AVI.NET: Forced or External Subtitles ?

[siratfus]

I'm a newbie at conversion, but I'm starting to figure things out. I've been choosing external subs with avi.net. After it's done encoding, I would move the movie file elsewhere... For awhile I couldn't figure out why there were no subtitles. I quickly found out about the .idx and .sub files that needs to be in the same folder as the movie.

Here are my questions:

1. What's the difference between .idx and .sub? They both need to be in the same folder as the movie avi?

2. Is this basically how all divx/xvid works? Is there a program that would allow you to merge all the sub files and movie files into 1, so you don't have to manage too many files? That would also allow you to turn on or off the subtitles when you're watching it in Windows Media, Real Player, etc. ??

3. I was assuming selecting FORCED subtitles would burn in the subtitles permanantly. However, everytime I select forced, the final product does not have any subtitles. I played it in Real Player, Creative media player, Windows, Media Center and Nero Showtim... None shows any subtitles. Am I doing anything wrong? Or, do I not understand what the Force option really means?

Thank you in advance!

[redwudz]

1. The .sub and .idx are usually associated with VobSub and are image based. This usually requires two files, the image and the sync file. Both would need to be included. They likely give you more options for appearance than do text based subs.

2. The .srt files are usually associated with SubRip and are text based, using standard ASCII text, so they only need the single file. This is what I use when I do have to include subs. They may be more limited on style or other options.

I found that information here: http://www.annodex.net/node/8 Other than that, I don't know much about subs.

3. Forced subtitles seem to relate to DVDs. Got this from one of Sefy's guides:

2.) forced subtitles – these are stored in the vob file along with normal subtitles. The only difference is that they are specially marked so that these subtitles will appear even if you have the subtitles option disabled. If you are viewing an English movie and a person in the movie is speaking a language other than English, these forced subtitles will appear. Sometimes in a Sci-Fi movie, an alien character is speaking a make-believe language, and therefore subtitles are also necessary to that the viewer can know what is being said.

A link to sefy's guide: http://www.afterdawn.com/guides/archive/sefy/forcedsub.cfm

Then permanent subtitles from the same page:

3.) permanent subtitles – this is where the subtitles are physically part of the video file/stream, such as on a VHS tape or commercial VCD. You have no option as to whether you view them or not, other than covering up the bottom of your television with masking tape.

I dislike the permanent subs as they may be improperly placed and there's little you can do to get rid of them. Using .srt subs and just putting the AVI in a folder along with the subs seems the best, though awkward solution.

EDIT: And sub experts, correct any of this that's wrong. I rarely do subs.

[siratfus]

redwudz, thanx for the info! If you work with avi.net, or anybody else who is an expert with avi.net.. Please correct me if I'm wrong:

Choosing force or external in avi.net is not an option of having permanant or removable subs. What it actually means is that if you want subs, then you need to click external. If you know the movie has a weird 3rd language such as Aliens speaking and there are subs that pop up for this, if you want these subs, then you need to click Forced also.

Am I getting it?