The selectable subtitles dilemma.

[Jella]

Okay, I'll admit I am rather new to S/VCD authoring. But, if you can help out...

I want to add selectable subtitles to movie clips I am burning onto SVCD. The original material has been captured from an 8mm tape using Adobe Premiere 6.5, into AVI format, non-compressed.

My next step is to use Ulead's DVDWorkshop to create the chapters, menus, etc and burn it all on disc as an SVCD.

However, Ulead does not support adding selectable subtitles. How can I do this, AND use Ulead to compile the disc? Or can I burn the disc first, rip it and THEN add subtitles? I don't want to put the disc together using a shitload of freeware tools when I paid-for ones that do most of the work much more easily, and with guaranteed results.

This is really important to me, so I hope someone can point me in the right direction.

[Vejita-sama]

First, not all standalone players suppoer SVCD subtitles. A few more support CVD subtitles (which btw you can use with a SVCD). I sugges that you first check to make sure that selectable subtitles (either CVD or SVCD) work on your player. If CVD subtitlers work I would stick with them as they are more supported.

Second, their are only two programs I know of to add selectable subtitles to a SVCD/CVD: I-author and WinSubMux. I-author is no longer being sold (outside of the PRC/China), WinSubMux is freeware.

I know of NO WAY to do this in Ulead (maybe someone else does). I don't use Ulead but I assume that once you have your encoded MPEG2 file (muxed video and audio) you load it in Ulead then author the SVCD correct?

Do you already have the subtitles (srt, ssa, js, zeg, etc format) ready? Or do you want to create original subtitles?

If so here's what I suggest you do:

1) D/load SubStation Alpha [SSA] (do a google search) and WinSubMux (http://www.doom9.org)

2) Encode MPEG2 video as normal (muxed file containing video and audio).

3) If you have a subtitle script ready, convert it to SSA format. If not, then enter you subtitles in SSA.

4) Open the SSA script in WinSubMux, select your MPEG2 file, and mux the video/audio/subs together.

5) Take the newly muxed MPEG2 file (w/ subs) and author in Ulead as normal.