Is there a way to have more than one SRT external subtitle file, without playing games like using different language codes? I have a video where one subtitle is HI, and a second is subtitles describing the locations for various shots.
I’ve tried things like adding a “-1” on the movie title name, or adding a .1. to the name:
Awaken (2018)-1.srt
Awaken (2018).1.srt
That doesn’t work and the PMS actually DELETES the files when I refresh metadata on the title.
I have them both ways (though I prefer lang_code.sdh/forced.srt because it keeps them grouped together properly).
Forced subtitles, in case you aren’t aware as some people aren’t, are meant for when a foreign language is spoken during the movie/show so you know what is being said.
As an example, if the audio language of your media is English, then the forced subtitles would be English also because you would need subtitles for the parts where they are not speaking English (so a foreign language or some made up language like Alien language).
Regarding you mentioning that the files are being deleted, that doesn’t sound right as Plex shouldn’t delete files unless you allow it to delete files (I think that setting might be on by default). However, there are certain conditions for that to actually happen like having the setting to delete files after watching or as the admin deleting the file from the context menus.
Your logs might give more information as to what was actually happening, but from my understanding, just refreshing your media shouldn’t cause Plex to delete the files on your actual file system.
Thanks for the reply. Am aware of all the codes and formats, and as mentioned didn’t want to use language codes for this. I could probably use the HI format.
I don’t have any options for deleting files enabled, and my understanding is that those deal with client support for deleting files from the server. But if I create an SRT file that doesn’t follow the documented naming formats, the files disappear when I refresh metadata on the object.
Is there any particular reason you don’t want to use the language codes?
The subtitles are going to be in a specific language and if you don’t have a language code the subtitles are going to show up as “Unknown (SRT)” in the drop down list.
I just tested on my test server by naming the file
Movie (Year).1.srt
as you have mentioned in your OP and it shows up with the language as “Unknown (SRT External)” as expected.
One thing is that I have my file system to be set as read-only (I’m using Docker so I mapped the location as RO when I set it up, therefore making sure Plex will never be able to delete files). Based on that, I can’t verify anything with files being deleted because it’s just not possible.
That said, I really don’t see any reason why Plex would delete the file if it isn’t named in the recommended way. There really is no logic for it and it seems odd as people have named media files against the recommended way and Plex doesn’t delete them.
The other option you have, especially if you are using MKV containers, is to use MKVToolNix to mux the SRT subs into the container. You can then label the tracks with what they are and it will be easier to identify, such as:
The names under “Language (SRT)” are what I put in the track name field, so for your stuff you could put more info, like “Location details” and that is what will show. If the sub is forced like I mentioned above, you can set the forced track which will accomplish the same things as putting .forced in the name of the SRT file.
I don’t know why it’s doing it… but it is deleting them.
Just not really into having a language because that’s not exactly descriptive (or maybe misleading). Not that I can’t live with it, I guess it disturbed my sensibilities.
Hadn’t considered muxing the SRTs in. These are getting used in MKVs of UHD rips, and I’m not sure that embedding them isn’t going to trigger Plex trying to burn them in. I’ll test that. Thanks for the idea.
-Alan
That’s a rather rare form of subtitles. For me they belong into the category “extras” or maybe “commentary”.
There is no other method than muxing them into the mkv container and giving them a descriptive title.
Labeling a subtitle stream as “English” simply informs the user that the text inside is in English script, for a person who understands English.
Thanks very much for this suggestion. I did not realize I could use that to embed SRTs into the MKV, and particularly to label them. I’ve tried this out and it does work for me (I feared it would trigger a trancode to burn subtitles on this UHD video, but it does still direct play).
I see the name of the SRT shows in the Web UI, and in the Infuse player subtitle selection. Doesn’t in the Plex ATV app, but I use Infuse mostly. So this is pretty much what I was hoping for.
