Customizing the subtitles
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 4:30 amThere are two kind of subtitles: text and graphics. Text subtitles (*.srt, *.sub...) are just simple text files, they can be opened in a text editor and modified. The graphic subtitles usually are those in idx/sub files, as well as the included in DVDs.
This document deals with text subtitles, as the graphic subtitles can't be changed.
The text subtitles can be displayed in two different ways. The first one displays the subtitles as white (and semi-transparent) text. These are the old/traditional subtitles in MPlayer. The font and size can be changed but not the colors.
A new (and recommended) way to display the subtitles is by enabling the SSA/ASS library. This can be done in the Subtitles menu or in the preferences dialog, in the Subtitles section, under the "Font and colors" tab.
This allows you to customize many aspects of the subtitles, like font, size, colors, alignment...
Usually these settings apply only to *.srt and *.sub files, the actual *.ass files (often included in mkv videos) are not affected. The reason is that *.ass subtitles already provide nice styles for the subtitles, so it may not be a good idea to modify them. Anyway, if you really want to override the ass styles, you can do it by checking the option "Apply style to ass files too". The "Customize" button on the right of this option allows to manually edit the style, and it's intended for advanced users.
This document deals with text subtitles, as the graphic subtitles can't be changed.
The text subtitles can be displayed in two different ways. The first one displays the subtitles as white (and semi-transparent) text. These are the old/traditional subtitles in MPlayer. The font and size can be changed but not the colors.
- 300px-White_subs.jpg (29.62 KiB) Viewed 4507 times
A new (and recommended) way to display the subtitles is by enabling the SSA/ASS library. This can be done in the Subtitles menu or in the preferences dialog, in the Subtitles section, under the "Font and colors" tab.
- 300px-Ass_subs.jpg (29.39 KiB) Viewed 4507 times
This allows you to customize many aspects of the subtitles, like font, size, colors, alignment...
- 299px-Conf_subs.png (36.96 KiB) Viewed 4507 times
Usually these settings apply only to *.srt and *.sub files, the actual *.ass files (often included in mkv videos) are not affected. The reason is that *.ass subtitles already provide nice styles for the subtitles, so it may not be a good idea to modify them. Anyway, if you really want to override the ass styles, you can do it by checking the option "Apply style to ass files too". The "Customize" button on the right of this option allows to manually edit the style, and it's intended for advanced users.