how to add subtitles to video

the embedded subtitles are called hardsub. The other one is called softsub.

you can use aegisub to make subtitle file (.ass) first, which can be opened/dropped on videos. You need to do the timing. You can add various effects (beautiful karaoke effects but timing is a bastard ).

if you want a mkv file, you can use MKVtoolnix or MeGUI to encode (either of them would work or both of them would work). The mkv file has the softsub attached to the video so you don't need to drop/open the subtitle file every time you play a video. I think the video player will automatically load the sub file if its directory doesn't change after the first time you open it on a video though.

be aware that if you upload an mkv file with subtitles on youtube or something, the subtitles won't work. Mobile phone might not be able to open mkv files. Another downside is that if there are too many subtitle lines on the same time interval or heavy effects, the video will not play smoothly, might even freeze. Video player can modify softsub (show/hide, larger/smaller size, change font).

after making softsub and add it to a video using MKVtoolnix/MeGUI, you can use mkv to mp4 (or whatever) converter (I don't know many programs, Format factory maybe) but quality might be lost. Another way is to use a video editing program (Sony Vegas for example). But you can only make a hardsub video and won't be able to use your .ass file, meaning do the timing again.

anyway, if you don't intend to upload it on youtube or some website like that, just make a .ass file. You might be able to use your .ass file for youtube subtitles but I'm not sure.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

how to add subtitles to video