Handbrake: Adding Subrip subtitles turns them into ASS

[aleqx]

I'd very much like to be able to embed subrip subtitles becuase many players (e.g. Kodi) allow changing the style/color/size for these. However, when I add subrip subtitles, either from external .srt files or by passthrough of existing embedded Subrip subtitles, HB turns them into ASS, which is a styled format not always configurable by players. For example, Kodi always uses the color and size of the embedded subtitles.

Is this a known issue or is it intentional? If not, then I'll upload test files with full logs.

[sr55]

This is intentional.

See https://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34522&p=161536 for more information

[aleqx]

That's a shame, because in many players, e.g. Kodi which is an important one, the subtitles are no longer customizable when in ASS format -- they are customizable when in SRT format.

Would you please consider as an option to preserve SRT subtitles as is? Right now I have to rip them and either reintegrate them into the mkv, or leave them hanging next to the video, then always choose in the player.

[lxlngr]

+1 here

I now have to mkvtoolnix them into my x265. please add .srt option... please!!

[PhilZ-cwm6]

+1 to preserve srt for those who need them

[zjpleau]

+1 to preserve as srt. I always have to skip importing subtitles to Handbrake encodes and add them in manually later with mkvtoolsnix gui

[Bazzu85]

+1 for me too..

[Boozon]

+1 here as well. Pretty please with sugar on top.

A "passthrough SRT" would be an extremely nice option.

I edit and correct all my subtitles, and prefer srt over ass any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Now, when I'm converting a large part of my library to HEVC, I have to extract the srt file from the old file, and then remux it into my new file, since it contains ass instead of srt.

And since were talking several hundred movies, that is a tedious job…

As a standard option, by all means, use the current method.

But would it be an overwhelming programming job to have a "passthrough srt" option? For those well formatted, "I know what I'm doing" subtitles? _(Which is the only kind I produce… ;) )_

[jstebbins]

But would it be an overwhelming

Have you looked at the list of feature requests in the github issues? It is an overwhelming list for 4 people who work an HandBrake a few hours a week. So "+1" isn't helpful. Patches are welcome.

[Boozon]

I’m sorry, I did not know I had to be a programmer to make requests here.

Unfortunately I am not, so I cannot produce or supply patches.

Also, I have no idea how long a feature like this would take to implement. Hence my question whether it would be an overwhelming job. Because I don’t know.

But by all means, don’t let me take up your valuable time. I’ll return to just using Handbrake and not come in here and disturb y’all with requests for features or corrections.

[aleqx]

@jstebbins I think that what @Boozon is trying to say is that he, and we all, are very grateful for all the work you have done and are doing on Handbrake, and we'd also be grateful if you considered adding this to your list of features that was requested by multiple users (it seems everyone thinks it's a better option than the current implementation) who sadly can't contribute with code but who would appreciate and support your work. I for one would be happy to donate, and perhaps so would @Boozon given how much time it seems he would save ...

p.s. You cold remove the "Invalid" label maybe? :)

[jstebbins]

There was already an open feature request issue covering enhanced subtitle configuration when this issue was opened
https://github.com/HandBrake/HandBrake/issues/160

This issue was closed because it isn't necessary to duplicate.

The attitude expressed here has just pushed this to the very bottom of my list of things todo. If you look at the commit logs, you'll see that you've pissed off the one person most likely to help you. Good day to you all.

[aleqx]

@jstebbins I wasn't sarcastic in my post just above yours, and I believe it was beyond considerate. Most posts in this thread were.

I also don't think anyone in here was aware that a feature request for this had already been open -- this thread was closed and labeled "invalid" (quoting a post you made on a forum) without mentioning anything else. Not everyone is a coder. I am, and I didn't know either, devs normally link open issues in dupes they close.

I don't understand your punitive attitude on this (I thought only the USMC was big on punishing everyone if a single member misbehaved), but hey ... if that helps anything then by all means. I may still donate even though I stopped using Handbrake.

[bradleysepos]

HandBrake does not accept donations. Feel free to donate to VideoLAN Foundation or Blender Foundation.

The point here is not to be punitive. We appreciate the community expressing its interests in various features, but loathe +1 posts. They create more noise than value for a volunteer project the size of ours. I hope everyone can understand this.

For more lively discussion, feel free to chat on our forums.

[jstebbins]

I was in fact working on a different subtitle request when I was so rudely interupted. The point is that it will be years before we could possibly respond to all requests. We require help if you want a more accelerated response. These are just the facts.

We make this known to coders and non-coders alike because everyone is capable of helping with something. For example, there's plenty of documentation to be written and proof-read. We ask for help because we really do need it. It's not a passive aggressive response designed to shut people up or chase people off.

This is an open project and you would think there would be more contributors given how many people find it useful. But the number of people that make contributions is sadly small.