[GUIDE] Convert Hi-Res IDX/SUB to C200 Compatible

[MadHorse]

This is a little guide to convert Hi-res IDX/SUB subtitles with Low-res (DVD) subtitles compatible with C200.

READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN!!!!!

Probably this guide need more test to be sure is flawless.
The converted subtitles are Low Resolution, are not very good looking but is better than nothing.

If you find errors please let me know

Software Needed:
MKVToolnix As the name say some tools to work with MKV files
MKVExtractGUI GUI for MKVExtract
BDSup2Sub A Java program to create/convert IDX/SUB files
Java (JRE) If you don't have java you must download and install.

1. Extract IDX/SUB Files

If you already have IDX/SUB files go to step 2.

Install MKVToolinx (mkvtoolnix-unicode-3.2.0-setup) and extract MKVextractGUI.exe, MKVextGUI.cfg and mkxuncat.exe from MKVExtractGUI-1.6.4.1Wizard-1.2 to the folder where mkvextract.exe is (where you've installed MKVToolnix).



Execute MKVextractGUI.exe, open the mkv file, select the subtitle tracks and press the Extract button, wait for the job to finish (can take some minutes).



Now you have two files (IDX + SUB) for every subtitle track in the same folder where the mkv file is located.

2. Convert IDX/SUB Files

Now open BDSup2Sub.jar, in windows you can just double click, if jar files are associated to other software (example Nokia PC Suite) you can start using the command javaw -jar BDSup2Sub.jar from the command prompt.

Go to File -> open and select the idx file to convert.
After the sub is loaded, a conversion options window pop up, if it doesen't go to settings -> Conversion Settings.
Flag Convert resolution and select NTSC (720x480) from the drop down list and click ok.



Select the output format (I'll stay with SUB/IDX) and choose the Filter (I use Lanczos3 but make some try to find what's the best for you).



File -> Save/Export give your sub a name, select language and click save.



Now is time to recreate our mkv with new subtitles.

3. Mux MKV

Open mkvmerge GUI, click add and open the original MKV and the converted IDX/SUB files.
Uncheck all the subtitle tracks and move the converted subtitle up or down (After the audio tracks) in the right order (the first subtitle track is subtitle 1, the second track is subtitle 2 and so on).
Choose an output filename and click Start muxing and wait 'till the process end.




Well done, now you have a video file with IDX/SUB subtitles compatible with c200.

[spawn]

Nice Guide

[chris57]

Great guide, just one query where you suggest using the NTSC setting id that always the case or should you use PAL on 25/50fps files?

[MadHorse]

(02-17-2010 08:24 AM)chris57 Wrote:  Great guide, just one query where you suggest using the NTSC setting id that always the case or should you use PAL on 25/50fps files?

Hi Chris57, for me is always the case, this setting change only the resolution but the framerate is the same of the original file.
The resolution for high definition movies is the same for both PAL and NTSC, converting the subtitle to dvd resolution the best balance is to select 720x480 (NTSC), if you go with 720x576 (PAL) resolution the subtitles are too squeezed.
To mantain the same proportion the right resolution should be 720x405.

[dbone1026]

Thx for the guide, I now got my forced subs showing on the C-200. One problem though, when they show they are surrounded by a purple box (I used same settings as you). Any ideas what is causing this as this purple box only shows up with the PCHs and not my HTPCs. Thanks.

[dbone1026]

(03-19-2010 12:12 AM)dbone1026 Wrote:  Thx for the guide, I now got my forced subs showing on the C-200. One problem though, when they show they are surrounded by a purple box (I used same settings as you). Any ideas what is causing this as this purple box only shows up with the PCHs and not my HTPCs. Thanks.

Figured out why I was getting the purple box. I was using Lancozs3, once I switched to Bilinear it was fine