SSA extraction+insertion

[nightwolf]

Is there a way to extract SSA subs from a DivX encoded AVI when they have been interleaved with SubMux?

How can I then permanently burn the subs into an already encoded movie without loss in quality or considerable filesize increase? I have a filter in virtualDub that adds SSA subs, but whenever I try to use it, I get an enormous file. Please use step-by-step analysis (I don't really know how to use VirtualDub; usually, I just let Gordian Knot take care of things for me).

[WyldeF1r3]

well, the quick and dirty answers are

1) if the subs are burned into the avi file, there's no not-near-impossible way to get them out. There are a few threads around about messy hacks to try and remove them, but I don't honestly know if they work. If the subs are multiplexed with the file in some way such as mkv or ogm you'll have to be more specific for me to answer you.

2) There is no way to burn subs into the image without re-encoding, and when re-encoding, you will always lose quality, though you can limit the loss of quality. You get the enormous file probably because you don't set a codec for compression in virtualdub and gives you an uncompressed RGB file as output. Click on the Video tab, then on Compression and select the codec you wish to use to avoid this. Then you're just stuck with finding the right codec settings to serve you and your encode. That is a matter of debate which spans any forum about codecs and will require more research on your part.

[nightwolf]

I had my subtitles ripped with VobSub (idx, sub) and then converted to SSA with SubResync. I didn't burn the subs onto my AVI. I used SumMux to interleave the two threads - i.e. I still have to use DirectVobSub for the subs to appear when I play the movie. Basically, I want to avoid having to use a program other than my Media Player, and that's why I want to have the subs extracted and then burned on the film.

Thanx for the advice on VirtualDub. That should take care of my problem once I manage to get the subs extracted. Any idea on how to permanently burn SSA subs when encoding a movie for the first time using Gordian Knot?

[dvd_master]

So far, AVISub Deterctor has perfectly removed subtitles from an AVI for me. There's a thread called 'removing subtitles from AVI' or something like that that's 3 pages long, with download links.

[nightwolf]

I tried to use AVISub Detector but it didn't work (an "unknown error" window appeared). Maybe because my subs are NOT burned onto the movie but muxed instead (for example, they do not appear on Virtual Dub's preview window - Direct VobSub is necessary for the subs to appear during playback). The problem is that I WANT them burned on the AVI instead of having to use Direct VobSub. Anyway, thanx for the advice.

[unmei]

Any idea on how to permanently burn SSA subs when encoding a movie for the first time using Gordian Knot?

that's probably the easiest part of your quest :)

you need AviSynth and VSfilter
(i guess they are both installed when you use GK, but i dont know i have never used GK)

in the AviSynth script you add somethere towards the end this line:

TextSub("c:\myVideo\mySubtitle.ssa")

that's it, and then on to the re-encode :)