CLI encoder to go from VOB to MPG with forced subtitles?

[bdraw]

I'm trying to convert my DVDs from VOB to MPG for playback on a Windows Media Center Extender.

I'm currently tried both mencoder and ffmpeg, but in either case I can't figure out how to burn-in forced subtitles from the DVD -- I'm using "Traffic" and "Seven Pounds" as test material.

Here are the ffmpeg switches I'm using, but they don't re-encode the video. I'm not sure what switches I can use to re-encode with subtitles.
-vcodec copy -f vob -acodec copy

[MrC]

I do not know a way to hard encode subtitles to a standard (mpeg2) mpg file without re-encoding video. AviSynth + VSFilter will do an excellent job.

;)

Bye

[bdraw]

Thanks for the reply.

I don't mind re-encoding.

I actually figured out a workable solution.

First I use Subrip to create an srt file (or download an srt file). Then with my other mencoder switches I also pass "-sub c:\moviename.srt" and they get hard coded in. I had tried this before I posted, but the version of mencoder I was using didn't do it. Eventually I got smart and tried another version and it worked.

Now I'm trying to duplicate the same process with an mkv as the source that has ass subtitles.

[Ghitulescu]

What kind of MC Extender deos not understand DVD video? It's the first time I'm hearing this.

Sell it and buy a new one that can DVD (VOB). Spare yourself the time and energy for better purposes.

[bdraw]

No Windows Media Center Extenders support VOB. And if you mean to get one that isn't a Windows Media Center Extender, I'd say that watching live TV in HD is about 100% more important than watching DVDs without a disc.