Creating Subtitles and Storing in container format

[FPG]

I just recently decided that I wanted to start building a Media Server and in doing so I want to backup all of my DVD's. After doing a lot of research I stumbled upon RipIt4Me, DVD43, DVD Shrink, and DVD Decrypter all of which are freeware and with the combination of some or all of these programs I'm able to successfully decrypt my DVD's to the desktop in either an .iso format or as a video_ts folder with the vob files. I recently decided I wanted to have the english subtitles as a right click option on the videos as I've seen done with several shows.

I know the subtitles can be generated with the .ifo files in the video_ts folder but I don't want them "burned" onto the video I want "soft" subtitles. For this I believe I need a container format such as .mkv.

As for my question, how should I go about pulling the English subtitles, storing them in a soft format so I can turn them on and off by right clicking on the window (in Media Player Classic), and then link them with the video file? After that I need to know how I should encode the .vob files in a lossless format that will work with the subtitles and in the .mkv container format (but that's probably more appropriate for the encoding forum). I don't care about the menus or the extras, I'm just after the highest quality video playback with subtitles in a nice format. Thanks for your help!

[TheRyuu]

VSRip.
You can then mux the extracted subtitles into the mkv.

You can also go a step further and convert the extracted subs in srt format (which requires a little work). Then if you have loads of time, convert into ass format and play around with all those advanced options. (see Aegisub)

But the first option should work nicely.

[FPG]

Thanks a lot, I'll look into those.

OK I have a question about this. How can I check to see if the subtitles will match up with the .vob file correctly?

The movie came in 5 pieces. Vob2_0.vob - Vob2_4.vob. Vob2_0.vob was the menu and I removed it and with VobMerge I merged Vob2_1.vob - Vob2_4.vob together into one file. The IFO I made the subtitles from covers all of Vob2 and I don't know if there will be a delay thanks to the menu. Is there a way to just pull the subtitles from 2_1 - 2_4 from the IFO file?

It looks like I can do this with the Vob/Cell Id's .. but I'm not sure how the Cell Id's match up with the Vob files.

[FPG]

I got it figured out and was actually able to create the .srt file for the subtitles using another program I found called SubRip. .idx wasn't sufficient as it apparently cannot be muxed together with .mkv according to the FAQ. Thanks for your help!