Subtitles

XBMC supports both subtitles that are embedded into the video-file (as is the case when watching DVD-Video movies) as well as stand-alone subtitle files, (embedded VobSub subtitles, also known as DirectVobSub, inside AVI, OGM, MKV, or MP4 are however not supported yet). XBMC supports SRT, SUB, TXT, SMI, SSA, AQT, JSS, MPL and VobSub subtitle formats. To use stand-alone subtitle files with video files simply place the subtitle file in the subtitles folder defined in AdvancedSettings.xml, (this subtitle folder defined in AdvancedSettings.xml can be a SMB share), or alternatively use the same folder as the video file. You can also choose to manualy browse for the subtitle file. You can configure the way that they are displayed though the Subtitles Settings, and you can also adjust where they are displayed onscreen through the Video Calibration Screen.

The subtitle and video files must have the same name, for example:

Video File: The Matrix.avi
Subtitle: The Matrix.srt

By default subtitles are turned on except when playing a DVD-Video movie. They can be turned ON\OFF manually from the OSD (On Screen Display). Note! External stand-alone subtitle files are not yet supported for DVD-Video movies.

XBMC also supports (compressed) VobSub subtitles. Please note that the subtitles inside the RAR archive still need to have the same name as the video file.

It is also possible to use flipped (bi-directional) subtitles. This means that the subtitles will be displayed from right to left instead of left to right. This is useful for subtitle in Semic languages (Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi..., etc.).

Using Multi Language Subtitles

XBMC supports the use of more than one external subtitle. This of course is most useful when you have more than one subtitle file, (eg. for more than language).

To use this functionality you need to rename the video file and subtitle files as follows:

Video File: The Matrix.avi
Subtitle 1: The Matrix.English.srt
Subtitle 2: The Matrix.French.srt
Subtitle 3: The Matrix.German.srt

The dot after the filename but before the extension specifies the language (you can use anything here, mix numbers and and letters or just use one or the other).

You can even mix subtitle format, XBMC currently supports MicroDVD, srt, smi, vplayer, rt, ssa, aqt, sub, jss, mpl and VobSub (idx + sub) subtitle formats. eg:

Video File: Movie Name (2006).avi
Subtitle 1: Movie Name (2006).Chinese.idx
Subtitle 1: Movie Name (2006).Chinese.sub
Subtitle 2: Movie Name (2006).Japanese.idx
Subtitle 2: Movie Name (2006).Japanese.sub
Subtitle 3: Movie Name (2006).English.srt
Subtitle 4: Movie Name (2006).French.smi
Subtitle 5: Movie Name (2006).German.ssa

The subtitles can be changed via the OSD (On Screen Display) while watching a movie.

Adjusting Subtitles Position

The position of the subtitles can be adjusted vertically (but not horizontally) in the Video Calibration screen, you can also configure the way that they are displayed though the Subtitles Settings.