How to Add External Subtitles to A DVD on Windows/Mac

Posted by Paula Lin in DVD Ripping Tips | Last Updated:

"I downloaded some subtitles in a .SRT file, and want to add them to a movie I have on DVD. I copied the DVD to my hard drive, so I've got the VIDEO_TS directory with multiple .VOB files in there. Is there a way using a free program to add the subtitles to the DVD?"?

"I bought my favorite DVD collection in Spain but it's in Spanish, so is there any software can help me to add English subtitles to my DVD?"

The subtitles can help us to better understand the movie plot or learn a foreign language. However, a DVD movie or video cannot cover all languages, and let alone those native DVDs in other countries. What if there is no subtitle in our language when we watch a DVD movie or video? Feel frustrating? Don't worry! In this article, we will show you two easy ways to add external subtitle to a DVD movie or video.

Method 1. Add Subtitles to DVD During DVD Ripping

This method is going to show you how to rip a DVD to digital file and add an exteranl subtitle track to the resulting DVD rip file. It's easy, fast and always works for both homemade and commercial DVD movies, videos and TV shows.

When you can't find desired subtitle in your movie DVD or TV series DVD, you can insert external subtitle. However, you can't add subtitles to an existing DVD without advanced software and equipment. But the great news is that you can easily hardcode and add external subtitle track to the resulting DVD rip file with professional tool called EaseFab DVD Ripper.

It can not only help you rip DVD with desired built-in subtitles and forced subtitles, but also let you add external subtitles in *.srt, *.ass and *.ssa formats to the ripped DVD video. Moreover, it can help you rip DVD to MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, MPEG, and 350+ other formats with ultra-fast encoding speed and zero quality loss.

To begin with, you make sure you've got the external subtitle in *.srt, *.ass or *.ssa format ready. If not, you can download movie subtitles from reliable subtitle sites like Moviesubtitles.org, OpenSubtitles.org, Subscene, etc. Now free download and install EaseFab DVD Ripper on your computer and follow the tutorial below to attach subtitles to a movie on DVD permanently in a few simple steps.

Simple Steps of Adding External Subtitles to DVD

Step 1. Load the source DVD movie.

Insert the DVD you want to add subtitle to the DVD drive, then click Load DVD button to load the DVD content to the ripper and list all the titles. Double-click one of the titles, and you can preview the movie in the Preview window on the right.

Add Subtitles to the DVD video

Step 2. Add external subtitle.

To add the subtitles you like, simply click Subtitle tab and you will see all the default subtitles listed, you can choose one preferred subtitle per your needs. If there isn't the subtitle track you need, simply click Add Subtitle button to browse and import your *.srt, *.ass, *.ssa subtitle file you want to embed.

Step 3. Choose an output format and start ripping DVD with added subtitles.

Click the Profile bar and select an output format, e.g. MP4. Or, you can also directly choose a device to save MP4 video with subtitles to play on the device (e.g. iPhone, iPad, Galaxy Tab, PS Vita, etc). And then click the Convert button to start ripping DVD and adding the external subtitle to the DVD rip file.

Once the conversion completes, you can play the DVD rip file with added subtitles without any problem.

Method 2. Add Subtitles to DVD While Playing DVD

This method is using VLC to add subtitles while playing the DVD, it's easy but may not always work as it shoud.

If you're going to add external subtitle to a playing DVD, subtitle players like VLC can do a favor. As a well-known media player that can play DVD and other media types, VLC gives a full control over your subtitle. It allows you to disable subtitle, choose a preferred subtitle, and add external subtitle file. Now follow the guide below to learn how to add subtitles to your DVD during the playback.

Step 1. Luanch VLC media player, click Media, and choose Open Disc... Then, a small window will pop up. You should choose the DVD you want to play and add subtitles to. Additionally, you can specify starting position (from which title/chapter to play), audio, and subtitles. Once done, hit the Play button at the bottom. You DVD should start playing.

VLC Open DVD

Step 2. Click Subtitle at the top menu bar, and now you will see Add Subtitle File... Simply hit it and then browse and open the subtitle file you want to add to this DVD. VLC supports a wide range of subtitle format, such as SRT, SUB, and ASS. Once added, you will find VLC is playing DVD with the newly added subtitle track.

Add Subtitles to DVD in VLC

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About The Author

Paula Lin

Paula Lin is the marketing manager of EaseFab Software. She pursues common progress with her team and expects to share creative content and useful information with readers. She is responsible for digital and multimedia world, delivering definitive DVD, video and audio related software reviews, enlightening guides, and incisive analysis.


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