Problem with adding subtitles to an AVI file

[Woodstock]

Hi to everyone

I really hope anyone could help me with this because I'm going crazy trying to figure the problem out. I've tried searching for the solution here and in other places, but couldn't find an answer

I'm trying to add subtitles to an avi file using VirtualDub. I didn't use to have a problem doing this, so I have no idea what's wrong now. The problem is with several different files, so it's not a defected file.

This is what I do:
I open VirtualDub, and open the movie.
I then get the next message:



I think I used to get this message before, when I was able to successfully add subtitles, but I'm not completely sure.

Anyway, next I go to Video --> Filters and I add the sub file (I have VobSub installed)
Video ---> Compression and choose DivX 5.2.1 codec
I then go to Audio ---> and choose Full processing mode
Audio ---> Compression and choose MPEG layer-3, 56kBit/s, 24,000 Hz, stereo

But when I try to save the new AVI, I get another error:

"Error initializing audio stream decompression: The requested conversion is not possible. Check to make sure you have the required codec. "

I've used the same codecs in the compression in the past and I didn't have any problems. And I do have those codecs installed. I've tried using other audio codecs, but I get the same error. If I use Direct stream copy in Audio, the subtitles are out of sync with the movie. I really don't know what the problem is...

I know this was rrrreeeaaallly long, and I'm sorry, but I wanted to write down everything. So if anyone made it through to here and is willing to help, I'll be forever grateful!!!

Thanks so much in advance
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[Skith]

I think you have to decompress the audio to WAV first, then recompress to MP3.

If you are using VirtualDubMod, choode Streams -> Stream List -> Select the audio stream, then click Save to Wav.

That will give you an uncompressed audio stream, you will have to add that back to your video file, and then encode it to MP3 (or so I would assume).

but then again, I could be completely wrong, as I have little experience with this.

[Cunhambebe]

VirtualDub warns you probably because this kind of AVI file (MPEG4) is more compatible with MP3 CBR and not VBR. I can only guess here...but if I were you, I would demux the audio file and recompress it to MP3 CBR; mux it again with the video and then add whatever you want. You can try it

[Woodstock]

Thanks a lot to both of you for answering!

I don't really know how to change the audio on the file itself (I'm not using VirtualDubMod) and I checked the properties of the AVI file and those are it's properties:



(no MPEG4, so why the error message?)

And if it worked before, shouldn't there be a way to add the subs without changing the audio on the file?

Thanks again

[mats.hogberg]

Your prob is totally unrelated to subs. VirtualDub doesn't like VBR audio. That's all.
Simplest solution (at least to explain) is to first load the AVI in GoldWave, then save wav. (You can do the same in VDub, but it's harder to explain...)
Load the AVI in VDub, select WAV audio, and your wav from Goldwave. Set the audio compression to your liking (mp3?) and continue as usual when you add subs.

/Mats

[Woodstock]

Again, thanks for answering!

mats, I've done what you said, and it did work, only the file has gone from being 350MB to 630MB (so if I try to add subs to a movie which is 700MB, I won't be able to burn it on a CD). Plus, it takes a really long time.

Is there any way to add the files without changing the audio? Like I did before?

[mats.hogberg]

To add permanent subs to an AVI, it has to be reencoded. VirtualDub can't reencode a source with VBR audio, without the risc of audio sync problems.
If you get twice the file size when reencoding, you've set compression and/or bitrate for audio and/or video to something else than what's in your source.
Encoding "anything" to AVI takes time. Make sure you select the same compression and bit rate for both audio and video when you reencode, and you'll get the same size after reencoding.
As most AVI player software and hardware supports external subs these days, I see no big point in adding permanent subs to a file already AVI (even if I use to add them when I go from DVD to AVI at times.), specially as reencoding just lowers video (and audio) quality.

/Mats

[Woodstock]

O.K, I'll try decompressing with the same bitrate. The reason I add the subs is that my DVD does read divX, but it's shit and won't add the subs by itself. So maybe I should just save and buy a proper DVD

Thanks a lot for all your help, you're great!!!

[celtic_druid]

VirtualDub can't handle VBR mp3 because Avery Lee doesn't want it to. I'm sure if you search you can fine some statements of what he thinks about VBR audio in avi's.

To add subs the audio doesn't need to be re-encoded. Just use VirtualDubMod instead.

[Woodstock]

O.k, I've installed virtualdubmod, but how do I add the subtitles to the file and keep it in sync?

[tbjerret]

Use this guide: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272736

It worked for me after failing with dvdSanta, DivxtoDVD and Virtualdub.

[Baldrick]

just updated my guide to virtualdubmod, https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=272736&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=
basicly the same as virtualdub but you don't have to worry about vbr mp3 audio.

[tbjerret]

Perhaps I should add that when you get the same error message as in your first post, you are allowed to answer NO!

[Woodstock]

It worked
I'm so happy
Thanks so much to everyone, this forum is great!!!