AVIAddXSubs v9.14
Incorporates XSUB subtitles to avi files &
Creates idx/sub subtitles for any kind of video file
(from srt)
Last update 10/3/2013

Download (at the new site)

PLEASE NOTE! NEW AVIAddXSubs site is at aviaddxsubs.blogspot.com. Update your links.

AVIAddXSubs is a simple to use, free program to subtitle videos converting the original srt files you may have. Its services are useful in cases your hardware player is not able to show the subtitles directly from srt or even if it does the result is not satisfactory. Using AVIAddXSubs and converting the srt you have a variety of options to configure the subtitles as regards font, font size, color, outline, position, etc. This effect is achieved through a srt conversion to another format where the subtitles are stored as bitmaps (that is, images) already prepared in your PC.

This conversion process, takes a few minutes (or a few seconds in many cases) and it doesn't re-encode the video so its quality remains exactly the same. The generated subtitles are "soft", not burned in the picture, so the user is able to activate/deactivate through his/her player's remote control the same way it does at normal DVD playback.

There are two such subtitle formats that can be used alternatively depending on which your player supports better.

The XSUB format where the generated bitmaps are presented as an additional stream inserted (or incorporated) in the video file itself. This works only with avi files. In this case another avi is generated that has the subtitles incorporated. Note that the input file for XSUB conversion can be in idx/sub format too. In case of other file formats (mp4/mkv), if XSUB is the only kind of subtitle supported, AVIAddXSubs can automatically convert mp4/mkv files, using ffmpeg, to avi and then incorporate XSUB subtitles. For more information read "Converting mp4/mkv to avi for XSUB subtitle incorporation" section in user manual.
The idx/sub format. This format uses a pair of files, one with extension idx and another with extension sub. These files go together and replace the srt in your player. Using idx/sub, because are external files (that is, not incorporated), you can subtitle any kind of video file. avi/mkv/mp4, you name it, if your player supports the combination.

To incorporate XSUB subtitles (default use of the program) just place the avi and its associated (same name) srt (or idx/sub) in the same directory and Drag&Drop the avi on AVIAddXSubs icon or shortcut in your desktop. In 2-3 minutes a new file with divx extension will be created and be ready to play in your hardware DivX/XVid player. For example from the files:

anyvideo.avi
anyvideo.srt

you get

anyvideo.divx, to play in your hardware DivX player.

To see the subtitles you have to activate them through your remote control much like you do with normal DVD. Check the configuration page of the program for the offered options. Maybe you have to put a smaller number at "Vertical Position" field if subtitles are selectable, are selected, but do not appear. The generated file is a regular avi and you can rename it if this helps the player.

In a similar way you can convert srt to idx/sub. You have to go at "Configuration 1/SUB 1" and select idx/sub instead of XSUB. To view the video just place it together with the generated idx/sub:

anyvideo.avi
anyvideo.idx
anyvideo.sub

In total the user has the following subtitling alternatives:

To incorporate XSUB subtitles in the avi from srt files.
To incorporate XSUB subtitles in the avi converting idx/sub files.
To incorporate XSUB subtitles in the avi coming from a combination of srt and idx/sub files.
To convert mp4/mkv automatically to avi and then incorporate XSUB subtitles.
To generate idx/sub files from srt and use them as external subtitle files (in place of the original srt) in supporting players to subtitle any kind of video (avi/mkv/mp4 etc).

For more information and a detailed User Guide, please click here.

ZIP File contents

AVIAddXSubs.exe : Main utility
SUBRenamer.exe : Renames avi and its associated srt under a new name following AVIAddXSubs rules in case of multiple subtitles.
AVIAddXSub.dll, calclib.dll : Needed by the executables.
menu.avi. This file is as small video which is used in case the user adds CHAPTERS (XSUB only) to the generated files.

Installation

Just unzip the downloaded file in a directory. The program (AVIAddXSubs.exe) is ready for use. You can create a shortcut in your desktop that will help you to drop files on it.

Quick Start

Create a shortcut of AVIAddXSubs.exe in your desktop.
In a directory place the AVI file and its associated (same name) srt. e.g. movie.avi and movie.srt.
Drag & Drop any number of avi files (in the same folder) to the icon of AVIAddXSubs in the desktop. You can also drag&drop any number of folders instead of separate files. In this case avi/divx files in these folders and their sub-folders will be processed. You can also start the program with a right click on a selected avi (or group, even a group of folders). See "Right Content menu option" at "Configuration 2" tab.
At Configuration/SUB1 edit character set and language to your local (Use ANSI for character set in case of English/Spanish/Italians/Germans etc).
At "Configuration 1"\"SUB 1" select XSUB (default) or Idx/Sub.
Press "Start"

That’s it!

Quick List of Facts

After the incorporation of the XSUB subtitles, the .srt is not needed any more. Do not put this file together with the generated divx (or idx/sub) in the player to avoid confusion. But do not delete srt if you wish to keep files after viewing. It is advised to keep and store the original video file with its srt and when you wish to view it again, generate again the subtitles. This helps in cases you have already change your player and another configuration at AVIAddXSubs is needed to get the best subtitles.
Please have in mind that this program's purpose is to show subtitles in your hardware player and not PC. At PC, for testing reasons before burn, use DivX player from www.divx.com. In case you just want to view subtitled videos at PC there are more suitable methods than subtitle incorporation, like DirectVobSub. You can download related software from here.
You can incorporate XSUB subtitles (or generate idx/sub) to many video files in the same time if all those files reside in the same folder (for example the avi of a whole season together with their srt). Just select the files and drag&drop in program's icon or shortcut. You can also select and drag&drop any number of folders. In this case all avi/divx files in these folders and sub-folders will be processed.
There is no re-encoding in XSUB incorporation so video quality is not diminishing. XSUB subtitles is a technology (and trade mark) introduced from DivX company. XSUB are not actually burned in the picture the way other programs do. XSUB subtitles are inserted in the avi as an additional stream (other than video and audio) and work in similar way as the subtitles offered from normal DVDs.
In case you wish to replace the incorporated subtitles just repeat the operation with another srt (or idx/sub). AVIAddXSubs always removes any subtitles already existed in the source avi/divx file.
This program do not use third party utilities like DivXMux. So all the many problems that come from this utility, disappear.
Supports the following OS: NT/W2K/XP/VISTA/WIN7. Works also with Wine in Linux. At Intel Macs you can use a program called Crossover (not freeware although). I have read that Mac users can use, too, a freeware program called Darwin (now WineBottler) to run AVIAddxSubs in their Mac. Download and try it from here. You have to install the fonts that come with it. You can use also Wine in Mac.
You can use DivX Player from www.divx.com to see the XSUB subtitles in your PC. But have in mind that the results you see there, under the current configuration of the AVIAddXSubs, will not, mandatory, be the the same in your player. To configure the program so subtitles appear in the most wished position there is no other way than experimentation. Please start with the default options see the result and improve it modifying two numbers in VP/CP options (Horizontal and vertical position) under "Configuration 1/SUB1".
Subtitles for "latin" languages like english, Italian, French, German etc, have to use ANSI at character set option at configuration page. For Japanese subtitles use SHIFTJIS at character set option. Please note that from version 8.2 there is another selection, DEFAULT. This selection takes the character set of the computer itself, so this can be the option for most of the languages and no need to be changed to anything else. Exception: RTL languages.
As regards RTL languages (Arabic, Hebrew) subtitles will be generated correctly only on PCs that have these languages properly installed. Also selection DEFAULT (at "Character set" option) will not work for those languages.
If you downloaded subtitle files in other formats than srt, still you can use AVIAddXSubs to incorporate the subtitles. Just use Subtitle Workshop (freeware too) and convert almost from any subtitle format to another.

AVIAddXSubs & WDTV

WDTV is a media box produced by Western Digital. If subtitles directly from srt are not satisfactory to you, you can use idx/sub as an alternative, generated through AVIAddxSubs. It converts srt to idx/sub in seconds. You have to accompany your video files, instead of srt with the idx/sub files generated.

Configure AVIAddXSubs with the selections below and start subtitling your avi/mkv/mp4 (or any kind of video file):

At "Configuration 1\SUB 1":

VP=540
CP=360
Check Idx/Sub.

At "Configuration 2":

Check "Do not copy avi when no XSUB"
Check "Do not convert idx/sub to XSUB"

Please note that WDTV supports only black&white subtitles (or shades of gray). As of the moment you cannot get "colorful" subtitles.

For more options or cases of multiple subtitles please consult User Guide.

Note: The above configuration applies in the First generation of WDTV.

AVIAddxSubs & PS3

PS3 from firmware version 2.2 supports XSUB subtitles. Check this site if it can help you in configuration matters.

In case subtitles do not appear in your hardware DivX Player

Be sure that subtitles are activated through your remote control. Is there a list with subtitles when you press the button for subtitles? Note that this will happen when the avi starts playing. Not before. So wait to finish initialization and start playback.
Test with all available options in "Mark DivX as".
Test with "Full Screen" checked and unchecked.
Use various values in "Vertical Position" (VP). You can create many subtitles from the same srt with different VP. See user guide on how. Smaller VP moves subtitles up in the screen, greater moves them down.
In some players equipped with USB port, XSUB subtitles do not appear when the avi is placed in a device connected to this port. Try also a CDRW/DVDRW to see if things go better from there.
Check if your player is in the list (below) of the "reported working well". If it is there then something you do wrong.

Players that users have reported as working well (XSUB).

What is new?

9.14

A change in "Subtitle bitmap" options to better adapt in the current situation and experience and make them more clear for the user. Today video files belong in three resolution categories, Standard (old TV), 720, 1080. Previously user had to resort to "custom" option and enter Width and Height manually for any other resolution except standard. Now user is able to select any of the three predefined resolution categories and resort to "Custom" option for very special cases.

Full Version History

Comments or Questions

Please visit the new official site at: http://aviaddxsubs.blogspot.com/