Import Subtitle File (STL)

Question

Level 2

256 points

Import Subtitle File (STL)

Hi -

I am trying to work out how to import a text subtitle file for use with DVD Studio Pro 4. I've been reading the manual and, from Page 456 it gave this example:

$FontName = Arial
$FontSize = 65
//The following subtitles are for scene one.
00:00:12:04 , 00:00:14:12 , Lemurs are the bullies of the wild.
00:00:16:14 , 00:00:19:08 , Here we see them bring down a moose.

So, I take that bit of text, copy it into TextEdit, save it as an RTF file (Unicode, as recommended) and go to import the file and nothing happens. No subtitle. I've tried both right-clicking in the subtitle track as well as going to the inspector there to insert it that way. No luck.

I've even tried saving the file with different extensions (.txt, .stl, .rtf) and in different character sets (unicode-8, macroman) to no avail. Most often I get: "No corresponding subtitles found" but with some of the attempts it just does nothing. No error; no subtitle.

Anyone have a file I can test that works or tips ? I am stumped since I copied it right out of the book.

Thanks,
Damon

PS: I do have a corresponding video track in place already.

Dual 2.7 PowerMac G5; PowerBook G4 15", Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Mar 4, 2008 3:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Mar 5, 2008 5:28 PM in response to Damon

I have used this technique in the past with success, using RTF files created in MS word. I tried again recently and experience the same thing you did - not even the usual message about "some subtitles were not able to be imported" - just no subs! I'll post back if I find a clue...

Reply

Answer 2

knarfin1

Level 1

0 points

Mar 6, 2008 9:42 AM in response to Damon

That worked for me - I copy/pasted it from the browser into Word 2004 and saved it as "Text Only with Line Breaks"

Subtitle Workshop is also a good utility for working with subtitles.

Reply

Answer 3

Damon Author

Level 2

256 points

Mar 7, 2008 5:56 AM in response to Damon

I finally got it working, what I had to do was try another example. Not sure why this didn't work for two of us but did work for someone else ... as I said, despite various format shifts (unicode-8, macroman) and file types (rtf, txt, stl) I couldn't get the DVD Studio Pro example to work. I found another example on the web, however, and this one did work. The only difference that I see is the number of "options/settings". I even tried removing some of these options/setting at it stopped working. I'm not sure if DVD Studio Pro is requiring all these for a successful import. So, I am making it work by using all the options and then just changing them (and "applying to stream") to get it to work. See the example below from: http://www.geocities.com/mcpoodle43/DVDMaestro/stl_format.html

//English subtitles
$FontName = Arial
$FontSize = 36
$HorzAlign = Center
$VertAlign = Bottom
$XOffset = 0
$YOffset = 0
$ColorIndex1 = 0
$ColorIndex2 = 2
$ColorIndex3 = 8
$ColorIndex4 = 3
$Contrast1 = 15
$Contrast2 = 0
$Contrast3 = 15
$Contrast4 = 0
$ForceDisplay = FALSE
$FadeIn = 3
$FadeOut = 7
$TapeOffset = FALSE

00:00:03:24 , 00:00:06:29 , Did you read the paper today?
00:00:10:07 , 00:00:12:21 , No, did Edwards quote me right?
00:00:14:19 , 00:00:25:28 , Actually, ^IBrillstein^I said you were | unimaginably full of yourself.

Reply