Supertitles are commonly used in opera or other musical performances. In general, they are the translated or transcribed lyrics projected above the scene. They may be used either to translate the meaning of the lyrics to the audience's language, or to transcribe lyrics that may be difficult to understand in the sung form.
Supertitles are usually displayed using a supertitling machine. The text must be prepared beforehand as in subtitles. These machines can be used for events other than artistic performances, when the text is easier to show to the audience than it is to vocalise.
Supertitles contrast subtitles, the latter of which are used more often in film and television.
