded captions, since captions are stored separately, so CCExtractor correctly reports that no captions are found. Since this behavior can be confusing for new users, it might help to: **1) Improve the user-facing message when no embedded captions are found, and/or 2) Add a short note in the README or documentation explaining this common YouTube use-case.** If this approach sounds reasonable, I’d be happy to work on a small documentation update or a message improvement, based on what you prefer.
Author
Owner

@cfsmp3 commented on GitHub (Jan 25, 2026):

No, I don't think we need to change our documentation for this - CCExtractor is not for streaming services, I don't want to bloat our documentation explaining what CCExtractor doesn't do.

@cfsmp3 commented on GitHub (Jan 25, 2026): No, I don't think we need to change our documentation for this - CCExtractor is not for streaming services, I don't want to bloat our documentation explaining what CCExtractor doesn't do.
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Reference: starred/ccextractor#906