How to ensure that forced DVD subs make it to the encode?

[djloewen]

In backing up my DVD collection, I have occasionally come across discs that have "forced subs" on them, which I like to hardcode into the video. I use Vobsub for this, choosing the appropriate subtitle track and turning the "Forced Subs" option to "ON".

Until now I have just been doing this as it comes to my attention - if I watch a movie and I suspect that a certain part in a foreign language was probably subtitled, I'll go check the DVD and re-encode if necessary. I don't like doing this - I'd rather just get it right in the first place. So I've been toying with the idea of just always encoding the english subtitle track with Forced Subs set to "ON".

Recently, I've encoded two DVDs that are making me re-evaluate my plan. On these DVDs the subtitles aren't marked as "forced" on the main track. There is, however, a secondary English subtitle track (like index 4 or 5) that appears to just have the ones I want on it - they may even be marked as "forced" on that track (I guess they must be, if they show up when I play the DVD... yes/no?)

So now, I don't see a way of automating the process. Is there a simple way of finding out if the DVD has forced subtitles on any given subtitle track? Can I, through an AVIsynth filter, apply any (English) forced subtitles without having to specify which subtitle track to look at?

[setarip_old]

You can use DVD SubEdit to determine which of the two methodologies is used for each of your DVDs...

[djloewen]

Thank you for the tip. I see that by opening a VOB set and checking "Only show forced subpics" I can immediately see whether there are forced subs somewhere, and I can then use the "streams" menu to find out which stream I want.

1.) Is there a way of doing this sort of thing from a batch file? If not, this is good enough :)

2.) I will soon begin encoding my blu-rays, and I want to accomplish the same thing. I've browsed through many pages on the subject, and all I have determined is that there are two programs, SupRip and SupRead, which may or may not be able to do this. Do you happen to know the current "forced subtitle filtering" status of either of these tools? Or, some other (better) way to accomplish this?

3.) Assuming I manage to get a forced-only .sup file from a blu-ray disc, is there an AVIsynth filter that will show the subtitles exactly as they were on the original disc, so that I can hardcode them that way? I use VobSub/VSfilter.dll for this with DVDs, at least I think it's showing them identical to the DVD :)

[setarip_old]

Thank you for the tip.You're quite welcome ;>}

Unofrtunately, I have no answers to your additional questions - but I'm fairly certain that other members will eventually arrive here with additional info...