DVD-A won't open .sub file created from Vegas Pro 16

jason-duncan wrote on 12/26/2025, 9:15 PM

Hello,

First time working with subtitles. Goal is the have an optional subtitle track in DVD-A.

I created a text/subtitle track in Vegas Pro 16 build 424. I rendered an AVC muting the subtitle track, and then saved a .sub file soloing the subtitle track.

In Vegas when I select Tools/Scripting/Export Closed Captions for DVD-A/Save, no file gets saved to the desired folder. When I select "Export Regions as Subtitles", it saves a .sub. That .sub file's data says [size: 2 bytes] [size on disk: 0 bytes]. (project is 90 minutes with 478 separate cells of text).

When I import the .sub file in DVD-A 7 build 100, I get an error of "warning: an error occurred while opening one or more files"...

Shouldn't I be able to save a .sub file using "Export Closed Captions for DVD-A"? I'm guessing the .sub file should be larger than 2 bytes? I tried double-spacing the text, didn't help. Am I missing something when I save the .sub file from Vegas?

Comments

DMT3 wrote on 12/27/2025, 2:29 PM

@jason-duncan
In order to export closed captions for DVD, you have to create closed captions. Are you creating closed captions or just text on a track? Same for Export regions, you have to create the title as a region.

jason-duncan wrote on 12/27/2025, 4:28 PM

I imported a .srt file via Vegasaur on a separate text track, adjusted locations, then saved via Tools/Scripting etc. Do you have to make a region for each text (set of subtitles)? or is there a streamline method for all?

Ideally I want selectable subtitles (not closed captions) on the BD via remote control, or by having it as a menu option like you would 2.0 & 5.1 audio.

DMT3 wrote on 12/27/2025, 5:30 PM

I have never done it as regions. I have as Closed Caption. Try importing the SRT as a Closed caption file. Adjust what you need to adjust and then export to SUB. It will then be a subtitle file for DVD A where you can adjust font and size.

jason-duncan wrote on 12/27/2025, 6:38 PM

Ok, I tried to import the .srt, but I remembered why I used Vegasaur to import it; I get an error "the file you imported either has incorrect information or is improperly formatted". The .srt was ripped from dvd via DVDFAB. Once I added Vegasaur as a plug-in, I was able to import the srt. Had to made a few adjustments, then all the text timing matched the audio and looked great. Process is: Insert/Insert subtitles from file.

How do I import the srt as a closed caption? or do I have to convert the srt to CC first?

DMT3 wrote on 12/27/2025, 6:47 PM

Vegasaur can probably do it all, but to import srt go to IMPORT>CLOSED CAPTIONING.

Vegasaur should be able to export to a file compatible with DVDA, I believe.

jason-duncan wrote on 12/27/2025, 8:09 PM

Getting somewhere now thank you. I can see the blue markers (with all of the command data) but I don't see the actual text in the preview. That's not normal, correct? I'll need to see the text so I can adjust etc.

DMT3 wrote on 12/27/2025, 9:57 PM

Yeah, you should be seeing text. Do you have the CC enabled for viewing?

jason-duncan wrote on 12/28/2025, 8:20 AM

Ahh, no I didn't.

There's a solid black bar in the text. When I click edit, it looks like the only thing I can edit is Comment & Position. Is this black bar because it's closed caption vs subtitle?

Also, my premade template isn't available in the Templete drop down. Is this also because I made it using a text track?

DMT3 wrote on 12/28/2025, 8:23 AM

yes, closed caption has the black bar. You cannot do any type design with closed captioning. Just timing. Any other adjustments you can do in DVDA (font, size, position, background. etc)

jason-duncan wrote on 12/28/2025, 12:24 PM

Hey it worked! I saved the .sub file via Export Closed Captioning for DVD A, opened that sub in DVD-A and they appeared. Didn't have the black border either. Now it's just a matter of fine tuning in DVD-A, and trying to figure out a on/off button as a menu option.

Thank you for all your help! I would like to have it work as subtitles vs CC, but this is good enough for this project.