How to Add English Subtitles to a DVD

With a little preparation, adding your own subtitles to a DVD is easy.

We live in a world where many languages are spoken on a daily basis, so it is hardly surprising that not all videos are in English. Even when a video is in English, you may need to add subtitles to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Knowing how to add English subtitles to a DVD is therefore an important part of DVD video creation.

Things You'll Need

• DVD ripping software
• Subtitle creation software
• Video editing software with DVD video compatibility
• DVD burning software
• DVD burner
• Blank DVD-R
• DVD Video

Instructions

1. Load your DVD ripping software. Insert the DVD containing the video to subtitle into your DVD burner and close the drive. Select the DVD burner drive in your ripping software, usually by selecting "Open disc" from the "File" menu. Allow the software to process the disc.

2. Select the video from the DVD's list of contents. Rip the video to your hard drive. Close the ripping software. Eject the DVD.

3. Load your subtitle creation software. Open the video files you just ripped using the "Open" option from the "File" menu. Generate your subtitles by typing them in at the correct points in the video. Save the file in the .sup file format, the universally recognized format for subtitles, under a name you will remember. (Alternatively, you can download and use a pre-generated subtitle file, if one is available.) Close the subtitle creation software.

4. Load your video editing software. Open the video file you ripped earlier. Select the "time line" view for your video (often found as a tab at the bottom of the screen, although this will vary between programs) so the subtitles time line is visible. Open the folder containing the .sup file you created (or downloaded) and drag it into the subtitles time line.

5. Arrange the time line so the subtitles begin at the same time as the video. Save the video in DVD format. Close your video editing software. Insert your blank DVD-R into your DVD burner and close the drive.

6. Open your DVD burning software and create a new DVD video session. Drag the DVD video files you just created into the "VIDEO_TS" folder of your new session. Click "Burn." Click "Okay."

Tips & Warnings

• Subtitles need not be simply a transcription of what people are saying in a video. Including a description of sound effects, such as a door opening or a telephone ringing, can enhance the video even further for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Similarly, subtitle tracks can be used as an alternative to (or enhancement of) a director's commentary, providing extra information about the video.

• Ripping copyright DVDs without express permission often requires you to circumvent copy protection. This may be a criminal offense in your place of residence and a violation of the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Penalties for breaking the law can include a fine, imprisonment or both, so ripping copyright material is not advised.

References

• Video Help: How to Add New Subtitles to an Existing DVD
• Top Bits: How to Burn a DVD
• PC Stats: Making DVD Movies From Video Files