It seems impossuble to hardcode subs in an mkv file

[jagojon3]

I have an mkv file and I need the subtitles to be hardcoded. I found a writeup to use virtualdubmod with a subtitler plugin to do this, but whenever I open the mkv file in virtualdubmod I get an error after a few seconds. I have tried on a coupler other computers and get the same error every time I open the file. Is there any other way to do this? I have the subs in an srt file and also converted them to an ssa file, I am completely out of ideas of how to re-encode the movie with the subs hardcoded though. Any help is appreciated!

[jagabo]

VirtualDubMod's MKV support is outdated. Try using AviSynth and DirectShowSource() instead.

[creamyhorror]

What are you eventually intending to play the hardcoded file on?

There are a few converter programs that will hardsub SRT and SSA/ASS subs onto videos, I believe. Maybe Xvid4PSP will work for you.

The other, more manual method is to use Avisynth as jagabo mentioned. The basic procedure is:

1) Install Avisynth.
2) Install MKVextract.
3) Install VSfilter (or locate the copy that you have already; it comes with many codec packs).
4) Create an Avisynth script that overlays the subs on the video.
5) Use a converter program to open the script (which acts like a video source) and encode it in whatever format you choose.

[jagojon3]

This will eventually be played on my Vista media center PC hooked up to the living room TV.

I have installed all of the programs that you listed, but I'm not sure how to create a script and do steps 4 and 5. Any convenient write-ups to do this? Thanks

[poisondeathray]

xvid4psp will probably be easier for you, but here is the manual method

Install haali media splitter, ffdshow, avisynth

Open up a text file in notepad in the same directory as your video, and type the following, changing the names to match. Save it, then change the extension from .txt to .avs

DirectShowSource("video.mkv")
TextSub("video.srt")

Feed that .avs script into any encoder that accepts avs scripts. I'm not sure what format you want for your media center

[creamyhorror]

Here's a more detailed guide: http://forums.animesuki.com/showthread.php?p=950499#post950499. It uses PS3 Video 9 to do the final encoding, but you can use any encoder that accepts AVS scripts.

But really, if you're going to be playing it on a *media center PC*, why do you even need to hardsub? Hardsubbing is for standalone players that don't support softsubs. Doesn't your Media Center support them?

Hardsubbing damages video quality so you should avoid it if at all possible.

[jagojon3]

The PC does support subs, but it is a pain to use them from within media center and it cannot be controlled in there from the remote. I tried setting the mkv subtitles track to "forced on" with mkvtools but it still won't display.

[creamyhorror]

The PC does support subs, but it is a pain to use them from within media center and it cannot be controlled in there from the remote. I tried setting the mkv subtitles track to "forced on" with mkvtools but it still won't display.

Have you installed DirectVobSub/vsfilter? You need that to display subtitles. If you have it already, try opening its configuration window and choose "Always auto-load".

This looks like it'll also help solve your problem with VMC's navigation:

Media Control is a plugin for Microsoft Media Center that adds lacking features such as : fast forward/rewind for any video format, resume video, switch between audio/subtitles streams, sets brightness/contrast, improves picture quality...

The plugin is built on the top of an open source decoder : FFDShow Tryouts.

I'd suggest looking at an alternative like MediaPortal in the future, which doesn't lack those features AFAIK.

[jagojon3]

I've looked into media control previously, doesn't work for my setup. I do have directvobsub installed.

[creamyhorror]

And you've enabled Always Auto-load in DirectVobSub configuration?

[jagojon3]

And you've enabled Always Auto-load in DirectVobSub configuration?

Yes

[Supreme2k]

Start by using "someone" instead of stupid-speak, and STOP YELLING.