Software to create burnt-in subtitles

[lucid]

Hello good folks, I'm after some guidance on suitable software to create burnt-in subtitles.

I have been asked to have a look at some DVDs that were made for a small museum. They own the rights to the works so there's no issues with copyright. The films have no subtitles, but they'd like them adding so that they're always visible without the staff having to do anything more than put a disc in a player and press play. This is a really really low tech requirement.

I can see I'm going to have to rip the DVDs, then edit section by section to add the on-screen graphics before finally burning off new copies. That bit is easy enough. The videos are only 3-4 minutes in length and the scripts are quite simple voice-overs.

I have bits of free video editing software, but although they can do titles, what they can't do is the black band with white text overlay.

Does anyone know of a suitable package, either free or paid for, that doesn't matter, so long as it makes something that looks like ordinary TV subtitles?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lucid]

Thanks @Rroff

Is anyone here familiar enough with VirtualDub to say for sure if it can definitely do the burnt in subtitle effect?

 

[lucid]

If you can figure out the subtitle file format, I reckon HandBrake could take your DVD files ( rip them to ISO first) and burn in the subtitles to an MKV, MP4 or whatever suitable for converting back to a DVD after.

Thanks, but there isn't a subtitle file format. The subtitles don't yet exist. This isn't a Hollywood movie or TV Box set. Think of it more like your home-made wedding or Christening video that you're sending to a deaf relative to watch on VHS. It's that level of low tech.

Also, I can combine .srt subtitle files with rips, (not that I am going to in this case, but technically I am able to do that), however, it misses the mark because whoever is playing the film would then need to select the subtitle option on the player. This is something we don't want.

What we are after is the simplest lowest technical skill option on playback. Some of the volunteers have the absolute minimum of technical ability. Putting a disc in and pressing play is about their limit.

 

[lucid]

I meant if you know what the format is for subtitles, you can create your own (using a text editor) but it could be easier than that - Steampunk above has suggested a suitable tool to create a subtitle file, and I believe HandBrake can burn the subtitles into the video it creates (forced I seem to remember) so they show as part of the video.

Thats clearer now. Thanks for the added explanation.

Thanks all who have responded so far. Some things to try now.