Problem with pixel subtitles (VLC 2.0.2 for XP)

[ambar]

Hi there!

My VLC Media Player has recently auto-updated to version 2.0.2 Twoflower (I use Windows XP SP2). Everything was working just fine, until today. Subtitles are displaying like an image, they look embedded in the movie picture, and if the movie does not have a very high quality, when I turn to fullscreen they look really bad. Pixelated. This didn't happen in the previous version and I find it hard to believe that in this newer one you have done this on purpose.

Is there any fix for my problem? I know it may sound stupid, but it's quite annoying to read the subtitles like this.

Any help would be welcome

Thanks in advance!

[nkoriyama]

What type of subtitles?
What version did you use before 2.0.2?
What video output? (Preferences -> video -> output)
Can you share the screenshots?

[Pluto is a Planet]

Try using Closed Captions instead, does that look better?

[ambar]

First of all, thanks a lot to both of you for trying to help me.

What type of subtitles?
What version did you use before 2.0.2?
What video output? (Preferences -> video -> output)
Can you share the screenshots?

The extension of the subtitles file is .SRT.
I'm not quite sure about the version I was using before this one, but I would say that it was the 2.0.1
The video output is set to DEFAULT.
I would share some screenshots, but now I have another problem: the video is not displayed at all. Neither are the subtitles, of course. I only hear the audio. Any clues about this?

Try using Closed Captions instead, does that look better?

I'd love to do that, but... How can I set that? Could you please point me the right menu option?

Thanks a million once again!

[nkoriyama]

the video is not displayed at all.

Try another video output module:
http://wiki.videolan.org/WindowsFAQ-2.0 ... _output.3F

You can also try to enable or disable some video options such as Overlay and/or Hardware YUV -> RGB conversions.

[ambar]

Thanks nkoriyama! I can see the picture and hear the audio now, like I did in the first place. But I still have no clue about the subtitles problem... In movies with lower image quality, when I turn then into fullscreen, the subtitles look embedded and pixelated. And I'm certain that this didn't happen in my previous version of VLC.

I tried taking a couple of screenshots with the VLC, but it took the shots of the movie in its real size, and not in the fullscreen size, as I was watching it.
Here they are:



I have no idea what else to do to make the subtitles display like text, separated from the movie. I tried changing some subtitle settings, but nothing worked.
Do you know how to solve my problem?

Thanks again

[nkoriyama]

I think you should use "PrintScreen" key to take the screenshots.
When you press "PrintScreen", the fullscreen image is copied to the clipboard. Then launch some paint software (e.g. mspaint) and paste it.

And please try the same thing with VLC 2.0.1, so that we can compare the behavior properly.
You can get the old version (2.0.1) from: http://download.videolan.org/pub/videol ... 0.1/win32/
If you don't want to install, you can use zip/7z package. Unzip it to some folder, and launch vlc.exe in the folder.

[ambar]

I tried thw printscreen key, but it gets all black. Whenever I play a video, the printscreen key only takes a black rectangle in the place of the video, no matter if it is playing in window mode or fullscreen mode. The image is always black.

However, I'll try to download and use the older version of VLC to check how that one displays the subtitles. I'll let you know how that goes.

Thanks for the patience and for your time, nkoriyama!

[nkoriyama]

Ah, I forgot you use Windows XP. On XP, you cannot take the screenshot with "PrintScreen" key properly if you enable "Accelerated video output (Overlay)" in Preferences -> Video.
Some third-party applications can capture overlay images, but I think disabling "Accelerated video output (Overlay)" is easier.

[ambar]

OK, here's the strangest thing: although the the VLC 2.0.1 immediately took the preferences I had set for the VLC 2.0.2, it showed the subtitles perfectly separated from the movie, like text. Like I like it! I took a screenshot from it (because the printscreen key took the picture the right way this time):


Now something even more strange: when I tried to take a screenshot using the VLC 2.0.2 with the movie in fullscreen mode, it just took a black rectangle, as it did before. And the subtitles in this version still look pixelated and embedded into the movie image.

I'd love to find a way through this, but the easiest way I find is to keep using the VLC 2.0.1 until there's a new version of the media player that fixes this. I have no need of using the latest version of VLC, the 2.0.1 perfectly fits my needs. If you know what to do, your solution will be most welcome. Otherwise, I can keep using the 2.0.1 very happy.

Thanks a million for pointing at me that URL to download the VLC 2.0.1 again. And for your time and patience, too!

[ambar]

Here goes the screenshot taken with the VLC 2.0.2 playing the same movie in fullscreen (thanks for the tip of disabling "Accelerated video output"!):


If you know what could be causing this in the latest version, I'll be happy to modify the setting and enjoy the VLC 2.0.2. If you don't know what to do, don't worry: I'll still be happy using the VLC 2.0.1.

Thankssssss!

[nkoriyama]

Now I understand your issue with the pictures. Thank you for cooperation!

Do you watch the movie with same preferences, especially video output?
On VLC 2.0.1, "Direct3D" is used by default , but on VLC 2.0.2, "DirectDraw" is used by default for old driver/systems.
If you change video output to "DirectDraw" on VLC 2.0.1, how is the quality of subtitles image?
If you change video output to "Direct3D" or "OpenGL" on VLC 2.0.2, how is the quality of subtitles image?

For your information: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=99868&p=337204&hil ... aw#p337204

DirectDraw does not draw fine subtitles.

[ambar]

Yes yes yes! It was precisely that: I only had to change the Video Output setting to "Direct3D" instead of "Default". Now the subtitles show just the way I wanted.
Thanks a million! It was my pleasure to cooperate, you've been great.

I'll get to watch my movie, then. Thanks again, you've really made my Sunday

See you!