Typesetting on DVD?

Aryudsoh · Member Joined: 01 Jul 2004

I'm currently subbing an anime and would like to use softsubs for the DVDs. However I have a problem when it comes to translating signs etc. that are in the background.

Is there anyway to typeset when doing softsubs? (i.e. Position the subtitles where I want them on the screen) Or will I have to hardcode the subs for the signs into the video which would require re-encoding and quality loss.

kschang · Member Joined: 08 Nov 2002 Location: United States

EDIT: Ignore all this, info's wrong. Look later.

Softsubs cannot really be positioned.

Your best bet is simply state in the sub like

Quote:

Sign says: Fujiwara Tofu Shop

Sign says: Fresh tofu / Fried Tofu / Hand-made Daily

Aryudsoh · Member Joined: 01 Jul 2004

Yeah I thought as much. Thanks.

How about if I want to have subs at the top and bottom of the screen simultaneously and in different colors or something to differentiate the signs or something?

adam · Member Joined: 13 Sep 2000 Location: United States

You can put subs anywhere on the screen that you want. The easiest thing to do is just take a screengrab from that scene and import it into any imaging software. Manually create your own little subpic to cover up the sign and then import that into your authoring software. Exactly how you do it will depend on what authoring software you use, but its very easy to do.

The problem though is that if the camera angle moves at all while the sign is on the screen it will ruin the effect. It would be too difficult to get the sub to move with the camera and the slight delay between subs would differ from one player to the next. But since this is anime its possible that sign remains totally static for that scene, in which case this is definitely possible to do.
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Aryudsoh · Member Joined: 01 Jul 2004

That sounds like an option. Would these still be removable using this method?

adam · Member Joined: 13 Sep 2000 Location: United States

These would be softsubs so you could toggle them on and off, or remove them from the DVD entirely through reauthoring.
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Aryudsoh · Member Joined: 01 Jul 2004

That's great. Now that I know it's possible. I'll mess around with it and try it out. Thanks for all your help.

Abond · Member Joined: 05 May 2004

This small application may help for corrections after the authoring:
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=104058

Baldrick · Administrator Joined: 09 Aug 2000 Location: Sweden

or just type dvdsubedit.....and it will be clickable....

kschang · Member Joined: 08 Nov 2002 Location: United States

I'll eat my own words. There's also MaestroSBT.

NOTE TO SELF: Subtitle channel on DVD VOBs is actually a series of overlaid BITMAPS known as subpictures over the main video stream. Thus, the words, and even pictures, can go almost anywhere provided you have the patience and the tools to manipulate each and every "subpicture".

DVDSubEdit, which was linked, is one such tool, the other is MaestroSBT.

mikiem · Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Location: United States

"I have a problem when it comes to translating signs etc. that are in the background. "
"Is there anyway to typeset when doing softsubs? (i.e. Position the subtitles where I want them on the screen) "

If I understand your post correctly, there was a similar thread at doom9 where the goal was to emulate dual sub tracks I think, have some appear normally and others in various places around the frame, sort of like CC positioning. Unfortunately not being an anime fan, I never paid that much attention and can only tell you that the thread's there and it went on for a while -- maybe a source of info anyway.

If that is what you're after, subs in different locations in the frame, not all at top or bottom etc., DVDA will allow you to adjust individual sub positions. As you're dealing with a sizable frame, could have text anywhere within that frame.

You might also check out the new version of DVDLab Pro... Only a guess as I'm very unsure about this, going from memory, but I *think* it allowed some individual sub placement, though from text or bitmap I'm unsure.

Aryudsoh · Member Joined: 01 Jul 2004

mikiem · Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Location: United States

"Yeah. That's pretty much what I'd like to do. I'd like to have the option on the DVD to

(1) watch with a subtitle track for the dialogue

(2) watch with a subtitle track for the signs

(3) and watch with both sub tracks simultaneously."

Using DVDA (maybe DVDLab Pro?) could create 1 sub track with reg subs, one with signs, third with both, having them switchable.

Aryudsoh · Member Joined: 01 Jul 2004

Great. Didn't know how possible that would be and thought I might just have to make do with everythingone sub track. Wouldn't have been the end of the world but this is great news. I'll try in DVDLab Pro first as I've used it before.

Another question. For signs that are moving. Is it possible to import Flash animations into a subtitle stream to try and get the subtitle to scroll smoothly?

Cornucopia · Posted: Jan 05, 2006 17:07

Aryudsoh · Member Joined: 01 Jul 2004

Wow. Sounds quite complex. At least I know its possible. I may need to ask for more help when I get round to that phase. Thanks for the info.