Subtitles won't appear while playing a Divx CD on my standalone player

[Morbius1]

I have a standalone MPEG4-compatible DVD player which seems to play all kinds of Divx files I have tried so far (Divx3, Xvid, DX50). However, when it comes to subtitles, there is no way I can display them.

What I did is I burned a CD with my Divx (.AVI) and subtitles (.SRT) files with the same file name (except for the extension, of course). I used short filenames: 6 characters, all alphabetical, no special character. I tried the same giving the subtitles file a .SUB extension, but no joy either. By the way, this CD plays without any problem on my PC (and WITH the switchable subs!) using the Videolan app.

The manual that came with the player is very basic and gives no info on how to produce an MPEG4/Divx CD. It only mentions that the player supports subtitles. I purchased this player in Asia and there is no way I can contact the manufacturer for any support.

Is there anything else that I should have done, or that I could try, in the process of creating my Divx CD? Or should I come to the conclusion that, for sure, my standalone player is unable to display switchable subtitles for a Divx CD?

Please bear with me if you find my question trivial as I am a novice in this area. I tried to search this forum for the answer and I also went through some of the FAQ/guides, but no success.

Can anyone kindly help?

[UncasMS]

- have you had a look at the SETUP to make sure "divx subtitles" (or something similar) are mentioned (which sort of proves the player can handle them) and which setting is used for this option?

- did you try to find a firmware update for this player?

[celtic_druid]

DivX subtitles means xsubs in a divx container.

[Morbius1]

- have you had a look at the SETUP to make sure "divx subtitles" (or something similar) are mentioned (which sort of proves the player can handle them) and which setting is used for this option?

- did you try to find a firmware update for this player?

Thanks for your answer.

1. I have tried almost all possible combinations in changing the parameters in the Setup of my player. There doesn't seem to be any "subtitles" option. All the video options I have refer to the TV system, TV type, contrast, brightness, etc.

2. I spent a little time only trying to find a firmware update on the web, and I didn't find anything. I don't even know if the firmware of my player can be updated! (the manual doesn't say anything about this. Should I assume that the firmware can't be updated?). My player's brand name is "Techline". I was unable to find any web site. I also noticed that the Setup Options in the player seem to somehow differ from those printed in the manual. This could suggest that the manufacturer may have modified the firmware after having printed the manual, but it doesn't help more apparently.

I should also mention that the "Divx Certified" logo is engraved on the player. Does this automatically mean that the player should allow the display of the Divx subs?

[celtic_druid]

All DivX certified players can handle divx subs. As I said though DivX subs means xsubs muxed into a divx container. Not an avi with external subs.

[Morbius1]

All DivX certified players can handle divx subs. As I said though DivX subs means xsubs muxed into a divx container. Not an avi with external subs.

Thanks for this input, Celtic_druid. I would like to try.

Could you kindly indicate how I can make a Divx container with subs from an .avi video only file and external subs files? That will same me time (as I said in my original posting, I am a novice...)

[paglamon]

Is PBC turned ON or OFF in ur player?

[Morbius1]

Is PBC turned ON or OFF in ur player?

There is no PBC switch or command in my player.

[celtic_druid]

There are plenty of GUI's for DivX muxing. Haven't tried any of them personally though, so I can't recommend anything.

[photo_angel2004]

There is no PBC switch or command in my player.

To find PBC you will have to use your remote for your stand alone and click your setup button.


In the menues for setup there should be PBC = Play back control that you may want to look in your manual for.

[Morbius1]

I have tried the suggestion from celtic_druid, but no success: I have converted my .srt file into .bmp files, and then into a .xsub file, using 'bmptoxsub'. Then, I have muxed the .xsub file and the original .avi file into a .divx container, using 'DivxMux'. Now, when I play this .divx on my standalone player, it recognizes a subtitle track, but when I select it, I see no subtitles, only the same video and audio than the original .avi. Any clue?

[celtic_druid]

Did the .divx play with subs on the PC?

[Morbius1]

Did the .divx play with subs on the PC?

No, it did not. I tried with both MPC and VLC and I can't see any subtitles. However, VLC seems to detect the subtitles track in the Divx container, but I can't get it to display the subs. Also, when I open the container with VLC, I noticed that VLC indicates the presence of a 3rd stream (in addition to the Video and Audio Streams) which was not here in the original .avi. Its features are:
Codec: DXSB
Type: Video
Resolution: 720x480
Not sure if that helps. I have no experience with Divx containers.

[paglamon]

Make sure that the timecodes in the video match those in the subtitle file.

[Morbius1]

Make sure that the timecodes in the video match those in the subtitle file.

I think that the timecodes match (If I correctly understand your comment), since when I play the original .avi and the .srt files together on my PC, I see subtitles perfectly synchronized with the video.