SVCD with hardware subtitles (captioning)

[microkid]

Hi, in every document about SVCD you can read that SVCD supports up to 4 subtitles. But, it does not explain HOW to add them to your SVCD. The Philips video-cd specs mention they should be in the CDI or EXT directory. I searched the internet but could not find any clue on how to do this. I can't believe I'm the only one wanting hardware subtitles on his SVCD. Note that I don't want the subtitles in the stream encoded, like with DivX. I want them outside the stream, so I can select the subtitles I want.

I'd like to know a few things:
- is this really possible?
- what program can be used to rip the subtitles and put them in the correct format?
- any information on this is welcome.

Thanks!

[pepehdez]

I'm very interested in the subject too.

Please Help.

[adam]

Yes it is definitely possible to do but not all dvd players support soft encoded subtitles.

The only programs which can do this are I-Author and Philips svcd designer, both which are not free.

There are a few programs which can rip the subs off the vob files, allow you to customize things like size and color, and convert them to a format compatible with either I-Author or Philips svcd designer. From there you simply load the file into the multiplexor along with your audio and video and use the sub button on your remote to switch between subs. For more info visit the sub guides at http://www.doom9.net

Svcd designer is still sold I believe but it only works on NT so its not for everyone. I-Author was made by Enreach but it is no longer produced, although you might find it being sold in Asia still. Both programs are also quite expensive I believe. Warez versions of both can easily be found on the internet if you choose to go that route.

[poopyhead]

use virtual dub with the vob sub filter. you need to rip the .ifo file along with the .vob files.

1) smartripper rips vobs and ifo
2) dvd2avi extracts .wav and creates .d2v
3) load .d2v in vfapi-enc to create .avi file
4) load the .avi file into virtual dub
5) run the vobsub filter in virtual dub and it'll add subs to the rip
6) use virtual dub to frameserve into tmpgenc
7) encode normally

i believe all these programs are free, and at least my pioneer dvd player supports it

[microkid]

Cool!! I will give it a try.
Thanks!

[adam]

poopyhead arent those hard encoded subs, meaning you cant turn them off and you can't switch between sub streams? He was asking about soft encoded subs and as far as I have ever heard, I-Author and philips svcd creator are the only programs which can do this.

[poopyhead]

adam, o heh...yea...didn't know he was talking about soft....i just add subs to foriegn films or english films with those heavy english accents...so hard encoded subs r wut i use...my bad.

[microkid]

Poopyhead, no worries. It is very hard to do hardware encoding of the subtitles, so I'll go for software encoding. Your way is pretty neat! Although there is one problem: I don't like to make an in-between AVI file. Is there a way to add the subtitles to TMPGenc like the Virtualdub plugin? That saves me from making a intermediate AVI file which is very large, is takes additional time.
Best option would be something like DVD2AVI + subtitles => TMPGenc.
Cheers!

[Truman]

VFAPI creates a very small "fake" avi, the conversion takes only a couple of seconds.
Use VirtualDub's frameserver as poopyhead suggested, do not save the avi.

[microkid]

Aha! Now it makes sense to me: VirtualDub grabs the frames from the vob, adds the subs, and passes it on to TMPGenc.
Wow, I have to try that tonight asap!!

Thanks!