Converting Subtitles?

It depends if you are using slow down or just pulldown flags.

I'll assume slow down since that covers most movies. (If you aren't slowing it, just skip step 2).

I really need to make up a full PAL2NTSC guide, but here's the subtitles part (I like to avoid converting to text format on the way since I'm a purist):

1) With Vobsub Configure: Click Open and select the original ifo/vob on the PAL DVD. This will rip your subtitles in idx/sub format.

2) VobSub Cutter: Open your ripped idx/sub file, uncheck 'Modify Time Stamp Count From Start'. Check 'Modify FPS'. Original: 25, New: 23.976 (of course). Click Save As and save your newly retimed idx/sub files.

3) SubToSup: Open new idx file and they will be saved automatically in SUP format for use in MuxMan.

4) Although some DVD players are ok with this final DVD, you'll really want to load your final files into DVDSubEdit and adjust the vertical position of the subtitles to correct for the change from 576 to 480 lines of resolution (or your subs may fall below the screen).

I've tried tweaking the .idx 'Original Frame Size' and 'Scaling' to do this, but it doesn't seem to change anything. I believe most of the information stored there is for PC playback but is thrown out when coverted to a SUP file.

[Off topic] I use MuxMan instead of DVD Lab because it allows me to build a bare bones movie with graphical subtitles and corrected celltimes (which often includes more than just chapter stops).

I then use NuMenu4U to do a full conversion of the PAL menu system to NTSC, followed by VobBlanker to replace the PAL movie with the one created in MuxMan. [/Off Topic]

If you prefer DVD Lab _IN THEORY_ you can use VSConv to convert the idx/subs to Maestro format (which is a SON file and a BMP file for every title). It is one of the few graphical formats compatible with DVD Lab.

I put this method together after much trial and error (and swearing). I hope it helps you.

Yeah, as far as I can tell NuMenu4U has died but a few sites still have it available.

It was developed to allow menu re-encoding when converting DVD9 to DVD5 with the Big 3 method (before programs like DVD Rebuilder).

It's a bit of a Rube Goldberg that takes some effort to get working and configured. The only reason I have it at all is because during re-encoding it has the ability to convert PAL to NTSC.

Frankly, if the author expanded it to re-encode the movie as well it would have been indispensible.

The other negative is that it uses Sonic Scenarist for rebuilding the disc, but a pay/registered copy can use Muxman Pro. Since it's dead-ware, you are stuck (unless you get yourself a crack for it).

It's a bit awkward to start. Look at Doom9's preparation guide: http://www.doom9.org/mpg/big3-preperation.htm#NuMenu4u

From there you can try the NM4U's Wizard to get going. I can't remember actually seeing a guide for the program unfortunately.

Just make sure you go to the menu "AviSynth" and check "Convert Menu Format (PAL -> NTSC / NTSC -> PAL)". (There's also an option to re-encode all assets, that's on by default, which of course you'll need as well.)

dark_jedi said:

yes I really need your help,I am not understanding how to position the subs,they are to close to the bottom and kind of big,and I can't figure out how to use VSConv to convert the subs for DVDLab Pro,muxman seems cool but I do not understand it like DVDLab Pro.

 

so I still need you LOL

 

DJ

Position: If your final DVD has subtitles too close to the bottom (or below the screen), use DVDSubEdit: http://download.videohelp.com/DVDSubEdit/

Select File, Open Full Domain, and select the first VOB in the movie, it will auto load the full disc.

Using the slider below the preview window pick any line to work with, and then grab the slider that says "Subpic Vertical Position" and drag it up to where you want the titles to appear.

The select from the Edit menu "Apply Last Mostification to All".  The box for Apply changes to subpic vertical pos. should already be checked.  (By default all streams will be altered.)

Click "DO IT!"

Select File, "Save All Modifications".

It may take a couple goes to get it where you want it, but it does the job.

Size: As far as the subtitle size, they should be unaltered from the original DVD's size.  I don't know why they'd look too big.

Muxman: Don't get me wrong, I'm not a big fan, I only use it once in awhile, the rest of the time it's DVD Lab.  It's fairly straight forward, select vid track, select audio track (pick language name), select subtitle (.sup format) (pick language name, and check wide and/or lbx).

File/Import Chapters lets you import a text based chapter list, pick an output directory, click start.

VSConv: It's a command line proggy.  Open a command window, where vsconv is and type: vsconv.exe -i "input_titles" -o "output_titles" -f "maestro"

You can get other options by just typing vsconv.exe (or clicking on it from Windows).

It looks like I'm going to have to write a full guide after all.

You could try using Subtitle Workshop to convert the subs. you can convert framerate easy and it has a variety of sub output formats that will be compatible with DVDLab Pro. I haven't used DVDLab Pro for a while but you can change the font, size and (i think)position.

Here is a guide:

http://forum.videohelp.com/topic219535.html

True, once you use OCR software and convert your titles to text based format it's quite easy to change the frame rate and add using DVD Lab.

It's not my preferred method because formating, position and special characters are lost... and OCR is not perfect by a long shot.

That being said, it is a good alternative.

(oops, removed)