How to Rip a DVD with Subtitles (Hardcoded, Embedded, or Forced)

Quick Answer: Which DVD Subtitle Mode Should You Choose?

To rip a DVD with subtitles, choose the subtitle method based on how you plan to watch the video:

• Hardcode (Burn-in): Subtitles are permanently rendered onto the video image. Choose this if you need 100% compatibility with older TVs, basic media players, or mobile devices that cannot render subtitle tracks.
• Embed (Softcode): Subtitles are saved as independent, switchable streams (VobSub/PGS/SRT) inside MP4 or MKV containers. Choose this if you want to toggle subtitles on/off or switch languages on modern players like VLC or Plex.
• Forced Subtitles: Only displays subtitles during specific foreign-language or non-human dialogue scenes (e.g., Na'vi in Avatar). Choose this to keep standard movie playback clean while ensuring alien/foreign parts remain readable.

For most flexible playback, embedded subtitles are preferable. If your playback device has limited subtitle support, hardcoding is a more reliable option.

Hardcoded vs. Softcoded (Embedded) vs. Forced Subtitles: Which Do You Need?

When ripping a DVD, subtitles are processed into one of three distinct modes based on container format capabilities and player compatibility:

Note: Subtitles on commercial DVDs are not editable plain text files; they are bitmap image overlays known as VobSub (VOBSUB / idx+sub). Because of this graphic nature, ripping a DVD does not automatically generate a .srt text file unless Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is used to convert images into text.

The standard MP4 specification does NOT natively support soft VobSub bitmap tracks. To keep VobSub as softcoded (selectable) subtitles without burning them into the video frames, you must export your file to an MKV container, or convert the VobSub graphics into text-based SRT subtitles first.

1. How to Rip DVD with Subtitles via WinX DVD Ripper Platinum

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum lets you select a built-in DVD subtitle track, preserve forced subtitles where supported, or add an external SRT subtitle when converting a DVD to a digital video format. You can choose common output formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, and more. It also supports multilingual subtitle tracks, so you can select the language you want to keep instead of ripping every available subtitle track.

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Please DO Not use WinX DVD Ripper to rip rental DVDs.

How to Embed Softcoded Subtitle Tracks into DVD

Many DVDs contain multiple built-in subtitle tracks in different languages. If you want to keep one of them when converting the DVD, select the corresponding subtitle track before starting the rip.

Step 1. Import the source DVD.

Click the "DVD Disc" button to load the DVD movie info, this powerful DVD ripper could auto analyze and detect the right DVD main title for you. (You can also choose DVD ISO Image file or DVD folder as the input)

Step 2. Choose an output profile.

Choose an output video format or device profile you'd like to rip the DVD movie. WinX DVD Ripper Platinum provides you 350+ preset output profiles. For example, select ripping DVD to MP4 with subtitles.

Step 3. Select one subtitle track you like.

Open the drop-down list of the subtitle column and choose one subtitle track you want. Options for you to choose: internal subtitle track such as Track 1 [English]. Depending on the source DVD and output format, you may also see options such as Subtitle Disabled, Forced Subtitle, or Add External SRT Subtitle.

Tips: DVDs typically use Vobsub (bitmap-based subtitles), which can cause compatibility issues with certain formats (like MP4). However, MKV files support image-based subtitles without issues. Also, when sourcing subtitles externally, some DVD regions (e.g., PAL) may have speed differences, which could desync external subtitles.

Step 4. Set a destination folder and start ripping.

Click the "Browse" button to select a target folder to store the ripped DVD video. All things done, hit "RUN" to start ripping the DVD with subtitles. Subtitles can be toggled on/off in Plex (or similar media players).

How to Rip a DVD with Forced Subtitles Only

If you don't want the whole movie to have subtitles, but just specific portions that require translation, such as a dialogue in a foreign language, you can choose the "Forced Subtitle" option. By doing so, you could disable the traditional subtitles while still preserving the subtitles that translate foreign language speaking parts periodically throughout the film to help you understand what they are saying. Check how to rip only forced subtitles from a DVD here.

Step 1. Click "DVD Disc" to load the source DVD disc.

Step 2. After the disc is sucessfully added, an Output Profile window will pop up. Choose the output video format or the smart mobile device as you like. Nearly all common formats and gadgets are among the list. You can also backup the Main title or full title of the DVD disc. Done, click "OK".

Step 3. Then it comes to the ripper main interface again. Generally, WinX DVD Ripper Platinum will automatically select the right title of the protected DVDs. At the right title column, open the drop-down list and choose "Forced Subtitle".

Step 4. Destination folder, ripping speed, output quality, output video audio parameters, etc. can be reset according to your needs. All things done, hit "RUN" button to set off the DVD ripping with forced subtitle.

How to Add External SRT Subtitles before DVD Ripping

WinX DVD Ripper Platinum supports importing external SRT subtitles to DVD video. Therefore, even if the foreign language DVD movie do not contain any language subtitles you understand, you can download subtitles of your preferred language from a safe and reliable subtitle download site (such as opensubtitles.org). Now follow the steps below to add external subtitles to DVD in WinX DVD Ripper Platinum.

Step 1. Please download subtitles from online sites.

Step 2. Launch the program, click "DVD Disc" to load the source DVD.

Step 3. Choose an output format for your output video.

Step 4. Click "Edit" button, select the Subtitle tab and tick on the boxes of "Enable Subtitle" and "Extra".

Step 5. Click "Add" to import the target .srt subtitle file you downloaded or created.

Step 6. Select the proper subtitle location and the right language. Then tap "Done" when you finish.

Step 7. Tap "RUN" button to start ripping the DVD with your preferred subtitle. Make sure the SRT file matches the video timing. Otherwise, the subtitles may appear too early or too late during playback.

Legal Disclaimer: WinXDVD, developed by Digiarty Software, is designed strictly for personal, non-commercial media backup under fair use. Digiarty Software strictly respects copyright laws and does not condone, facilitate, or support copyright infringement or unauthorized copying. Users are advised to check and comply with their local DVD copyright laws and regulations before use.

Video Tutorial: How to Rip DVD with External Subtitles

2. How to Rip DVD with Subtitles using HandBrake?

HandBrake is a popular free tool for converting unprotected or user-created DVDs. DVD subtitles are commonly stored as graphic bitmap subtitles called VobSub, so the correct settings depend on your output container.

Step 1. Load the DVD Source and Select a Title

Open HandBrake and load your DVD source. Select the title you want to convert, then switch to the Subtitles tab.

Step 2. Choose the Output Preset and Container

Choose your desired preset and output container. The container determines how HandBrake can handle DVD VobSub subtitles.

Important Container Rule:

MP4: HandBrake cannot pass through DVD VobSub subtitles as soft subtitle tracks in MP4. To include VobSub subtitles, select one track and enable Burn In to permanently render it into the video.

MKV: HandBrake can pass through multiple DVD VobSub subtitle tracks as selectable subtitles. Leave Burn In unchecked if you want to keep them as separate subtitle tracks.

Step 3. Configure Subtitle Tracks and Burn-in Options

• To burn in subtitles: Select the desired VobSub subtitle track and enable Burn In. The subtitles will become part of the video image and cannot be turned off during playback.
• To keep subtitles selectable in MKV: Select the desired VobSub track and leave Burn In unchecked. The subtitle remains a separate track that can be enabled or disabled by a compatible player.
• To handle forced subtitles: In the Subtitles tab, select Foreign Audio Search (Bitmap) from the Track dropdown and enable the Forced checkbox. HandBrake will search for subtitles marked as forced or subtitles that appear only for a small portion of the video. If the correct subtitle track is not detected, manually select the appropriate track and configure it as needed.

Step 4. Start Encoding

Choose the output file location, review your subtitle settings, and click Start Encode. After encoding, check the resulting video to confirm that the selected subtitles appear correctly.

You can click here for detailed HandBrake subtitle guide >>

Quick Rule: For permanently visible DVD VobSub subtitles, use MP4 with Burn In enabled. For selectable VobSub subtitles, use MKV with Burn In disabled.

Troubleshooting: Common DVD Subtitle Ripping Issues & Fixes

DVD subtitle problems can come from the original subtitle track, the output container, or subtitle selection settings. Try the following fixes based on the problem you encounter.

Subtitles Are Out of Sync with the Video

If the subtitles appear too early or too late, check whether the selected subtitle track matches the video title and audio track. External SRT files may also use different timing from the DVD source. If the timing is consistently offset, adjust the subtitle delay in a compatible subtitle editor or media player.

Subtitles Missing After DVD Ripping

Check whether the subtitle track was actually selected before encoding. If you are converting DVD VobSub subtitles to MP4 with HandBrake, they cannot be passed through as a selectable subtitle track and must be burned into the video. For selectable VobSub subtitles, use an MKV output and leave Burn In unchecked.

Subtitle Characters Appear Incorrectly

Garbage characters or incorrect text are more likely to occur with OCR-generated SRT files or external text subtitles than with bitmap-based DVD subtitles. Check the subtitle file's character encoding and language settings, then review OCR results for accented characters, punctuation, and numbers. If the original DVD subtitle is image-based, keeping the VobSub track can avoid text-recognition errors.

Multiple Subtitle Tracks or the Wrong Language Is Selected

Many DVDs contain multiple subtitle tracks, including different languages or subtitle variants. Before encoding, preview or verify the selected track and choose the language you actually need. For forced subtitles, make sure the source uses forced subtitle flags or a separate forced-subtitle track; otherwise, automatic detection may not identify the intended subtitles.

Tip: When troubleshooting DVD subtitles, first identify whether the source subtitle is VobSub or text-based, then check the output container and whether the subtitle is being burned in or kept as a separate track. These three factors usually determine how the subtitle behaves after ripping.

Having buffering issues when streaming DVD rips? Image-based DVD subtitles (VOBSUB/PGS) often force real-time server transcoding. Follow our Plex DVD troubleshooting & setup guide to fix playback errors and metadata matching issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I turn off subtitles after ripping a DVD to MP4?

It depends on how the subtitles were added. If they were burned into the video, you cannot turn them off because they are permanently rendered into the video frames. If the subtitle track was preserved separately, you can turn it off during playback with a compatible media player. For DVD VobSub subtitles, HandBrake cannot pass them through as selectable tracks in MP4, so you need to burn them in when using MP4 output.

2. What is the difference between burned-in and embedded subtitles?

Burned-in subtitles are permanently rendered onto the video image and cannot be disabled. Embedded, or softcoded, subtitles remain as a separate subtitle track inside the video container and can usually be turned on or off by the media player. Burned-in subtitles offer broader playback compatibility, while embedded subtitles provide more flexibility.

3. Can VLC rip DVDs with subtitles?

Yes, but with limitations. VLC Media Player can convert DVDs with subtitles via its Convert / Save menu, but its subtitle transcoding is less reliable than dedicated tools like HandBrake or WinX DVD Ripper.

VLC cannot pass through DVD bitmap subtitles (VobSub) as selectable soft tracks in MP4. To keep subtitles visible in VLC's MP4 output, you must enable "Overlay subtitles on the video" (burn-in). For selectable soft subtitles, using HandBrake with an MKV container is a much more stable workflow.

4. Can You Extract Subtitles from a DVD as Standalone SRT Files?

Yes, but DVD subtitles are usually stored as bitmap-based VobSub images rather than editable text. To create a standalone SRT file, the subtitle images must first be extracted and then converted to text with OCR (Optical Character Recognition). The basic process is DVD VobSub → OCR → SRT. After OCR, review the generated SRT for recognition errors, especially with punctuation, accented characters, and characters that appear briefly on screen.

If you only want subtitles to remain selectable when watching the ripped video, you do not need to convert VobSub to SRT. Keeping the subtitle track in an MKV file can preserve it as a separate selectable subtitle track. You can follow the steps to Extracting subtitles from a DVD.