Two subtitle lines at the same time with different timings (SRT file)

[yaridovic]

This is the problem:

One of the subtitles is a sign, and the other one is dialogue. Sign appears almost a second before dialogue and lasts until dialogue ends. How can I do this in a SRT file (this is important, since I plan to export it as a sup file later)? I am trying to put a blank line below the first subtitle so when the dialogue appears it the sign subtitle is unaltered. But when I save changes the blank line disappears.
[Attachment 60539 - Click to enlarge]
[Attachment 60540 - Click to enlarge]

What I am trying to achieve is something similar to the attached files, but without the "U" in the first image, second line. I want it to remain blank so when the dialogue line appears, the upper line remains unaltered. I am open to similar alternatives with the same result, but it has to be a SRT file.

[jagabo]

There is no universally supported method of positioning a line of text like that. But here are some things that work with some SRT renderers, from the most likely to least likely to work with different players:

Subtitle 1 uses a non-printable character on the second line. The renderer sees that there are two lines so the first line is raised. Then it draws nothing for the second line. I used hex character 81. You might be able to copy/paste that line from this SRT to the SRT you're working with. I created the file by placing an X there (easy to find) then changing the SRT with a hex editor.

Subs 2 and 3 are just for positional reference.

Subs 4, 5, 6 and 7 uses some extended tags to position a subtitle mid-level or at the top of the frame. These may or may not be suitable for you.

Sub 8 uses X:Y positioning.

Sub 9 uses another type of X:Y positioning.

I used a 1280x720 video for testing. Some of the subtitle positions may vary depending on the video's frame dimensions.

1
00:00:01,000 --> 00:00:2,900
One line of text, raised.


2
00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:4,900
Two lines of text.
The second line.

3
00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:6,900
One line of text, normal.

4
00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:8,900
{\an5}middle, centered

5
00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:10,900
{\an8}top, centered

6
00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:12,900
{\a10}middle, centered (alternate)

7
00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:14,900
{\a6}top, centered (alternate)

8
00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:16,900
{\pos(200,250)}Second line up from the bottom (pos(200,250).

9
00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:18,900 X1:100 X2:100 Y1:420 Y2:420
Second line up from the bottom (X:100 Y:420).

[Ennio]

My apologies for jumping in.

@jagabo:
The positioning tags in line 8 are rather easy to understand.
But I don't get why in line 9, there is a X1 and X2 with same values, and Y1 and Y2 with same values. Would you care to explain what's going on here?

[jagabo]

My apologies for jumping in.

@jagabo:
The positioning tags in line 8 are rather easy to understand.
But I don't get why in line 9, there is a X1 and X2 with same values, and Y1 and Y2 with same values. Would you care to explain what's going on here?

I don't really understand the exact meaning of those X/Y variables. And why there are two of each. I originally thought they were for lines 1 and 2 but that didn't turn out to be the case. I never found an explanation (this is the first time I've tried using them). I just found that setting X1 and X2 to the same value, and Y1 and Y2 to the same value, got the subs where I wanted them.

[Ennio]

Ah, ok. Thanks, jagabo.

@yaridovic: sorry for disturbing your thread