Problem when adding subtitles to AVI file with AVIRecomp

[TheVideoGirl]

Hello,

I have prepared subtitles for an 8-minute AVI file. I used SubtitleWorkshop to make the subtitles and they are in .srt format.
When I use AVIRecomp to put the subtitles and the AVI together, the subtitles in the output video are wayyy too blurry and low-res. The original AVI file is admittedly low-res but aren't the subtitles independently added on top of the AVI? In other words why are they not high-quality? What can I do to make them perfect and sharp?

I tried saving the subtitles as .sub and as .ass but again the subtitles in the output AVI are too low-res.

I would appreciate any help.

[jagabo]

Subs are added at the video's frame size. If you're watching full screen they are then enlarged along with the picture.

[TheVideoGirl]

But they are not sharp to begin with.
Here is a screenshot:



This is for a paid work assignment and I need to make the subtitles as sharp and clear as possible. I am trying to find a solution as this subtitle quality is unacceptable.

[jagabo]

What's the resolution of your video? Even your first image appears to be scaled up from some lower resolution. Many players automatically play very small videos scaled up to a larger size.

[TheVideoGirl]

The original video is 320x240, 328 kbps, frame rate 23 frames/second. The file is 52 MB.
But does the original video quality matter? Aren't subtitles placed "on top" of the video?
Is there a way to have high-res subtitles on top of a low-res AVI?

[jagabo]

The original video is 320x240... But does the original video quality matter?

Yes.

Aren't subtitles placed "on top" of the video?

Yes. In your case at 320x240. If you viewed the video at 320x240 the subs would look fine. But even the first image you posted shows that frame enlarged almost 3x. So the subs are 3x fuzzy. The resizing algorith looks really poor though. How did you make those images?

Is there a way to have high-res subtitles on top of a low-res AVI?

Yes, enlarge the video frame before adding subtitles. I don't think AviRecomp can do that. VirtualDub can enlarge the frame, add subs, then reencode. Another possibility is to use soft subs (ie, your SRT file). Then the player will overlay subs as the video is played. That can be done at the playback frame size so the subs can be clear.

[TheVideoGirl]

Ι made the images by making a new Photoshop file where I pasted the screenshot. I did resize the image for the purposes of this thread. I am not sure I am answering your question though.

I will try Virtualdub and see what happens.

Thanks!

[jagabo]

Ι made the images by making a new Photoshop file where I pasted the screenshot. I did resize the image for the purposes of this thread. I am not sure I am answering your question though.

How do the subs look when you view the video at 1x (320x240)?

I will try Virtualdub and see what happens.

VirtualDub is more complex than AviRecomp. You open the video, then add the resize filter, add the VOB Sub filter, set a compression codec, and finally save.