Embedding subtitles vs seperate files

[David32441]

VLC will auto-read a SRT file if the filename is shared with the video file it's opening, eg.
filmname_(year).mp4
filmname_(year).srt
I assume your subtitle file is timed to the video file. If not fix it in Subtitle Workshop.

So it's nice to encode the subtitle into the film so the 2 are tied together. This is the method I use (note - the video will not be re-encoded and lose quality). The process is known as muxing (re mixing video, audio, subtitle and any other tracks into a new "container"):
1. open the video file and note the frame rate. VLC - Tools - Codec Information - Frame rate = xx.xxx In MPC-HC just go to "File" -> "Properties"
2. download "MKVMerge GUI" - I like the older versions of this. The menus are simpler and I've found no issues with using it eg. v7
3. Drop the video and subtitle file into the "inputs". Highlight the video file from the list of tracks (usually the top one). Click "Format specific options". Change the FPS to match what you found in "1".
4. Click on the subtitle file. Choose the langauge if you know it. Not compulsory. Set default track flag = Yes (so it's auto-on). Forced can be left as No.
5. In the "tracks" section any "tags" can often be removed. Any extra audio tracks can also be removed. But leave in "chapter" tracks if they're present.
6. Click "Start muxing" to generate the new file (should take <1 minute if you have a newish PC). Now, even if there is no ".SRT" file in the folder your video will play with the embedded subtitles.
7. Sometimes the file can be 0.5% smaller than the original (especially if AVI). This is just because the Matroska muxing is better than AVI (Audio Video Interleave) standard.
Test it before you delete your original files!!! I've had audio / video sync issues about 2% of the time. The most obvious issue is the frame rate not matching. If it's a framerate >30fps then sometimes the problem is unsolvable.