Do you need subtitles?

[mtdg]

I am sure when I was trying out software settings (DVDFab and Handbrake) I saw some subtitles on the screen on one of my compressions, not 'proper' subtitles of what was being said but the 'information' on the scene after a sudden cut i.e. '6 weeks later'

When I was watching the file on my PSP nothing was on the screen.

Does that mean it is a good idea to leave subtitles on or was I just imagining it.

[redwudz]

Some DVDs have information for the hearing impaired that describe the scenes. You may have seen those. A few DVDs may have text when the actors are speaking a foreign language, but that is usually part of the video, not subs. If you deselect subs when you do a backup, you normally won't have any text. Subs don't take much space, though, and most players should be able to ignore them unless you specifically select them there.

[Jomapil]

Excuse my intromission, Redwutz.

The fact we can select or deselect a subtitle does it mean the subtitle is not part of the video and we have access to the file of subtitles?
It looks logical that if we can select or unselect the subtitles they are not part of the video and so we have access to it independently of the video.

Thanks and good by.

[JamboUK]

OK... what I don't understand is his..... I have a video (in mp4 format for the record). The first 20 minutes is spoken in Chinese / Mandarin and then reverts to English. The first 20 minutes clearly needs subtitles as my Mandarin isn't up too much :P (as provided by the SRT) BUT once the English part of the film starts they aren't required.

Trouble is the entire film is either with OR without subtitles unless switched off manually. If this video was at the cinema or in DVD format the appropriate English translation would be there and then it would revert to no subtitles.

Is there no way to do the same for mp4? Xvid?? Sorry new to this.

[AlanHK]

Trouble is the entire film is either with OR without subtitles unless switched off manually. If this video was at the cinema or in DVD format the appropriate English translation would be there and then it would revert to no subtitles.

Is there no way to do the same for mp4? Xvid?? Sorry new to this.

Sure. Edit the subtitles.

Normally I'd use Subtitle Workshop, but for this simple cut, just open the SRT in Notepad and delete from the last subtitle you want to the end.