Roku transcodes videos when subtitles are not in English

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Server Version#: 1.25.5.5492
Player Version#: 6.9.16.7509 Roku

I just noticed that when I watch a movie (direct play or direct stream) with subtitles (not external) in a language other than English, the server has to transcode the video. It’s weird because both subtitles are srt and the problem happens with other movies. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Without sub

With English sub (not external)

With French sub (not external)

Bonus

With Spanish sub (not external)

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I heard that Roku seems to have issues with burning subtitles, but it works with English subtitles.
So why not in French or another language?

I think the problem occurred because English subtitle is the only recognized subtitle in the “Captioning Track” option of the Roku.

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My theory is confirmed (I guess)

I created a new version of the movie Rumble in the Bronx. The only difference is that I changed the language of the French subtitle to English (only the type in the metadata) and also changed the title (just to help me find the French subtitle).

The text is still in French

Original version

Edit version

Result

The Roku displays the subtitles in French without transcoding because Roku thinks it’s in English.

This is not a solution that I will replicate on my library, as it would destroy metadata consistency. I did it just to confirm some suspicions I had.

Hope this helps the dev team to fix the problem or implement a workaround such as making Roku think all subtitles are in English (language in metadata).

Thanks.