vcd - av synch, subtitles, frame size

[willie]

My intput file is -

divx 1154.8 kbps, size 608x256@24 fps Audio: a52 (no idea what that means) 448kbps, 48khz, stereo

File size is 690mb

I would like to output it to VCD and add subtitles to it.
1st question: can I add subs to it? and if so how?
I asked it to "burn" the sub title srt file I chose but it didn't take to my final product although I was able to preview it...
2nd. When i tried the presets it gave me an out of synch file
3rd. What about frame size... the preset changes the "ratio" of the objects making the subject look "skinny" ... can I constrain the size of the file to keep it from "warping"

I know this may be silly questions but i sure would appreciate some help. If you can recomend what to read up on I would be glad to do it. I read Wizemans guide but it did not clear my doubts. I appreciate some guidance., Thanx

Willie

[major]

can I add subs to it? and if so how?

Converting to VCD: no (at least for now). Converting to CVD, or SVCD: yes. Simply open the subs in "Load subs", select a sub palette IFO file and enable "Decode with mplayer".

2nd. When i tried the presets it gave me an out of synch file

You said your DivX movie is 23.98 fps. So you must also set 23.98 fps (NTSC FILM) as encoding framerate.

3rd. What about frame size... the preset changes the "ratio" of the objects

The framesize is standardized. What you can do, is enabling or disabling the "Letterbox" option. Also, you can use DivX Doctor II on your AVI file and encode the resulting .mov wrapper, which should result in better aspect ratio handling.

[willie]

Thank you Major!
I will try your suggestions on question #3. I apologize for making you type for the thousand time that VCD is a no-no with subtitles and it's svcd that handles subs!... (I did a forum search and found that you had typed it several times, yet you keep your patience...)
On that subject:

if there is no subpalette file added will the sub work? because I only have an srt file and thats it.

Once again i thank you for your typing!
willie

[major]

if there is no subpalette file added will the sub work? because I only have an srt file and thats it.

It will work, but the subtitle color and antialiasing can be wrong. If that's the case, try to load as palette file a random .IFO file taken from any DVD. Launch the encoding and use "Preview" to check, and stop if the result is not good, and try again with a palette file.

[willie]

Will do Major. Thanx again for your time and attention. I will let you know what happened for the benefit of others with the same prob.

Willie