Subtitles for Ripit > Handbrake > ATV3?

[netdog]

Hi

Did a full rip using RipIt and I see by using OS X's DVD Player app that the subtitles are indeed accessible.

Now I plan to convert a smaller file suitable for iTunes and our Apple TV 3 (the film is standard definition though) and I want to know if I must burn the subtitles into the images in this conversion, or if there is a way that I can convert using Handbrake to create a file that can be streamed to our Apple TV and give us the 'option' of viewing the subtitles rather than forcing it.

I've browsed around on the Handbrake forums, here, and other places via Google, but to be honest, I am getting conflicting and confusing answers.

Help?

 

[mic j]

Hi

Did a full rip using RipIt and I see by using OS X's DVD Player app that the subtitles are indeed accessible.

Now I plan to convert a smaller file suitable for iTunes and our Apple TV 3 (the film is standard definition though) and I want to know if I must burn the subtitles into the images in this conversion, or if there is a way that I can convert using Handbrake to create a file that can be streamed to our Apple TV and give us the 'option' of viewing the subtitles rather than forcing it.

I've browsed around on the Handbrake forums, here, and other places via Google, but to be honest, I am getting conflicting and confusing answers.

Help?

Only way I know of doing "soft" subtitles (ones that can be turned on/off) using handbrake is to make a separate subtitle file and add it to the video file (on the subtitles tab). It's doing the srt that is problematic. There are programs that read the digital subtitle info and convert it into a separate file. But my understanding is that they often require spelling correction and position correction. Also, using handbrake to add the sub file does not allow you to edit the sync of the sub to the video.

The way I have done it is to download an srt file for the movie from various websites. Then use it in either Handbrake (no sync adjustment) or use Subler to add the srt file. What I like about Subler, is if the sync is off, you can set an offset to make an adjustment. Of course, you don't know the sync until after you have finished muxing the movie and you check it. But muxing of a srt into the mp4 is comparatively quick (approx. 15m?).

I know there are other programs similar to Subler, which is free, that people use. But this is my way of doing it.

 

[dynaflash]

Handbrake also allows you to change the offset of an .srt .

 

[netdog]

But I assume that iTunes and Apple TV have no way to read an .srt file, is that right?

 

[mic j]

Handbrake also allows you to change the offset of an .srt .

Didn't know that. Can you tell me where to look for that option. [Edit: never mind, I found it] Also, will it let you do it without an entire recode (which would take hours)?

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But I assume that iTunes and Apple TV have no way to read an .srt file, is that right?

The files are incorporated into the mp4 container and are not separate files. iTunes and aTV see them fine.

 

[Gjwilly]

But I assume that iTunes and Apple TV have no way to read an .srt file, is that right?

Adding the .srt file into the MP4 container is convenient but it really isn't necessary.
If the .srt file has the same name as the video file and if it's in the same folder as the video file at the time that's it's imported into iTunes then iTunes will recognize it and display the subtitle option button when viewing the video.
If you then sync the video to an iPad or iPhone the subtitle button will appear there also.

 

[mic j]

Adding the .srt file into the MP4 container is convenient but it really isn't necessary.
If the .srt file has the same name as the video file and if it's in the same folder as the video file at the time that's it's imported into iTunes then iTunes will recognize it and display the subtitle option button when viewing the video.
If you then sync the video to an iPad or iPhone the subtitle button will appear there also.

Thank you for that. That's what I always did with my previous streamer, but I did not know iTunes would handle it in the same fashion. Is there a way to adjust the offset if the subtitle is out of sync with the auto?

 

[netdog]

And a subtitle option will be selectable then on an Apple TV 3 as well?

 

[mic j]

Adding the .srt file into the MP4 container is convenient but it really isn't necessary.
If the .srt file has the same name as the video file and if it's in the same folder as the video file at the time that's it's imported into iTunes then iTunes will recognize it and display the subtitle option button when viewing the video.
If you then sync the video to an iPad or iPhone the subtitle button will appear there also.

I just tried it and it did not work for me. Folder, m4v, srt all have the exact same name. In iTunes, I select folder, open, it adds it to iTunes. Under controls audio/subtitles, I only get audio options, not subtitle option. When I play the movie I get the dialog bubble down it the progress bar, but it also only give me audio options, no subtitle option. Anything I am doing wrong?

 

[Gjwilly]

Yep, not working for me either anymore.
Something else that Apple broke in iTunes 10.6?

 

[Los]

Although you can find reliable subs online, sometimes they're also plagued with synching issues and misspellings all over the place. Then there's the random spaces that they seem to have on some characters. This is why, I personally prefer to rip the subtitles myself, and then correct them as much as possible. Takes maybe 20 mins of your time to correct them depending on how long the movie is.

Once I have the SRT in place, I embed it on the movie and watch it peacefully while also looking for some mistakes in the subtitles. If I find them, I correct them when I'm done watching the movie or immediately depending if I'm near my computer or not. Once movie is over, I update the subs on the movie. I never have to worry about it ever again.

It's sometimes a tedious process, but it's something that you can do while you're waiting for the encode to finish.