Application to add subtitles to a video?

[yetanotherlogin]

Hello

I need to help a friend add subtitles to a video. She's a total newbie when it comes to video.

A search in the archives didn't return a lot, but I understand that the choice is between hardcoded, "permanent" subtitles, ie. embedded within the video file, or softcoded, ie. they live in an independent, text file. I'd rather use softcoded, so that the video doesn't need to be re-encoded.

Which application would you recommend?

Thank you.

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Edit: I found Jubler and Subs Factory. Are they the best for non-experts?
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Edit: The file is MPEG-4, and the codecs are H.264 + AAC

[Baldrick]

Handbrake.

(it will reconvert the video....so jubler and subs factory are better)

[enim]

A search in the archives didn't return a lot, but I understand that the choice is between hardcoded, "permanent" subtitles, ie. embedded within the video file, or softcoded, ie. they live in an independent, text file. I'd rather use softcoded, so that the video doesn't need to be re-encoded.

In addition to Baldrick's reply, MKVToolnix for mkv and GPAC (MP4Box) for mp4.

[yetanotherlogin]

Thanks for the tips.