How to make a subtitle VF DCP in DCP-o-matic

Adding Subtitles to a Movie File

Sometimes, you might want to add subtitles to a movie. . Here’s how you can do it:

1. Start with the original DCP (OV DCP). This file has English speech but no subtitles.
2. Create a new DCP called a Version file (VF) DCP or Supplemental package. This new DCP links to the original movie and adds subtitles in one language.
3. For example, let’s say you want to add Norwegian subtitles:

• The original file (OV DCP) is labeled EN-XX, meaning it has English speech and no subtitles.
• The new file (VF DCP) with Norwegian subtitles is labeled EN-NO, meaning it has English speech and Norwegian subtitles.

This method allows you to add subtitles without changing the original DCP. For more info on naming a DCP, read this post about DCNC DCP names

To make a regular DCP in DCPoMatic, see this post on how to convert a video file to a DCP

How to make a subtitle VF (Version File)/supplemental package DCP in DCP-o-matic

Download and install DCP-o-Matic

Open the DCP

File – new

In Content – Add DCP

Choose the OV DCP that you want to add subtitles to.

Add a XML subtile file and choose font

Add Files – Choose an XML file.
Use a XML file like the one in this post on how to convert srt to xml

Choose
Use as open subtitles
and click on Fonts…

Click on edit and choose the font.
DCP-o-matic will automatically choose a font if none is chosen.

Rename the Font to the UUID from the XML file.

Use a font that is less than 640 KB.

Choose Language

If the subtitles are in another language than English, you can click Edit and choose the language.

Make the DCP a supplemental package/Version File

Click on Video and Audio and tick
“Use this DCP´s video as OV and make VF”

To watch DCP with newly added subtitles, you need to follow these steps:

1. First, load the origina lDCP (OV DCP) into your playback system.
2. Then, load the subtitle DCP (VF DCP) into the same system.
3. The subtitle DCP (VF DCP) doesn’t contain its own video or audio. Instead, it connects to the video and audio from the original DCP (OV DCP).
4. Your playback system will combine these files, showing the original movie with the new subtitles.

Remember: You always need both files – the original movie and the subtitle file – to watch the movie with subtitles.

Check the subtitles in the preview window

Change the Name of the DCP

Go to DCP

Name:
Change the name of the OV DCP to VF
EN-EN instead of EN-XX
INT-TD instead of INT-TL

Make the VF DCP

Jobs – Make DCP

Check the DCP in DCP-o-Matic Player

Open the VF in DCP-o-Matic Player

Open the OV DCP

Check if the subtitles are shown.