How can I remove closed captioning without re-encoding

[imkira3]

I need a way to remove closed captioning from video files without losing video quality, so that crosses all encoders off the list. My only real options I think is remuxing and transcoding. So, does anyone know of a program that can do this? Btw, I am NOT talking about normal embedded subtitle files. They are different somehow, but they still show up in most video players as subtitles, here is an example: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47041069/clip.mkv

[Baldrick]

Can you disable the subtitles?

THen just use mkvtoolnix / mkvmergeui, delete the subs, make a new mkv. No reconversion.

[imkira3]

I tried MKVToolnix, it doesn't see the closed captions. I figured it would see them as subtitles, but it doesn't see them at all. I read online somewhere that MKVToolnix only supports certain types of subtitle files.

[Cornucopia]

Subtitles and Closed-Captions are not the same thing, whether technologically or semanticly. But, being "closed" means that you don't see them until/unless you "open" them by decoding them. The CC decoders are usually only available on a Display, and usually only work using composite/S-Video (analog) inputs. It isn't available through HDMI.

If you were wanting to convert from CCs to more standard subs, start with SCC tools & CCextractor/CCextractorGUI.

Scott

[Baldrick]

I see. It's probably a part of the video stream as real closed captions.

I tried remux with avidemux but it didn't help....

[Cornucopia]

Yeah, it's either in top lines (visible vertical interval) of 640x486 encodes, in the DV auxdata packets, the MPEG (video) UserData packets, or are muxed into sidecar packets in a TS or MP4 container. Maybe other ways (but those are the most common).

Scott

[imkira3]

So then how do I get rid of them? All I want is to hide them, so only the subtitle options I want listed are listed. I know closed captions are technically different, but popular players (like my favourite player, Potplayer) display it as an option in the subtitle list. There are several reasons I want it gone, I sure hope it's a possibility.

[imkira3]

I just tried a program called Re-Stream, but sadly, no luck.

[usually_quiet]

Restream could remove the closed captions in your test clip when I tried it. However, Restream won't open an MKV file directly. It only works with demultiplexed MPEG-2 video. You need to use an MKV de-multiplexer to separate the audio and video from the MKV into elementary files. Once that is done open the resulting .m2v video file in Restream. Find the User Data section in the lower right-hand corner of the window. Select "Remove" from the User Data drop down list. Type a name the file or use the default name. Click the "Write" button. Re-multiplex the new video file with the elementary audio file to create a new mkv.

[sheppaul]

What's the reason for removing closed caption? I've tried it with other subtitles but it's hard to guess the reason as subtitle can be selected by configuration. Or it can simply be turned off.

[imkira3]

Thank you so much, that actually worked after I changed that setting, thanks! As for why I want them removed, first off, closed caption just sucks. I dunno if this is my player only, and I could probably fix it with a setting if it is, but it displays line 1 below line 2. In other words, your reading up instead of reading down. Secondly, it will always say "Closed Caption" in the subtitle list if I leave it there, and I can't rename it to the name of the language it's in. I'm trying to make best quality possible, perfect dual audio and dual subtitle files first for myself (starting with all my favourites) and then share it with other p2p users so they can enjoy it to. I want 2 menu options, English and Japanese, both audio and subtitles. I want it to say "English" and "Japanese" and that's it. I don't want an extra unnecessary option there for no reason at all, that would just be a bummer, my file could never be truly perfect. But it can be now! Thanks alot guys, I'm sooo glad I found this forum, you guys definitely know what your talking about, and you have a great freeware collection on here too, which appears to be centered around lossless video, it is so hard to find that information online, most people just assume encoding is the only way and stick with it. Until I came here, I hadn't even heard the term "demux".