Burning/Converting VOB files with subtitles to DVD?

[TRAPTRAP]

So I've successfully edited my subtitles on DVDSubEdit. Now, I need to know if/ how I can burn them as a VOB (which is what they were when I ripped them from a DVD), or convert them to a file that will retain the subtitles and be able to burn to a DVD Disc.

I've converted the VOB files to MPEG II and MP4's, but the subtitles are gone!

Can anyone help with this? The users here have been INCREDIBLY helpful with this process! Thanks!

[rdl]

If you want something that will play on one of those old fashioned DVD player things, I don't know. If all you need is a video file that has subtitles included just use Handbrake.

[TRAPTRAP]

My DVD Player reads most discs, it's not THAT old. I've burned DVD's, but the issue is that I don't know if VOB will work, and I need it to RETAIN the subtitles. I've converted to MP4, WMV, and MPEG II from my edited VOB file, but they didn't retain the subs, they were gone.

[liquibyte]

I have no idea if you use windows but this is my process on linux.

Handbrake + ffmpeg + dvdstyler + growisofs

Handbrake to mkv, ffmpeg to mpg, dvdstyler to create a menu etc. and finally growisofs to burn the dvd.

[TRAPTRAP]

Yes, I use Windows 8.1, currently. I've already edited the subs. All I really need is a program that will keep the subs ON, after conversion from a VOB.

[liquibyte]

Here are the windows builds for ffmpeg and I do believe that it can do operations with subtitles.  From there you can use whatever works for converting to iso and burning.

[rdl]

DVD players these days can't just play files directly? You still have to go through that convert to iso process? I'm just curious because I haven't had a DVD player connected to my TV in almost 10 years. I use a PC instead.

[liquibyte]

DVD players these days can't just play files directly? You still have to go through that convert to iso process? I'm just curious because I haven't had a DVD player connected to my TV in almost 10 years. I use a PC instead.

I'm honestly not entirely sure but I think most of them can play MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 directly and some will do AVI, I had one that did.  I think they'll all do the major audio formats nowadays.  For full compatibility VOB is the way to go and if an iso is going to be distributed, the region code needs set to 0.  The trick is to convert to MPEG and do file operations there and then convert back to VOB and into and iso for burning.

I just ripped all my DVD's. I found Handbrake a lot easier to use than trying to use FFMPEG from the command line. The GUI made managing the titles and selecting Audio tracks and Subtitle tracks a lot less work.

Given the question posed by the OP I'd think Handbrake is a more appropriate choice. It gives excellent results with a much easier learning curve.

Handbrake uses ffmpeg as an encoder and I prefer to cut out the middleman as much as possible.  If you really want to do fast encoding, it's what you use on linux.  I have no idea how to use it on windows as I haven't been there for a very long time but I imagine that it's probably the same except for the paths.  The command line is second nature for me now though I'll agree that it has a steep learning curve, but also add that there are many, many tutorials for it.  Also, recently disks are using very sophisticated techniques to make life harder for the "home encoder".  I recently ran into one and the only thing that would work was ffmpeg at the command line.

[TRAPTRAP]

Another user gave me the DVDSubEdit, and it did work fine. I moved the subs, but whenever I convert the video from the original VOB, the subs disappear.

I'm having a tough time getting the HandBrake to work. How would I edit the subs? I'd have to rip the DVD, again? It can't upload the already ripped VOB files?

[liquibyte]

VOB is just a container like a zip file, although a specialized one.  You need to have the audio, video and subtitle files re-VOB'ed again and the best way to do that is ripping to MKV with the subtitles embedded.  It gets even more fun if you want menus and chapters.  From the page I linked:

If the subtitle is a separate file called subtitle.srt, you can use this command:

ffmpeg -i video.avi -vf subtitles=subtitle.srt out.avi

If the subtitle is embedded in the container video.mkv, you can do this:

ffmpeg -i video.mkv -vf subtitles=video.mkv out.avi

This is one of those things that's not entirely straight forward or easy.  I keep notes on it because I don't do it enough to remember.

[miguelvp]

Not related to your last question but regarding your player:

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/panasonic-dvd-s52/7120

Seems it supports all recording DVD media:
DVD-R
DVD-RW
DVD-R DL
DVD+R
DVD+RW
DVD+R DL

Also here is the link for all the tools that videohelp has information about:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools?updated=Popular+tools

That site used to be vcdhelp then dvdhelp now it's videohelp
Lots of info regarding what you are trying to do.

For example Authoring:
http://www.videohelp.com/author

[rdl]

On Windows, I think Handbrake default is AVC/AAC/mp4. You can use ffmpeg and mkv, but you have to manually select them.

Handbrake only can add subtitles when it does the encoding, so you would have to re-rip from the source.

Another good place for help with audio and video problems is AVS forums.

[TRAPTRAP]

What's an easy way to rip the VOB's I have, an edited to MKV as stated above?
If it embeds the subs, that's fine, I've edited them to a fixed position, anyway.

Also, the menus won't be coming along, I'll be cutting the files apart anyway. They mixed between extras an episodes, so I need to cut it anyway. The only IMPORTANT thing is that it keeps the subtitle.

EDIT: I'll check those links, Miguel!

[miguelvp]

He is trying to move the subtitles higher so that he can play the movies in zoom without cutting off the subtitles

[liquibyte]

He is trying to move the subtitles higher so that he can play the movies in zoom without cutting off the subtitles

I think the solution for that can be found here and here.

[liquibyte]

These things are easy once you understand how it's all put together.  Read the wiki for handbrake.  By default the subtitles don't follow along so the size can be kept down but you can turn them on during ripping.

[TRAPTRAP]

I think it'll be easier for everyone to understand what I'm trying to do if they read my last topic on the subtitles.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/need-help-with-panasonic-53wx52f-tv-display/

I'll describe exactly what I've done so far.

First I took my DVD, and set it to copy/rip to my PC. I used AnyDVD (Slysoft), because it can bypass the copyright lock on DVD's.

AnyDVD ripped the DVD and saved an AOA and a VIDEO_TS folder. Inside the folder there's a list of VOB files, which are the individual files for my movie. There's about 12 of them

I uploaded the DVD VOB files into DVDSubEdit. Once they were there, I was able to edit the subtitles exactly as I wanted. I moved them upward, so that when I play them on my PANASONIC TV, they'll fit on screen and not cut off at the bottom when I use ZOOM display to fit the picture to screen and make subtitles large enough. ZOOM on my UNEDITED DVD's cuts the subs from the bottom. That's why I moved them upward.

Now, when I try to save the edited file on DVDSubEdit, it saves OVER the old VOB. I don't see a way to save to MPEG/MP4/MKV/AVI/etc. WMV would be preferred, as it's the only file I can burn with my laptop. I need a way to either save (on DVDSubEdit) as a proper movie file, that will retain the subtitles I've edited and embed them to my video, OR I need a progam that will open the VOB file I already have, and save it as a proper movie file. I've tried this with ANY video converter (ANVsoft), it opened the VOB, but when I saved it as any of the above movie files the subtitles were gone.

So, a way to save the VOB as a burnable movie file, keeping the subtitles intact/embedded, OR a way to have DVDSubEdit save the edited VOB files as a burnable movie file.

I can re-RIP the DVD if I have to, but if it goes through a different progam, the program will have to be able to bypass the copy protection and be able to edit the subtitles by moving them UPWARD.

[miguelvp]

Why don't just burn it as an unprotected DVD with menus and all?

[TRAPTRAP]

Where could I do that from, that will keep the subtitles moved upward?

Also, in VLC, which I have, I was able to move the subtitles upward. Can I save from VLC? Possibly to a WMV/AVI/etc. Save it so that it will keep the subtitles in that position?

[rdl]

After this DVDSubEdit thing is done, use Handbrake and do a "Title Specific Scan" of the video_ts folder. If there's more than one title, make sure to choose the correct one. When it's done, go to the subtitles tab and select the subtitles from the drop-down list and add them. Then let Handbrake do it's thing. Handbrake has a huge number of options and it takes a while before you understand everything (if ever).

I don't know for sure because I don't mess with DVDs that much, but I always thought the subtitles were actually in a different file from the video/audio .vob files.

It's really much easier to just transcode with Handbrake to mp4 or whatever and play the file directly from a PC or media server connected to the TV instead of going through all this DVD hassle.

[miguelvp]

Where could I do that from, that will keep the subtitles moved upward?

Also, in VLC, which I have, I was able to move the subtitles upward. Can I save from VLC? Possibly to a WMV/AVI/etc. Save it so that it will keep the subtitles in that position?

I think you just burn the DVD keeping the same file structure after you are done ripping it to the hard drive
It's been a while since I've done anything with DVD video editing but as long as it has all the bits and pieces as when you look at it with a DVD Rom it should work.

[TRAPTRAP]

I'm not sure I completely understand. Can Handbrake manually move the subtitles UPWARD? When I use ZOOM, it cuts the subs off COMPLETELY. I could crop the image, but I'm not certain that my TV will display it right. ZOOM, crops off the top and bottom but fits left and right to my PANASONIC TV. The subs on my video are REALLY low, another issue. If I cut TOO much from the bottom of the picture it will cut the subs if I can't move them UPWARD.

[TRAPTRAP]

I do HAVE to end up with a DVD. My TV is a great TV, but it's 12 years old, I can't easily hook it up to the computer, and I don't have $4000 to spend on a newer, same size TV. Or a media player at that, right now. On top of which, media players from PC to TV aren't as reliable as a DVD player, in my opinion. This is the only time I've EVER had this much trouble with my TV/ DVD player. It's mor of the DVD itself that's the issue.

I have the VLC option still left to try. If I rip/save the text file as .SRT, then I can imbed them back into the video in VLC. Only I'm not sure how to get rid of the original subtitles that will still appear lower on the screen? Any ideas? I don't see an .SRT file in the DVD I ripped.

[TRAPTRAP]

How about, just a program that can convert a VOB into a WMV/MP4/ etc.? If I can get that, it'll work out fine.

[rdl]

What we've been telling you all along...Handbrake.

You can choose between mp4 or mkv container and either h.264, mpeg-2, or mpeg-4 codec

Hardly anyone uses wmv anymore.

Go read some tutorials for Handbrake first, it has a lot of options.

How about, just a program that can convert a VOB into a WMV/MP4/ etc.? If I can get that, it'll work out fine.

[TRAPTRAP]

Can HandBrake upload VOB files I've ALREADY ripped, because if it can't, then it won't work if I have to rip it into Handbrake, as my subs WON'T be edited.

As another user stated, HandBrake can't move subs UPWARD!

[miguelvp]

I haven't tried this so I hope it works:

Here is an instructable on how to rip and burn a copy of DVD movies:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rip%2c-Burn%2c-Copy-DVD-Movies---The-best%2c-simplest-wa/?ALLSTEPS

On the DVDShrink you might need to force subtitles:

http://www.dvdshrink.info/forcing_subs.php

Move the subtitles with the tool you've been using (forgot the name now)

Then resume the instructable above to burn the copy with DVD Decryptor into a blank DVD.

I haven't used any of these tools but seems this will do the trick.

Keep it simple and use the settings in the instructable, later you can start playing with compression/quality etc.

[miguelvp]

Any luck with DVD Shrink (or Any DVD) then DVD subedit to move the subtitles and finally DVD Decryptor to burn the VIDEO_TS back into an unprotected DVD?

[miguelvp]

@TRAPTRAP,

Any luck with the suggestions?

[TRAPTRAP]

I got HandBrake to work after I've worked on DVDSubEdit, only for WHATEVER reason, the subtitles have turned from WHITE to BLACK. They were embedded to the video, but it makes no sense to me why this would happen? I certainly did NOT set any color command. Any ideas?

I haven't tried DVDShrink yet, but that's next in the next few days. Thanks AGAIN everyone, this is the most helpful forum I've EVER visited!

[miguelvp]

Thanks AGAIN everyone, this is the most helpful forum I've EVER visited!

You are welcome, but be aware that engineers both software and hardware can be helpful but sometimes we turn into pricks

None of us like to be wrong which makes an interesting dynamic when software and hardware people interact with each other in the same project, but the veterans are better at dealing with this dilemma and not taking things too personal.

[TRAPTRAP]

  LOL, I'll keep that in mind!

I'll get back to you soon, on DVDShrink and so on, when I try it to see if it to see if it will work or not, better than HandBrake.

[TRAPTRAP]

I can't get DVDShrink to download properly on my PC. Do I need a certain Windows? Can it up load VOB files?

I DID get HandBrake to work. It uploaded my ripped VOB files, and was able to save the file as an MP4. It was able to imprint the subtitles with the video, but for some reason the subtitles were black on the finished MP4 file. The subtitles were white, and I didn't switch them at all. If someone can answer this and solve how to keep the subtitles EXACTLY as they were, then this problem is solved, and you all successfully helped me finish this project.

[TRAPTRAP]

After I uploaded the VOB's I selected ADD subtitle, under that I selected the subtitle file "unknown VOB file", then I used "BURNED IN". If I don't do burned in, from testing I see that the subtitles aren't saved. Using those options made the subtitles a complete solid black, unreadable.

[miguelvp]

See if in our DVDSubEdit step you can change the color or the background of the subtitles. It might not be a HandBrake problem but a DVDSubEdit one.

[TRAPTRAP]

I switched the black backround (which was there) off, but they still turned black after the conversion. I tested to see if I turned the black backround yellow if it would turn the subs yellow instead of black, but it still turned black.

I was sure that'd it work too.

[rdl]

If these are vob subs in the .sub + .idx form, it doesn't matter whether it's mkv or mp4, those are just container formats, both can hold subtitles.

If you're having problems with colors, try converting the vob subs to .srt. It's easier to deal with .srt, but either should work. An .srt file is plain text, there's no way to get the colors screwed up because that's all controlled by the playback application. I've never had problems putting either type into .mp4 files with Handbrake.

As far as subtitles go, "forced" has nothing to do with what you want. Subs are either "soft" or "burned in".

"Burned in" makes them part of the actual video stream, they can't be removed later or turned off, nor can you reposition them or change colors, etc. They are "hard-coded".

"Soft" means they are in a separate "stream", a sub section of the container file. The playback application controls position, colors, font, etc. If you have a subtitle stream and set it to "default", this means it will automatically be on when the video plays. If it's not set as default, you won't see the subs until you turn them on manually.

[TRAPTRAP]

I'm going to try the MKV save format that you suggested, Wilfred. I'll get back to you all in a little while to tell you if it worked.

I'm not sure how exactly I'd go about converting them into .SRT, because I have to use DVDSubEdit first, unless someone knows a program that will accept VOB's, and convert the subtitles to .SRT from there?

[TRAPTRAP]

No, saving it as an MKV didn't work. The subs were still black. Are there any other options I should select in specific other than "burn in" on HandBrake that would help?

[rdl]

Don't use "burn in", that's not what you want.

It took me about 17 seconds to find out that DVDSubEdit claims to be able to convert a .vob file iinto an .srt using OCR. I suggest you go read about it and give it a try. This is the way to do subs..

Once you have an .srt, just import it, then add it in Handbrake. It might be a good idea to spell check it first. OCR isn't always perfect.

No, saving it as an MKV didn't work. The subs were still black. Are there any other options I should select in specific other than "burn in" on HandBrake that would help?

[Kredenet]

Sir, it seems that you know about DVD burning and ripping a lot.  Could you please tell me what happened in the ripping process.
I met a strange problem when using a DVD ripper weeks ago. I download from this site : http://www.videoconverterfactory.com/tips/vob-to-mp4.html, a dvdconverter. My original DVD is 29.9fps 720p. This software claims to changet it o 1080p 60fps. I bought it and tried times. By comparison, i could tell no differences between the output video and the original DVD file. I wonder whether it is really true for those 60fps converter? Since I know frame rate means the number of pictures flashing by per seconds when it is playing. The number should has been fixed. How could it be possible to increase frame rate to 60 if the video size is not changed.?
Another question is that I recently use handbrake to copy a dvd, but it failed says no valid source found. I find this thread : https://www.howtogeek.com/102886/how-to-decrypt-dvds-with-hardbrake-so-you-can-rip-them/ somebody says it is copyright protection? I downloaded libdvdcss for handbrake, but the "no valid source found" still exists

[Rick Law]

So I've successfully edited my subtitles on DVDSubEdit. Now, I need to know if/ how I can burn them as a VOB (which is what they were when I ripped them from a DVD), or convert them to a file that will retain the subtitles and be able to burn to a DVD Disc.

I've converted the VOB files to MPEG II and MP4's, but the subtitles are gone!

Can anyone help with this? The users here have been INCREDIBLY helpful with this process! Thanks!

First, you do not need to "export" to mpeg just to re-burn the DVDSubEdit modified VOBs.  Once you are done moving the subtitles around (which I do often probably for the same reason you do - hearing the conversation is at times difficult), as long as your VIDEO_TS directly is not changed, something like Nero can burn that VIDEO_TS directory with modified VOB back onto disc directly.

Second, It was said in earlier replies that VOB is just a container, but judging from your follow up questions, you are confused by the implication of VOB being just a container.

The MPEG video "file" is stored in the container and Subtitles are sub-pictures also stored stored as video in different "files" within the same VOB container; as are the different audio tracks.

When you export the VOB to MPEG/MP4, it exports only the mpeg video "file" but not the overlay sub-picture video "file".  So, when you extract the mpeg video, the movie-video itself never had the subtitles in it to begin with, so it will not be on your extract.

To include the subpicture in the main picture, the exporter will actually have to render the main mpeg, then it has to render the subpicture overlay onto the movie frame, then pass that frame to the video compression processes.  I am sure you can find video tools that can do that, but that is really not an export but re-rendering tool.  I am sure you can find one that do (Adobe Premier v1.5 which I use can do that).  But, as I said earlier, you can just re-burn that whole VIDEO_TS structure with the modified VOB so you don't really need to extract it to mpg to remake the DVD.

[BradC]

Second, It was said in earlier replies that VOB is just a container, but judging from your follow up questions, you are confused by the implication of VOB being just a container.

He may have been confused 3 years ago. Then again, he might have sorted it out by now

[rdl]

There's no way to actually change 720p to 1080p or get more frames per second than were there originally. Any software that claims to do this is just resizing the original and inserting extra duplicate frames. It can't look any better than the original and may look worse, and on top of that the file size will probably be much larger than necessary. Using Handbrake to rip the DVD while keeping the original size and frame rate is the best way to go. DVDs are usually encrypted, so you have to deal with that, but it's not that difficult. Video players such as VLC that can rescale any size original to play full screen.

[Rick Law]

Second, It was said in earlier replies that VOB is just a container, but judging from your follow up questions, you are confused by the implication of VOB being just a container.

He may have been confused 3 years ago. Then again, he might have sorted it out by now

Ahem, actually, I did not notice the OP was that old.  I read the thread with latest replies, and went to the OP for the original story...

Well, just so I do not feel a total waste of time, I hope others may benefit from that little write up.

[BradC]

Well, just so I do not feel a total waste of time, I hope others may benefit from that little write up.

Actually I did, so thanks for the fortuitous blunder