how to hardsub mpeg-2 video using vsfilter?

[lowlyfme]

I have a question regarding how to hardsub. I am converting my MKV files to MPEG-2 format prior to hardsubbing as was recommended. I was also recommended to try hardsubbing using VSfilter (so I can keep my styling and positioning of subtitles), but I can't figure out how to use it? Maybe I'm missing something, but it doesn't appear to be a program you open to run it. Do I need another program to work alongside VSfilter? How do I use it? I'm seeing things being mentioned about the VsFilter.dll file, but I don't know if any of them pertain to me since I'm working with MPEG-2 format. SO, how do I use VSfilter to hardsub my .ass text onto the video? I used Subtitle Workshop for editing and positioning and it appears to have the styling already included in the .ass file. Other than that I couldn't find any advice on how to work with my MPEG-2 file.

I was also recommended to use a tag on my subtitles to help prevent mosquito noise. Do I include this tag to each individual subtitle?

I'm so lost and any help would be great!

[El Heggunte]

There are three ways, the first one is via Avisynth,

http://avisynth.org.ru/docs/english/externalfilters/vsfilter.htm

the second one is via VirtualDub (rename VSFilter.dll to VSFilter.vdf) + an external encoder,

the third one is via an application that supports DirectShow input (e.g., ye olde TMPGenc Plus) ---

--- i.e., after installing VSFilter as a DirectShow filter, place moviename.mkv and moviename.ass in the same folder,
and then open the MKV file in the video converter.

[lowlyfme]

Okay. I couldn't figure out the avisynth method, so I'll try the next one. So, basically I need to have VirtualDub and Vsfilter on my computer. I'll need to find the file named VSFilter.dll and rename it to VSFilter.vdf) and then use an external encoder? Where could I find one? Any recommendations? And after all this, I can author and burn it to DVD?

[El Heggunte]

DarrellS is the VirtualDub guru in this forum , but while he doesn't chime in,

you could take a look at http://forums.virtualdub.org/index.php?act=ST&f=3&t=18840

For MPEG-2 encoding from VirtualDub, you won't have many choices besides ffmpeg and Mencoder : - /

Authoring DVD-Video a different story though, and you must begin by creating standard-compliant streams,

https://www.videohelp.com/dvd

[videobruger]

And after all this, I can author and burn it to DVD?

Is this your end goal?

Write a .avs script like:

LoadPlugin("C:\Program Files\AviSynth_258\plugins\vsfilter.dll")
DirectShowSource("C:\v\aa.mkv")
TextSub("C:\v\aa.ass")

Start a new project in DVDStyler. Drag-drop the .avs file to the title manager area at the bottom of the screen. Make an .iso image to test.

(Actually I use a renamed version of xy-VSfilter.dll as vsfilter.dll)