Apple TV & Handbrake and Subtitles

[VideoBeagle]

I've been trying to convert a concert DVD into a mp4 for use with my AppleTV. It has a Subtitle track with lyrics I'd like to include as an optional track.

I can rip it with the track, and it works in VLC, but not quicktime or the AppleTV.

(as opposed to other videos I've ripped, some with subtitles, Quicktime and Quicklook won't play it.).

I think the problem is that the subtitles are VOSUB format rather than something else..

I'm using the Apple TV 3 Optional preset mentioned elsewhere on this board (with web otimized checked).

i've tried using Subler to extract the subtitle but it gives me a 0kb srt file.

D-Subtitler doesn't work in Mtn Lion.

If I burn in the subtitle, It'll work, but I'd rather they stay soft.

Can anyone help?

 

[DaPhatty]

Try using MP4Tools. I've had good success with subtitles using MP4Tools.

http://www.emmgunn.com/mp4tools/mp4toolshome.html

 

[priitv8]

I'd rip it with makeMKV into a mkv with embedded VOBSUB track (not sure, maybe HB can do this as well).
Then use HB to comvert the video to mp4 without adding subs (HB will only let you burn iin bitmapped subs).
Then drop the mkv into subler to OCR the VOBSUB into soft (text) subs. I usually exclude the video track (only the smallest audio track for timebase and required sub tracks) to make the process faster. You will need to save this file in Subler so it can start track copying and OCRing process.
Once it completes, export the sub track from Subler into SRT and import via same into your mp4 movie file from HB.
Theoretically, Subler should also be able to convert your MPEG-2 dvd rip into mp4 in a single pass (incl audio and subs conversions), but I use HB to convert all my video and audio tracks because of it's known good quality and tried&tested presets I've created.
PS for anything else than English language, you will need to install language packs for Subler to OCR your subs properly.

 

[Jambalaya]

I think the issue is that with iOS devices you cannot get either the standard video app or VLC to prompt you for the subtitle track. I use handbrake to compress DVD's ripped using RipIt (which I find more reliable) and add subtitles with burned-in "unchecked". These play fine on MBP where full VLC app allows the subtitles to be turned on, I can then use Mavericks / multi-screen Airplay to send movie to the TV. However if I try directly from Apple TV or streaming from iPhone or iPad I cannot add the subtitles to the playback

 

[VideoBeagle]

I'd rip it with makeMKV into a mkv with embedded VOBSUB track (not sure, maybe HB can do this as well).
Then use HB to comvert the video to mp4 without adding subs (HB will only let you burn iin bitmapped subs)....

That worked perfectly! Thanks for the help and the new knowledge!

********
Jambalaya (and me starts thinking about dinner...): The problem was the VoSUB - Bit mapped subtitles....priitv8's instructions caused them to convert to text which made it all work!

 

[VideoBeagle]

OK, new issue.

Is there a way to make soft subtitles default to "on"

On the concert mentioned above, I'd like the subtitles to be on by default.

OR, on a movie that has english subtitles for a few foreign langauge parts, I'd like the subtitles to be on by default. I know the "forced" flag option is supposed to do that, but it doesn't seem to work in VLC or ATV.

 

[Pyromonkey83]

OK, new issue.

Is there a way to make soft subtitles default to "on"

On the concert mentioned above, I'd like the subtitles to be on by default.

OR, on a movie that has english subtitles for a few foreign langauge parts, I'd like the subtitles to be on by default. I know the "forced" flag option is supposed to do that, but it doesn't seem to work in VLC or ATV.

Unfortunately the Forced subset does not work on iTunes or Apple TV (although it should work without issue in VLC...). If you would like, you can join me at screaming at Tim Cook for him to get this implemented! =D

In the mean time, you will have to select the subtitles manually every time you play the movie.

 

[dynaflash]

Actually once you select the subs on an atv, every time you play it it should then show the subs.

 

[Pyromonkey83]

Actually once you select the subs on an atv, every time you play it it should then show the subs.

This seems to work for me sometimes, but not always. It seems that if I stop a movie half way, then resume playing later it will save the subtitle state, but once I finish the movie it will reset if there is more than one subtitle track.

Single subtitle tracks always resume, but with movies that I keep two or more tracks (for example, one for movie, one for commentary. Or more often, one for the whole movie, and one for foreign only parts) it will fail to play any tracks after restarting the entire movie. Not sure if this is an iTunes bug or what, but I'd truly love to not have to always burn in my foreign subs to alleviate this problem.

Of course, if Apple would just add support for PGS subtitles with forced flags the problem would eliminate itself...

EDIT: Just to add, I know absolutely zero about how PGS subtitles work, so I have no idea if iTunes supporting PGS subtitles is even possible... But one can hope.

 

[VideoBeagle]

I've also found, turning on the subtitles for say X-Men First Class (the movie in this story), means the subtitles are on for the next thing I play, say something on netflix, has them on too.

Thanks for the words..nice to know it's not me with the problem this time

 

[priitv8]

Set your preferred subs language in aTV preferences. After that, once a movie contains a subs track in selected language, it will be displayed automatically. If you only want that effect for english forced subs, assign that track some unused language code (eg mandarin) in the movie file and set mandarin as your preferred subs language in Audio & Video settings on aTV.