How do I convert .mkv with subtitles to .mp4?

[Nate111]

Recently I've tryed converting a .mkv file to a .mp4 file for my ipod using Handbrake. The origanal .mkv file sayed it had subtitles, so I thought that all I had to do was convert it to a .mp4.The convertion worked well (like Handbrake usually does) but the subtitles didn't show. So just to make sure they were really there, I put the .mkv file into the progam VLC and the subtitles were there.

So the .mkv has subtitles but I can't get them into the same .mp4 file using Handbrake. Anyfree suggestions?

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Recently I've tryed converting a .mkv file to a .mp4 file for my ipod using Handbrake. The origanal .mkv file sayed it had subtitles, so I thought that all I had to do was convert it to a .mp4.The convertion worked well (like Handbrake usually does) but the subtitles didn't show. So just to make sure they were really there, I put the .mkv file into the progam VLC and the subtitles were there.

So the .mkv has subtitles but I can't get them into the same .mp4 file using Handbrake. Anyfree suggestions?

Make sure you told handbrake to add a subtitle track.

 

[Arc]

And here is the option :

 

[Totenschlaggh]

If I remember correctly, .mp4 does not support soft subtitles, and Handbrake cannot burn .SRT's into the picture.

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

I did some reading up on the issue (since the only video's Ive converted had subtitles but were MKV), Totenschlaggh is correct in saying MPEG4 files can't do subtitles. Now... AVI and MPEG2 files can.

Not sure on the MPEG2 but AVI can be done with VirtualDubMod. Guide for it here: How to convert matroska MKV to AVI or OGM to AVI

 

[Nate111]

So I tryed using the subtitle section in Handbrake, but that didn't work so I tryed using VirtualDubMod but the program didn't work. So if any one knows how I can get that to work, that would be grait.

Nate111

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Try this (post #9 and #11)

How to convert MKV to AVI with subtitles?

 

[Nate111]

Try this (post #9 and #11)

How to convert MKV to AVI with subtitles?

Ok so far it's working, i'm in the second step and waiting for a download to complete. wish me luck.

 

[whs]

If you do not succeed, try Format Factory. The subtitle settings are on the bottom of Output settings on the second page (after you selected e.g. Avi and added your file). Click on the individual items of Additional Subtitle and you can roll down the options on the right. That program works real well.

 

[Ponmayilal]

Get your mkv embedded with the subtitles and then convert it to MP4. This may be a possible solution. ( I make my mkv files from BDs with DVD Fab and with subtitles directly rendered on to the video.)

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Get your mkv embedded with the subtitles and then convert it to MP4. This may be a possible solution. ( I make my mkv files from BDs with DVD Fab and with subtitles directly rendered on to the video.)

You can mux in hard subtitles, but they then become part of the frame instead of a "track". MPEG4 doesn't allow for "soft" (track) subtitles. MKV, MPEG2, AVI do.

 

[Ponmayilal]

Yes. More often than not we need only one subtitle and when it is a foreign language film we don't mind the subtitle being part of the frame and always on.

 

[Nate111]

Good news!

If you do not succeed, try Format Factory. The subtitle settings are on the bottom of Output settings on the second page (after you selected e.g. Avi and added your file). Click on the individual items of Additional Subtitle and you can roll down the options on the right. That program works real well.

Ok good news. I got the .mkv to be converted to a .avi with the subtitles using Format Factory. The only downside is that the text of the subtitles has a random font size.... and that result was with the default setings for the subtitles. so I'm currently reformatting the .mkv but with the subtitle text size to a new size, rather that just default. so lets see what happens in a bit.

 

[whs]

Good Nate. I hope it will come out to your liking this time.

 

[Nate111]

Ok so after setting the subtitle text size to 3 (4 being the default) the resulting .mp4 file (rather than .avi like the fist time) had subtitles with consistent text size! so I have succefully reformatted a .mkv to a .mp4 file.
thank you everyone for your help.

nate111

 

[whs]

Cool. Confirms that Format Factory is good to keep around.

 

[Wishmaster]

Why convert at all?
If you just want to move from MKV to MP4, just use MKV merge to Demux all tracks.

Then, use MP4box or a MP4box GUI such as YAMB, to re-mux the Audio, Video, Subs into a MP4 conatiner.

No recoding needed, and takes about 2 minutes.

 

[whs]

Why convert at all?
If you just want to move from MKV to MP4, just use MKV merge to Demux all tracks.

Then, use MP4 or a MP4box GUI such as YAMB, to re-mux the Audio, Video, Subs into a MP4 conatiner.

No recoding needed, and takes about 2 minutes.

I wonder what would happen if you just changed the filetype. Works for some filetypes.

 

[Wishmaster]

No idea, never tried it.

Be intersted in knowing though, for curiosty sake if nothing else.

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Why convert at all?
If you just want to move from MKV to MP4, just use MKV merge to Demux all tracks.

Then, use MP4 or a MP4box GUI such as YAMB, to re-mux the Audio, Video, Subs into a MP4 conatiner.

No recoding needed, and takes about 2 minutes.

I wonder what would happen if you just changed the filetype. Works for some filetypes.

Tried it. No go. MPC or VLC (may) be able to play it but at best it's hit/miss.