Add subtile (srt) file to existing mkv file

[Hansen]

Hi
Is it possible to add a subtitle file (srt) to an existing mkv file?
I can easily embed the srt file in a new mkv file, but it is quite time-consuming.
If it is not possible just to add a srt file to the mkw container can anyone explain why?
I’m using MKVToolNix ver. 9.5.0
Cheers
/Jonas

[sneaker]

Is it possible to add a subtitle file (srt) to an existing mkv file?

Without the time-consuming remuxing? No.

If it is not possible just to add a srt file to the mkw container can anyone explain why?

It cannot just be added at the end. The srt file needs to be splitted into the individual lines and interleaved with the video and audio blocks through the whole file. The clusters and cues need to be adjusted for all tracks, headers need to be added and updated. It is a complicated process.

https://www.matroska.org/technical/diagram/index.html

[netmask56]

Hi
Is it possible to add a subtitle file (srt) to an existing mkv file?
I can easily embed the srt file in a new mkv file, but it is quite time-consuming.
If it is not possible just to add a srt file to the mkw container can anyone explain why?
I’m using MKVToolNix ver. 9.5.0
Cheers
/Jonas

Dead simple and hardly time consuming! Just open the existing MKV file in MKVMergeGui and add the SRT. Then remux - no encoding of video or audio and for an average length movie takes about 3 minutes.

[Hansen]

Dead simple and hardly time consuming! Just open the existing MKV file in MKVMergeGui and add the SRT. Then remux - no encoding of video or audio and for an average length movie takes about 3 minutes.

The only way I can get to work is that open my input.mkv file and input.srt file in MKVMergeGui and then click "Start Muxing". This will result in a new mkv - output.mkv.
But if I understand you correctly it is possible to avoid the creation of the output.mkv?
I'm adding srt files to 2160p movies so creating of output.mkv takes time....and requires a lot of HD-space if I want to queue them.

[smitbret]

Dead simple and hardly time consuming! Just open the existing MKV file in MKVMergeGui and add the SRT. Then remux - no encoding of video or audio and for an average length movie takes about 3 minutes.

The only way I can get to work is that open my input.mkv file and input.srt file in MKVMergeGui and then click "Start Muxing". This will result in a new mkv - output.mkv.
But if I understand you correctly it is possible to avoid the creation of the output.mkv?
I'm adding srt files to 2160p movies so creating of output.mkv takes time....and requires a lot of HD-space if I want to queue them.

No, you will always get an OUTPUT file. Input File + .srt file = Output File. The only other way is a complete re encode that will take a LOT of time.

[netmask56]

As smitbret said yes you will get a new file when you remux - delete the original after checking the file if you are not already doing this. For bulk work I believe this program works quite well https://www.videohelp.com/software/MKVBatch haven't used it myself but like you I have converted to MKV and transferred around 1500 discs and counting, Blu ray and DVD's and off air TV Documentaries to my NAS. Most media players will show subtitles if you simply include the SRT file in the same folder as the MKV as long as the sub has exactly the same name as the video file. ie movie.mkv + movie.srt My Popcorn A-500 doesn't care which way so when I get lazy I just put the sub in the same folder - job done....

[Hansen]

Thanx for all answers.
I would have been nice if I could skip the output.mkv (time-consuming) but now I now it's not possible so I won't waste more time trying.
Some tv' don't support extern srt file even if the have the same name/folder location.