Getting the subtitle file out of a video
intertitle works with a subtitle file (.srt, .vtt or .ass). If your episode is an .mkv or .mp4 with the subtitles inside, pull them out with ffmpeg, a free command-line tool. It takes seconds.
Windows
Other options
macOS
Other options
Linux
Other options
Windows
Open PowerShell (Start menu → type “PowerShell”) in the folder with the video and run the commands there.
Install ffmpeg
Install ffmpeg once: winget install ffmpeg, or download it from ffmpeg.org and add it to your PATH.
1. List the subtitle tracks
ffmpeg -i .\Episode.mkv
Look for lines with “Subtitle”. Each one shows a language and a format: subrip (SRT), ass, webvtt, or hdmv_pgs_subtitle and dvd_subtitle (images, see below).
Stream #0:2(ger): Subtitle: subrip (default)
Stream #0:3(eng): Subtitle: subrip
Stream #0:4(ger): Subtitle: hdmv_pgs_subtitle
2. Extract the track you want
ffmpeg -i .\Episode.mkv -map 0:s:0 .\Episode.de.srt
0:s:0 means the first subtitle track; use 0:s:1 for the second, and so on. The file lands next to the video.
# the second subtitle track, as SRT
ffmpeg -i .\Episode.mkv -map 0:s:1 .\Episode.de.srt
# an ASS track, kept as ASS
ffmpeg -i .\Episode.mkv -map 0:s:0 -c:s copy .\Episode.de.ass
macOS
Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal), go to the folder with the video (cd …) and run the commands there.
Install ffmpeg
Install ffmpeg once with Homebrew: brew install ffmpeg.
1. List the subtitle tracks
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv
Look for lines with “Subtitle”. Each one shows a language and a format: subrip (SRT), ass, webvtt, or hdmv_pgs_subtitle and dvd_subtitle (images, see below).
Stream #0:2(ger): Subtitle: subrip (default)
Stream #0:3(eng): Subtitle: subrip
Stream #0:4(ger): Subtitle: hdmv_pgs_subtitle
2. Extract the track you want
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv -map 0:s:0 Episode.de.srt
0:s:0 means the first subtitle track; use 0:s:1 for the second, and so on. The file lands next to the video.
# the second subtitle track, as SRT
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv -map 0:s:1 Episode.de.srt
# an ASS track, kept as ASS
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv -map 0:s:0 -c:s copy Episode.de.ass
Linux
Open a terminal in the folder with the video and run the commands there.
Install ffmpeg
Install ffmpeg once with your package manager: apt install ffmpeg (Debian, Ubuntu), dnf install ffmpeg (Fedora), pacman -S ffmpeg (Arch).
1. List the subtitle tracks
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv
Look for lines with “Subtitle”. Each one shows a language and a format: subrip (SRT), ass, webvtt, or hdmv_pgs_subtitle and dvd_subtitle (images, see below).
Stream #0:2(ger): Subtitle: subrip (default)
Stream #0:3(eng): Subtitle: subrip
Stream #0:4(ger): Subtitle: hdmv_pgs_subtitle
2. Extract the track you want
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv -map 0:s:0 Episode.de.srt
0:s:0 means the first subtitle track; use 0:s:1 for the second, and so on. The file lands next to the video.
# the second subtitle track, as SRT
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv -map 0:s:1 Episode.de.srt
# an ASS track, kept as ASS
ffmpeg -i Episode.mkv -map 0:s:0 -c:s copy Episode.de.ass
Read the subtitle track in your browser
Drop the video file here. Your browser reads only the subtitle track; the video is not uploaded and never leaves your computer. Works with .mkv, .webm and .mp4 files that carry text subtitles.
Drop a video file here, or choose a file
Image subtitles (PGS, VobSub)
Blu-ray and DVD subtitles are pictures, not text, and ffmpeg cannot turn them into an .srt. Subtitle Edit (free, Windows, also runs on Linux/macOS) can: open the .mkv, choose the track, let it OCR, save as .srt.
- Install Subtitle Edit (nikse.dk, free; Windows, also runs on Linux and macOS with Mono).
- File → Open, choose the .mkv, then pick the PGS or VobSub track.
- Let the OCR run; check the lines it marks as unsure.
- Save as SubRip (.srt) and upload that file here.
You have image subtitles when the track listing shows one of these:
Stream #0:4(ger): Subtitle: hdmv_pgs_subtitle
Stream #0:5(ger): Subtitle: dvd_subtitlePlaying the result
Put the downloaded file next to the video with the video's name: Episode.mkv and Episode.de.intertitle.srt. Jellyfin, Plex, VLC and mpv then offer it as a subtitle track. In VLC you can also drag the file onto the playing video.
Shows/Herz über Kopf/Season 01/
Herz über Kopf S01E03.mkv
Herz über Kopf S01E03.de.intertitle.srtOut of sync?
If the subtitles run early or late, set “Shift all timings” under Advanced, or press G/H in VLC while playing.