Convert PGS Subtitles to TTML Format
or drag and drop
About PGS
PGS (Presentation Graphic Stream) is an image-based subtitle format used exclusively for Blu-ray discs. Unlike text-based formats like SRT, PGS subtitles are stored as a sequence of bitmap images that are overlaid on the video. This means they can have any font, style, or color imaginable, but it also means they are not text-searchable and cannot be easily edited.
About TTML
TTML (Timed Text Markup Language) is an XML-based standard for delivering timed text, meaning subtitles and captions, for web video and television broadcast. It's a W3C recommendation and is designed to be a professional, feature-rich format for the broadcast and streaming industry. It supports extensive styling, timing, and layout options and is the basis for many other professional formats like DFXP.
PGS vs TTML
| Feature | PGS | TTML |
|---|---|---|
| Styling Support | true | true |
| Positioning Support | true | true |
| Animation Support | false | true |
| Learning Curve | expert | expert |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 5 |
| Patent Status | proprietary | open standard |
| Year Introduced | 2006 | 2010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a PGS subtitle file?
No, you cannot edit the text in a PGS file directly because it's a series of images, not text. To 'edit' a PGS file, you would need to use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to convert the images back into a text-based format like SRT, edit the text, and then optionally convert it back, though this is a complex and often error-prone process.
Why do Blu-rays use image-based subtitles?
Image-based subtitles guarantee that the text will be displayed exactly as the designer intended, with specific fonts and styles, on any certified Blu-ray player. This avoids issues with players not having the correct fonts installed or not supporting certain text rendering features.
Is TTML used by major streaming services?
Yes, TTML and its profiles (like DFXP for Netflix) are the backbone of subtitle delivery for many major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as in professional broadcasting. Its robustness and rich feature set make it ideal for these high-stakes environments.
Is TTML easy to create by hand?
No, TTML is not designed to be human-readable or easily editable by hand. Its XML structure is verbose and complex. It is typically generated and processed by professional authoring software and is not suitable for casual subtitling.
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