Need help understanding Forced Subtitles...

[PredatorVI]

I finally upgraded my NAS to allow for Ripped BluRay and now I'm trying to use the BluRay copy for the first time.

I want to work out the forced subtitles issue for me meaning that the movie plays normally in English but that when they speak a different language then it will show the subtitle text.

I'm using DVDFab 9.0.2.2 and Marve'ls the Avengers as my test disc.

I am in the BluRay Copy "Main Movie" feature and DVDFab selected title 532 as the default. It lists only one English Audio track which is selected (English DTS-HD Master/7.1 - Remove HD Audio is NOT checked). It has 2 English subtitles as well as French and Spanish. I have unchecked French and Spanish, checked ONLY the first English subtitle and click to the left of the first English subtitle and it puts a small arrow next to it.

After pressing play in the Preview screen, I fast forward to the scene when BlackWidow is being interrogated. The SubTitles are in FRENCH!



I switch to track 800 which seems to have more audio and subtitle selections but one less chapter. I have selected all 3 English Audio tracks, selected ONLY the FIRST English subtitle (has arrow and check box). Again Subtitles show in FRENCH!

Not to mention, playback is unwatchable and choppy. What am I doing wrong? My system is an Intel Core i7-960 w/ 12 GB ram, 1 OCZ Vertex 4 SSD and 1 RAID 0 volume all SATA 6.0, with 2 x ATI HD5770 (CrossFire). Playback should be flawless.

Also, I know this particular movie has some forced subtitles and the location of a scene is that uses them, but in most other cases, I don't think I can easily remember if/where a scene exists that requires forced subtitles in order to test them. Isn't there an easier way to deal with subtitles?

[PredatorVI]

Anyone have insight?

[Chetwood]

Isn't there an easier way to deal with subtitles?

Nope because it's complicated: there are (at least) three methods for forced subs:

1. a separate track that only has forced subs
2. a separate track that has only forced subs but is not flagged (subs are turned on by navigational commands)
3. a general track that also has several items which are flagged as forced.

Thus DVDFab has to parse the entire stream to determine which items are forced.

That said, I had no problems with the German forced subs of The Avengers. IIRC they were flagged as forced inside the general track.

[signals]

The "small arrow" is called the "Default Arrow" in DVDFab. This does not select or filter forced subs but makes the entire sub stream display by default when the disc is played. This is could actually be item 4 on Chetwood's list, since it is used on some titles to make the subs play (example: Apocalypto).

The default arrow can also be applied to an audio stream. It only appears in the DVDFab re-author modes (Main Movie, Customize, Merge).

[Chetwood]

MMh, I would count that as a navigational command. On DVDs the SETSTN command is used, I'm sure the BD has something similar.