Encoding a DivX with bigger subtitle.

[Ashernor]

Hello,
I have an issue here. I have few mkv (aac + h264 + 1280x720) that i like to convert to DivX to play them on my PS3, there is no problem i can convert my files and it run great on my PS3, but if i want to add subtitle (srt file) there are too small. I know it's a known issue and i should use other mencoder binaries, but none work for me (i obtain "blank" files when i launch the process) and in think it's because of source file.

What should i do to have bigger subtitles?
Thanks!

[rumplestiltskin]

You need the older mencoder binary from the .9s ffmpegX release. This will permit you to set a larger font size (as well as alternate fonts).

[Ashernor]

As I said, I tried and it doesn't work, it seems that those binaries doesn't support my files.

[BeardFan]

You will have to do a double conversion, because the older mencoder version that does the subtitles right can't handle some of the latest h264 files.

My suggestion: Encode the source to DivX without subtitles using the latest mencoder version. Then encode this DivX-file to a new DivX adding subtitles with the old mencoder version.

[Mr Luberman]

I don't know if this'll work on a PS3 (as I don't have one). But I tend to use ConvertxtoDVD to author & that program does let you increase font size & colour to subtitles & is also able to convert .mkv's & it's quick too. I've personnally always had very good results.

Hopes this helps?

[artymex]

Ashernor to my knowledge and personal experience (I've spent almost THREE WEEKS looking all the possible solutions for a problem like yours -to include subtitles in either AVI files or DVD authored movies with ffmpegX-) up to date there is NO WAY to manage properly subtitles with even the latest version of ffmpegX (I also can -by starting from a separate HD- use Jaguar -Mac OS X v10.2.8- with the proper version of ffmpegX and its binaries for this option, and there is no change at all). Sorry but it seems that this choice has not been well translated, implemented or compiled from its sources (as the Windows and Linux version of the same program works seamlesly with subtitles). At presente there is no choice for us, the Mac users, for any free software that could do this work. Our only option is to take the jump into the OpenSource tools and learn how to compile this kind of options to make the job. Of course, some of the OpenSource apps still use command line inputs, and is not obvious that you could find a tool with GUI interface. Really a pity for the Mac community.

And Mr Luberman, I aggree that ConvertXTODVD is a highly awarded tool. The only "little" problem is that it is a WINDOWS SOFTWARE ONLY. There is no Mac Version (at least after its developer). Then for us, the Mac users, we NEED first to install Windows on our Mac's, in order to use this software. Not the best solution, even if at present any Mac is able to work natively on any platform (Mac OS X, Windows or Linux), because of... the need to look for another OS to install (more $$$ to spend on a more expensive OS -Windows has always been more expensive that Mac OS-). In this case, there are also many excellent OpenSource apps that can be installed on the Mac, and you do not need to spend more money (of course, you may need to install some adds to the "basic" Mac OS X, but nothing more complicated that to install Windows, and... at no cost!; the only drawback is that, as already mentioned, these OpenSource tools have no GUI interface). And, if you still want to process your files into the Windows environment, you may want to give a try to a FREE software like DVD Flick that I've used for DVD authoring with very good results (of course, it has its drawbacks, but first of all, it's free and... which software is default/bug free?). I'm not sure that it could manage the MKV files (I'm still not tryed), but in this case you could first convert them with ffmpegX and then to post-process with DVD Flick. There is an excellent user guide at http://beginwithsoftware.com/videoguides/dvd-flick-guide.html .

Cheers!

[Ashernor]

Thanks all! As you said artymex there is no way to obtain a good result. So for the moment i take my girlfriend's PC and use VirtualDub. MayBe i'll try to compile and use mencoder but it does not seem really easy ^^