Adding English subtitles to existing DVD on a Mac?

[Eug]

Not sure if it's worth it, but if it's possible, I'd consider doing it.

There is a movie that has never been released on Region 1 DVD that I'd like to get. I actually have a copy of it with English subs, but they're burned-in subs from a VHS copy from way back. I converted it from VHS myself in the early 2000s to DVD, but as you can imagine, the quality is poor.

It has been released before in PAL DVD format, but I can't find it anywhere anymore - out of print. One place actually lists it, but doesn't actually let you buy it. I now see that there is a region 4 version of it in NTSC, but only with Spanish subs.

I'd be willing to consider buying the Region 4 NTSC version, and then decrypting it and then type in the English subs myself. I'd prefer to do this on a Mac, but do have an old PC in the storage closet I could use if absolutely necessary.

Anyone do this on a Mac? I've never done it on either a Windows PC or a Mac, but would be willing to give it a go. Mind you that's assuming the Region 4 release has a reasonable transfer. I'm also assuming that forced subtitles wouldn't be an issue, since I can just strip away the Spanish subtitles if necessary. (I have no idea if the subs are forced or not, but I'm hoping they're not burned in too.)

I'd also be willing to do it as an MP4 file if necessary.

[AlanHK]

First thing to do is to see if the subs are available online.

Check sites like
http://www.opensubtitles.org/
http://www.allsubs.org/
http://www.subbiee.com/

or just Google for "your movie title" (or "IMDB number") and "subtitles".


If not lucky, I don't know about Mac software, but on PC Subrip can OCR burnt in subs. Never perfect, but should save you a lot if time even if you have to do a lot of corrections.

Note that if you did find subs online they were probably made in this manner, and depending on how careful the ripper was, may have a few, or a lot, of mistakes.

[Case]

Get your subtitles in .srt format.
Rip the DVD main feature to a single .mpg file.
Get ffmpegX.
Use the Author tool in the Tools section to add your .mpg and .srt .
You should get a VIDEO_TS folder with selectable subtitles.
(ffmpegX does not provide a DVD menu.)
The selectable subtitles may be turned off by default. You could use MyDVDEdit to change this behavior.

[Eug]

First thing to do is to see if the subs are available online.

Check sites like
http://www.opensubtitles.org/
http://www.allsubs.org/
http://www.subbiee.com/

or just Google for "your movie title" (or "IMDB number") and "subtitles".

Nothing.

If not lucky, I don't know about Mac software, but on PC Subrip can OCR burnt in subs. Never perfect, but should save you a lot if time even if you have to do a lot of corrections.

OK, I'll break out the PC (or VMware) and try Subrip. If that works well, that will save a lot of time, and make the Region 4 spanish disc a much more enticing buy.

Get your subtitles in .srt format.
Rip the DVD main feature to a single .mpg file.
Get ffmpegX.
Use the Author tool in the Tools section to add your .mpg and .srt .
You should get a VIDEO_TS folder with selectable subtitles.
(ffmpegX does not provide a DVD menu.)
The selectable subtitles may be turned off by default. You could use MyDVDEdit to change this behavior.

I'll give this a shot if Subrip works. Hopefully the sync is maintained.

[jman98]

WTF is up with all these posters who ask for help but won't name what they want help about? Since you prefer to not name the film, I can only imagine what sort of perverted filth you want to watch. But had you bothered to name it, you might be interested to know that sometimes out of curiosity I do web searches for subtitles when people say they can't find them and sometimes I can find the subs they want. Not always, but it is possible. I also know of vendors outside of the USA who sell stuff that is out of print here but in print there, but since you don't want to name it, fine, do without my help.

[Eug]

Yeah, hardcore pr0n. J/K

It's Ermo.



This place lists the PAL DVD, but it is not available. This other place also lists it, but the "Add To Cart" button does nothing, presumably because it's out of print.

AFAIK, it has never been available on DVD in Region 1, but it has been available before in Region 4. The movie is from 1994, and has been available on laserdisc.