Convert PGS Subtitles to TXT_QUICKTIME 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 TXT_QUICKTIME
QuickTime Text, often called QTText, is Apple's native format for creating text tracks in QuickTime videos. It's a simple text file that can include timestamps and some basic styling descriptors using text-based tags. It was commonly used for adding subtitles, chapter markers, and other timed text to videos within the Apple ecosystem.
PGS vs TXT_QUICKTIME
| Feature | PGS | TXT_QUICKTIME |
|---|---|---|
| Styling Support | true | false |
| Positioning Support | true | false |
| Animation Support | false | false |
| Learning Curve | expert | beginner |
| Quality Rating | 5 | 2 |
| Patent Status | proprietary | proprietary |
| Year Introduced | 2006 | 1999 |
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.
Does QuickTime Text work outside of Apple products?
Support for QTText is very limited outside of the Apple ecosystem. Players like VLC may have some support for it, but in general, it is not a portable format. For cross-platform compatibility, it's much better to use a universal format like SRT.
Can I style QuickTime Text subtitles?
Yes, QTText supports some basic text styling. You can add descriptors in the file header to define a font, size, and color, and use tags within the subtitle text to apply styles like bold or italic. However, the styling is much more limited than formats like VTT or ASS.
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