Hello
If I have a film that requries subtitles on non-English parts only (Star Wars for example), that are part of the MKV file…
Will Plex automatically pick that up and play the subtitles at the right point?
Will Plex transcode the whole film, even if the subtitles are in just a small part?
Is there anything else I should be concerned with?
Currently using the Server on a Windows PC, the App on an Android TV but looking to change the Windows server to a Synology.
As always, it depends.
Plex can automatically activate “forced” subtitle tracks.
You set up your language preferences under https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/settings/account
like so:
The video file must have the forced subtitles as a separate stream.
The stream must be marked properly as “forced” (only possible in MKV files). Merely naming the stream as forced is not sufficient. It must be the dedicated “forced” flag.
Additionally, both the audio and the subtitle streams must be marked with their respective language information.
The subtitle stream should be in SRT format, as this format is text-based and thus is more likely to be playable without transcoding. Introduction: convert image-based subtitles to SRT with Subtitle Edit
Subtitle format support is dependent on the type of player device.
If the video file has an audio stream which is not compatible with the playback device or is incompatible with the attached speaker configuration, Plex server may still transcode the full file to avoid synchronity issues between video and audio.
So in the ideal case you have at least two audio tracks in your file: the first in AAC stereo and the second one in the original surround sound format - whatever that is.
See this forum section for other related tips https://forums.plex.tv/c/general/tips-tricks-how-tos/15
Thanks.
I’m not sure some are set to “Forced” so I’ll have to check that.
I guess there’ll be a fair amount of work to do on some of these files. I guess Plex cannot use external subtitle files? They must be contained within the MKV?
External subs can be used, but you should only make text-based subtitle formats external.
(i.e. SRT or ASS, but not PGS or VOBSUB) https://support.plex.tv/articles/200471133-adding-local-subtitles-to-your-media/
But if you have more variety in subtitles than just full, forced, and SDH you want to mux them in.
Because MKV does not only support a “forced” flag but also a “title” for each single stream.
Which enables you to differentiate among several – otherwise seemingly identical – subtitle streams. Like for instance different “commentary” streams, or the occasional “sing along” lyrics display and other things.
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