I fixed FFmpeg's subtitle conversion (the bug from 2014)
FFmpeg converts everything except subtitles across format boundaries. SRT to Blu-ray PGS? "Subtitle encoding currently only possible from text to text or bitmap to bitmap." Ticket #3819, filed 2014. I built this with Claude Code over a few weeks. Claude wrote most of the encoder, found an integer overflow in the decoder buffer tracking, and ran review from five angles. I read the Panasonic and Sony patents, made the architectural calls, and told it when it was wrong about the spec. We argued about whether DTS computation belongs in the muxer. (It does, and also in fftools. We did both.)…
I fixed FFmpeg's subtitle conversion (the bug from 2014) launched on March 17, 2026 with 38 votes, #748 of 23,380 launches that month and more than 95% of that year's launches.
In plain words
This is an FFmpeg extension that converts subtitles across different format boundaries, resolving a limitation that existed since 2014. It enables conversions like SRT to Blu-ray PGS format, which were previously impossible. The tool handles both text-to-bitmap and bitmap-to-bitmap conversions, with special handling for animations and fades that preserves visual quality during format changes. It is for video professionals and developers who need flexible subtitle format support in FFmpeg workflows.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
n9.0.1-pgs9.2 Convert subtitles between any format. SRT to Blu-ray PGS, PGS to SRT via OCR, styled subtitles with full animation — one command, no format barriers. That bug is FFmpeg #3819 , open since 2014. These builds fix it — ready-to-use binaries, no dependencies, drop-in replacement for your existing FFmpeg. Adds a PGS encoder ( #6843 ), 88 format conversions that weren't possible before, and direct RGBA-to-GIF encoding. Fades, colour changes, and movement in styled subtitles (ASS/SSA) are preserved when converting to Blu-ray PGS. The encoder detects animation automatically — no manual tagging, no frame-by-frame export. Overlapping subtitles with different timings…from connollydavid.github.io
In the maker’s words, at launch
FFmpeg converts everything except subtitles across format boundaries. SRT to Blu-ray PGS? "Subtitle encoding currently only possible from text to text or bitmap to bitmap." Ticket #3819, filed 2014. I built this with Claude Code over a few weeks. Claude wrote most of the encoder, found an integer overflow in the…
Does a similar job
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TranslateVideo 2.02023 · translate.video · ▲580Translate videos to 75+ languages & Unlimited Free Subtitles
SubtitleGeneratorAug 2026 · subtitlegenerator.app · ▲216Generate and edit subtitles with a free AI subtitle generator. Fix uncertain words, choose from 33 styles and export in your browser — no signup to start.
WTFfmpeg – Natural Language to FFmpeg Translator2025 · github.com · ▲88A minimal character terminal (console) REPL UI for controlling ffmpeg via natural language descriptions of input files and the desired outcome, powered by local or remote LLM. Shell-style history with arrow keys support, !subshell support, /slash REPL op commands, run-time, env, and cli configuratio
Video subtitle maker2017 · kapwing.com · ▲54Generate accurate subtitles automatically from video or audio. Upload MP4, MOV, MP3, WAV, or a YouTube link to create editable captions, transcripts, and SRT files online.
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