While I was hopefully waiting on a reply from the community, I continued to work on the subtitles problem. Researching endless hours and testing time after time with nothing but frustrating failure after frustrating failure. Then, I happened upon another forum that was also discussing subtitles and here’s what I found out:
The subtitles on a normal disc are in a PNG format and the WD media players do not recognize this format. First, you have to be able to get the subtitles in a non forced format. Leawo makes a great program called Blu-ray to MKV Converter. This program will allow you to convert the disc to MKV format with the subtitles attached and not forced. Then you have to get the subtitles off of the MKV file and thankfully, there is a program for this (of course) called Subtitle Edit. This beautiful little program will allow you to take subtitles off your file and convert them to the SRT format that the WD media players do recognize. Now you may ask, once I have the subtitles off and converted, how do I put them back on? Great question. I asked it myself, and I found that the wonderful people at MKVToolNix have a software program for that!
So here’s the exact way I take my blu-ray movies from disc to MKV format with subtitles that can be turned on and off.
1.) Convert the disc using normal converter software. I use Leawo, but any will do. Do not force the subtitles on.
…a.) This may seem strange since you will have to convert the disc twice, but my reasoning is that this first conversion is much smaller file size (usually half or more) than the second one that takes the subtitles with it. For instance, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on the normal converter is 9.21 GB and on the Blu-ray to MKV with subtitles is 23.83 GB.
…b.) Note: I label the movies after I finish converting and put reg behind this conversion and sub behind the second conversion so that I can easily tell them apart. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone reg.MKV and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone sub.MKV
2.) Convert the disc the second time with Leawo Blu-ray to MKV Converter.
…a.) Before selecting convert, in the right top side of the movie there is Subtitles and Audio. Click the Subtitles arrow. A drop screen will drop with options for subtitles. Usually all the subtitles are selected. Click “None” first and then select the language you want. There are times that there are two “eng” options. I click the first “eng” option. Then select convert and let run.
…b.) I suggest only one subtitle otherwise, there will be more work in the subtitle edit process.
3.) Open Subtitle Edit.
…a.) Click the button on the top left side that looks like a file with paper inside.
…b.) Then select the the MKV file that has the subtitles. Let the program run. It’s takes a bit of time and do not worry if it says the program is “Not Responding”. It’s working.
…c.) Once it’s run 100% (bottom of the screen), click the OCR button. It will begin to run through the subtitles.
…d.) Here is where you can make corrects. Yes, this takes some time and I recommend you make the changes (carefully). I did a test and ran the same movie with not making any changes and fixing the errors I saw and the errors will show up if you do not make the corrections. For instance: g0 will show it correctly on the subtitle edit as go; however when playing the movie, it shows g0.
…e.) After you finish with the OCR an error may pop up. You can download what it asks to fix this, but so far it hasn’t made a difference for me. Just say okay to close it.
…f.) On the upper part, format should be sub rip .SRT
…g.) Correction . . . Do not unbreak. Leave as broken. Unbreak makes the titles super long on the screen instead of two or (possibly three lines).
…f.) Next to the open button you selected in the beginning is a button with a green arrow for save. Click that and save the file.
4.) Open MKVToolNix
…a.) Select new if that is an option.
…b.) Select at the bottom of the page select “add source”.
…c.) Select the original “reg” movie and the srt file.
…d.) Select “start multiplexing”.
…e.) Note: If you plan to use a file that has the original subtitles in PNG format, you will want to deselect them in the section to the left otherwise, when you play the movie you will be able to turn the on and off the PNG file subtitles, but nothing will show up but the srt subtitles.
5.) Ta da. It’s all done. Now you should be able to turn the subtitles on and off.
I hope this helps someone. I think I described it as accurately as I can. If you have questions, feel free to ask. I’ll try to help. Please note that some of the programs will require payment and others are free.
