How to use SRT file with MP4

Question

Level 1

107 points

How to use SRT file with MP4

I want to use soft subtitles with video so I still have the option to play them without subtitles if I wish. How can I enable QuickTime Player to play MP4 with soft subtitles SRT extension? I can play AVI with subtitles in QuickTime (QT doesn't have codecs for AVI, duh, but I installed Perian to overcome that weakness). I can export the MP4 as AVI, but when I do, the result looks terrible. It seems QuickTime cannot correctly export MP4 to AVI. I can play MP4 with SRT subtitles in VLC Player, but the subtitles don't have decent shading to make them readable, like they do in QuickTime Player. Because of that, I want to find a solution for using MP4 with SRT in QuickTime Player. Any suggestions?

three Macs, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Aug 14, 2009 8:03 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 19, 2015 3:15 PM in response to stephendgreat

i had the same problem until i read your comment

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Answer 2

jojjeee

Level 1

5 points

Jun 25, 2015 11:14 PM in response to Moof666

I realize this post is ancient, but apparently people still find it relevant.

The easiest approach imo. is to use ffmpeg, which you can install via homebrew (brew install ffmpeg) or through some other means.

To embed a srt ("softsub") file into an mp4 container so that QuickTime Player can use it, run the following command:

ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -i sub.srt -c:v copy -c:a copy -c:s mov_text -metadata:s:s:0 language=eng out.mp4

video.mp4

is your source video clip.

sub.srt

is your subrip subtitle file.

eng

is the language the subtitle will be tagged with, and consequently listed as in Quicktime's subtitle menu. If the sub is in another language, specify that language instead (e.g. fra, ger, rus ..)

out.mp4

is the name of the target file that will contain the combined three streams (video, audio and subtitle).

This procedure is completely lossless, so you retain full quality of all three streams.

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Answer 3

Kimi_4

Level 1

4 points

Jul 3, 2015 2:55 AM in response to Moof666

How about converting MP4 to AVI with high quality with third party program? I think you can try Bigasoft Total Video Converter for Mac or QuickTime Converter for Mac. The conversion is fast and output quality is good enough. I have used the tools to convert my files to QuickTime player.

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Answer 4

Jan 2, 2016 7:53 PM in response to Moof666

I just downloaded VLC onto my phone. No ads, no charge. Plays subtitles great. Little cabling and it plays swell on my projector and 120" screen.

I'm getting less and less enamored of my Mac. I've been loyal for years and years and they just seem to get more complex and less reliable. It's sad to me.

Paul

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Answer 5

Sep 12, 2016 4:04 AM in response to Moof666

Subler ( https://subler.org/ ) will add subs to your file so you can use quick time. VLC is great but lacks the possibility to send the video to airplay (apple tv for ex). if you are mirroring the whole computer it works with VLC or other video player but the laptop will warm up considerably and the kicks in. if you just send the file from quick time if works just fine.

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Answer 6

Sep 25, 2016 3:18 PM in response to jojjeee

Your command works wonderfully jojjeee. The subtitles shows really nice and clear fonts in Quicktime. Thanks.

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Answer 7

Sep 16, 2017 4:30 AM in response to jojjeee

Hi,

I Just bought my MacPro and I am new to Mac world, can you please describe how to do the steps you mentioned. sorry if this is too much to ask.

regards,

Ehab

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