Subtitles... - Blu-ray Forum

Mike_In_HD · 03-08-2011, 02:17 AM

I watch all movies with subtitles on... However, I've noticed on several BDs that subtitles are not very accurate... Most recently, 127 Hours & The Cable Guy...

For instance: the line stated was "I need to talk to you tonight"... but written was "We need to talk". Sometimes this also happens on key & important words.

Anyone know why they do that? Also, what ultimately is the difference between Eng, & Eng SDH?

Tom Hiddleston · 03-08-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_In_HD

I watch all movies with subtitles on... However, I've noticed on several BDs that subtitles are not very accurate... Most recently, 127 Hours & The Cable Guy...

For instance: the line stated was "I need to talk to you tonight"... but written was "We need to talk". Sometimes this also happens on key & important words.

Anyone know why they do that? Also, what ultimately is the difference between Eng, & Eng SDH?

Probably to cut down the actual length of the line. And I believe Eng SDH includes the sound effects, like explosion. I watch movies with subtitles too. Whenever I watch a movie with my parents they always say, turn up the volume, and I do not wish to become deaf so I put on subtitles instead. I'm just in the habit of watching it with subtitles now I think.

Beta Man · 03-08-2011, 02:25 AM

I believe (and this could be more theory than reality) that subtitles are often times very "transfer-dependent"

I say this in the sense that often times when seeing a studio gain rights to a film that has been previously released on DVD or Blu-ray, they sometimes make note of the fact that they are in fact addressing subtitle-accuracy issues......

I honestly think inaccurate subtitles show a lack of effort on the part of the studio releasing the film

Mike_In_HD · 03-08-2011, 02:27 AM

From wiki:
"SDH" is an American term the DVD industry introduced. It is an acronym for "Subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing", and refers to regular subtitles in the original language where important non-dialog audio has been added, as well as speaker identification, useful when the viewer cannot otherwise visually tell who is saying what...

So yes, like explosion. Good call.

I'm still confused though why they would delete words from lines. I wonder if the key subtitles from a script... Maybe they changed the line when filming.

Dotpattern · 03-08-2011, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_In_HD

I watch all movies with subtitles on... However, I've noticed on several BDs that subtitles are not very accurate... Most recently, 127 Hours & The Cable Guy...

For instance: the line stated was "I need to talk to you tonight"... but written was "We need to talk". Sometimes this also happens on key & important words.

Anyone know why they do that? Also, what ultimately is the difference between Eng, & Eng SDH?

It has to do with the time it takes to read a line. Less words, less time, same information. It has to be considered that not everyone reads as fast as others.

Eng SDH is for the hearing impaired and includes text descriptions of sound effects (eg, "music plays," "breathing", etc).

Mike_In_HD · 03-08-2011, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

... I honestly think inaccurate subtitles show a lack of effort on the part of the studio releasing the film

Interesting overall theory. & I couldn't agree more with your last line. Kinda silly thing to nit-pick, but not really. Kinda seems like an important detail.

I can see the "Subtitle Accuracy Board" meeting now... "I know he said 'I'm going to kill you for destroying my parents & sleeping with my wife'... But just put 'Die, You!'"

Rob J in WNY · 03-08-2011, 02:41 AM

I like to watch movies with subtitles running on occasion as well. More often with first-time, blind-buy viewings. I have seen the inconsistencies as well. Most often, they are very subtle changes.

HD Goofnut · 03-08-2011, 03:10 AM

I always use subtitles when I watch a movie for the first time because I don't want to miss anything for my review.

ImportFanatic · 03-08-2011, 03:42 AM

The one thing that especially pisses me off about subtitles is ones with grammatical or syntax errors. Especially for foreign films/films not in English. I wish reviewers here would go into more explicit detail about the quality of subs on these releases. Some imports reviews don't even have any comments on the subs at all. Only for them to contain obvious errors!

Banjo · 03-08-2011, 05:23 AM

One common issue with SDH is that a good number of them still are excluding the lyrics, and no... it has nothing to do with copyright infringement. They do include the lyrics in the closed captioning most of the times, but it seems like they don't include it in a lot of SDH tracks.

hedliniv · 12-27-2011, 05:03 PM

Is there a thread that lists blu-rays that do not have subtitles? It would be a list I would visit to make sure that I avoid titles that are missing them....

blu-ray_girl_fan · 12-27-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedliniv

Is there a thread that lists blu-rays that do not have subtitles? It would be a list I would visit to make sure that I avoid titles that are missing them....

I think everything released by major studios include English subtitles these days, but Criterion omits English subtitles sometimes for odd reasons. For example, the movie Yi Yi has most of its dialogue in Chinese. However, there are a few scenes where the characters speak English. Criterion didn't subtitle these parts, which is annoying because I can barely understand what the actors are saying (they have very heavy accents).

Emm · 02-08-2012, 02:45 AM

Hi, I'm new here and I can't create a new thread so I hope it's okay to ask a question that's slightly off topic here, but it's about subtitles.

I recently bought the "Glorious 39" blu-ray disc, and I was so disappointed to find out that the color of subtitles was yellow... I prefer white.

So, I'm wondering if anyone knows each studio's tendency for those kind of things... while I'm sure 90% of subtitles are white, I'd rather avoid the ones with yellow subtitles when we have options. (Like when we have US and UK releases and they are from different studios, and we can choose one from the other with no region problem.) Or is there any way or place where we can know about these things beforehand?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

("Glorious 39" is a US release and is from Ent. One Music.)

manicsounds · 02-08-2012, 01:14 PM

http://www.dvdbeaver.com often has screencaptures of subtitles when they can.

Trying to think...
Blue Underground and Media Blasters put yellow for subtitles.

Emm · 02-08-2012, 01:57 PM

Ohhhh, thank you so much, manicsounds! That's a great help. I really, really appreciate it. Thanks again!

MOONPHASE · 02-08-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manicsounds

http://www.dvdbeaver.com often has screencaptures of subtitles when they can.

Trying to think...
Blue Underground and Media Blasters put yellow for subtitles.

Also Sentai Filmworks. They've been doing yellow subtitles since they were ADV Films.

Personally I enjoy the yellow subtitles since they're easier to read. Though it usually depends on the yellow on how well it's used since some yellow subtitles look a little ugly, but some look really nice.

White subtitles can be harder to read especially like when Funimation makes the white subtitle text really small and the white color blending in to the background of the picture a little too well like almost like a camoflague.

Emm · 02-08-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

Personally I enjoy the yellow subtitles since they're easier to read. Though it usually depends on the yellow on how well it's used since some yellow subtitles look a little ugly, but some look really nice.

Thanks for the info, MOONPHASE! I know what you mean, but I guess I'm too used to white subtitles. But I remember someone saying yellow ones are better when it comes to anime, so I think it depends.

jordy475 · 02-08-2012, 02:54 PM

I wish they would include Regular and SDH on all releases. I am deaf in one ear and have some issues with my good ear. I can completely tell who is talking, music, explosions etc so I personally do not need and find the SDH annoying since I just want to know what the dialouge is.

But If they can only do one I am glad if it's SDH so everyone can get the most out of the film!

Member-38928 · 02-08-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_In_HD

I watch all movies with subtitles on... However, I've noticed on several BDs that subtitles are not very accurate... Most recently, 127 Hours & The Cable Guy...

For instance: the line stated was "I need to talk to you tonight"... but written was "We need to talk". Sometimes this also happens on key & important words.

Anyone know why they do that? Also, what ultimately is the difference between Eng, & Eng SDH?

Its nice to know that there are others who use subtitles, I always use them too. I cannot answer you question though, I don't mind a missing or added word here and there but I hate it when the subtitles are way off like in you example.

Truewitt · 02-08-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Hiddleston

Probably to cut down the actual length of the line. And I believe Eng SDH includes the sound effects, like explosion. I watch movies with subtitles too. Whenever I watch a movie with my parents they always say, turn up the volume, and I do not wish to become deaf so I put on subtitles instead. I'm just in the habit of watching it with subtitles now I think.

This is exactly the reason. If the same information can be delivered with less words, they will condense and reword.

03-08-2011, 02:17 AM	#1
Mike_In_HD Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Ohio Blu-ray collection:968	Subtitles... I watch all movies with subtitles on... However, I've noticed on several BDs that subtitles are not very accurate... Most recently, 127 Hours & The Cable Guy... For instance: the line stated was "I need to talk to you tonight"... but written was "We need to talk". Sometimes this also happens on key & important words. Anyone know why they do that? Also, what ultimately is the difference between Eng, & Eng SDH?

03-08-2011, 03:10 AM	#8
HD Goofnut Blu-ray King Top contributor Member since:May 2010 Location:Far, Far Away Home Theater Gallery:114 4K collection:743 Blu-ray collection:2373 DVD collection:128 MA collection:751 Digital collection:1091 Prime collection:598 Blu-ray reviews:133 Trading Score:39	I always use subtitles when I watch a movie for the first time because I don't want to miss anything for my review. Last edited by HD Goofnut; 02-08-2012 at 03:00 PM.

02-08-2012, 01:14 PM	#14
manicsounds Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Oct 2009 Location:Tokyo 4K collection:227 Blu-ray collection:4992 Blu-ray reviews: 99	http://www.dvdbeaver.com often has screencaptures of subtitles when they can. Trying to think... Blue Underground and Media Blasters put yellow for subtitles. Last edited by manicsounds; 02-08-2012 at 01:25 PM.

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03-08-2011, 02:25 AM	#3
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I believe (and this could be more theory than reality) that subtitles are often times very "transfer-dependent" I say this in the sense that often times when seeing a studio gain rights to a film that has been previously released on DVD or Blu-ray, they sometimes make note of the fact that they are in fact addressing subtitle-accuracy issues...... I honestly think inaccurate subtitles show a lack of effort on the part of the studio releasing the film

03-08-2011, 02:27 AM	#4
Mike_In_HD Active Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Ohio Blu-ray collection:968	From wiki: "SDH" is an American term the DVD industry introduced. It is an acronym for "Subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing", and refers to regular subtitles in the original language where important non-dialog audio has been added, as well as speaker identification, useful when the viewer cannot otherwise visually tell who is saying what... So yes, like explosion. Good call. I'm still confused though why they would delete words from lines. I wonder if the key subtitles from a script... Maybe they changed the line when filming.

03-08-2011, 02:41 AM	#7
Rob J in WNY Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2008 Location:'Western' N.Y. State (MEMBER OF THE "ECPP")™ Home Theater Gallery:24 4K collection:30 Blu-ray collection:486 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 15	I like to watch movies with subtitles running on occasion as well. More often with first-time, blind-buy viewings. I have seen the inconsistencies as well. Most often, they are very subtle changes.

03-08-2011, 03:42 AM	#9
ImportFanatic Expert Member Member since:Jul 2010 Location:United States Blu-ray collection:489 DVD collection:3	The one thing that especially pisses me off about subtitles is ones with grammatical or syntax errors. Especially for foreign films/films not in English. I wish reviewers here would go into more explicit detail about the quality of subs on these releases. Some imports reviews don't even have any comments on the subs at all. Only for them to contain obvious errors!

03-08-2011, 05:23 AM	#10
Banjo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Blu-ray collection:143	One common issue with SDH is that a good number of them still are excluding the lyrics, and no... it has nothing to do with copyright infringement. They do include the lyrics in the closed captioning most of the times, but it seems like they don't include it in a lot of SDH tracks.

12-27-2011, 05:03 PM	#11
hedliniv Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Odessa, FL 4K collection:1 Blu-ray collection:373 DVD collection:9 Digital collection:499 Blu-ray reviews:13 Trading Score:262	Is there a thread that lists blu-rays that do not have subtitles? It would be a list I would visit to make sure that I avoid titles that are missing them....

02-08-2012, 02:45 AM	#13
Emm Junior Member Member since:Feb 2012	Hi, I'm new here and I can't create a new thread so I hope it's okay to ask a question that's slightly off topic here, but it's about subtitles. I recently bought the "Glorious 39" blu-ray disc, and I was so disappointed to find out that the color of subtitles was yellow... I prefer white. So, I'm wondering if anyone knows each studio's tendency for those kind of things... while I'm sure 90% of subtitles are white, I'd rather avoid the ones with yellow subtitles when we have options. (Like when we have US and UK releases and they are from different studios, and we can choose one from the other with no region problem.) Or is there any way or place where we can know about these things beforehand? Any help would be greatly appreciated. ("Glorious 39" is a US release and is from Ent. One Music.)

02-08-2012, 01:57 PM	#15
Emm Junior Member Member since:Feb 2012	Ohhhh, thank you so much, manicsounds! That's a great help. I really, really appreciate it. Thanks again!

02-08-2012, 02:54 PM	#18
jordy475 Senior Member Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Tennessee Blu-ray collection:282 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:30	I wish they would include Regular and SDH on all releases. I am deaf in one ear and have some issues with my good ear. I can completely tell who is talking, music, explosions etc so I personally do not need and find the SDH annoying since I just want to know what the dialouge is. But If they can only do one I am glad if it's SDH so everyone can get the most out of the film!

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