Subtitles
Subtitle support and customization
CineWindows supports multiple subtitle formats with extensive customization options. Subtitles can be loaded from external files, extracted from embedded tracks, or downloaded directly from OpenSubtitles.
SRT ASS SSA WebVTT OpenSubtitlesSupported Formats
| Format | Extension | Features |
|---|---|---|
| SubRip | .srt |
Time-coded text, basic formatting |
| Advanced SubStation Alpha | .ass |
Rich styling, positioning, animations, karaoke |
| SubStation Alpha | .ssa |
Predecessor to ASS, same feature set |
| WebVTT | .vtt |
Web standard, cue settings, vertical text |
| Embedded PGS | — | Blu-ray bitmap subtitles (inside MKV/MP4) |
| Embedded VobSub | — | DVD bitmap subtitles (inside MKV) |
| MOV text | — | QuickTime text tracks |
Loading Subtitles
Auto-Loading
CineWindows automatically searches for external subtitle files when a media file is opened. The search looks for files in the same directory as the media with matching base names:
Movie.mp4→Movie.srt,Movie.ass,Movie.ssa,Movie.vttEpisode_S01E01.mkv→Episode_S01E01.en.srt,Episode_S01E01.eng.ass
Language tags in the filename (.en., .eng., .fr., .de., etc.) are parsed and used to label the subtitle track in the selection menu. The language tag must appear before the format extension — for example, Movie.eng.srt is recognized, but Movie.srt.eng is not.
Manual Loading
Open the subtitle menu
Click the subtitle icon (CC) on the Control Bar, or press U to open the subtitle track selection menu.
Select Load External
Choose Load External Subtitle from the bottom of the menu. A file dialog opens filtered to supported subtitle formats.
Browse and select
Navigate to the subtitle file, select it, and click Open. The subtitle renders immediately on the video.
Multiple external subtitles can be loaded simultaneously. Each appears as a separate track in the subtitle menu and can be toggled independently.
Embedded Tracks
MKV and MP4 files often contain embedded subtitle streams. CineWindows lists all embedded subtitle tracks in the subtitle menu alongside external files. Embedded tracks are identified by language, track name, and format type (e.g., “English (PGS)”, “French (ASS)”).
To select an embedded track:
- Press U or click the subtitle icon
- Choose the desired track from the list
- The track is activated immediately and any previously selected subtitle is replaced
OpenSubtitles Download
CineWindows integrates with the OpenSubtitles.com API to download subtitles directly within the application.
Prerequisites
- An active internet connection
- The media file should have a filename matching its title for best search results
How to Download
Open the subtitle search
Press Ctrl + D or select Download Subtitles from the subtitle menu. The subtitle browser panel opens in the Media Hub sidebar.
Search for subtitles
CineWindows automatically sends the media filename to OpenSubtitles. You can also type a custom query. Select your preferred language from the dropdown.
Choose a result
Results are sorted by download count and rating. Each result shows the language, format (SRT or ASS), uploader, and rating. Click a result to view details.
Download and apply
Click the Download button. The subtitle file is saved to a subtitles folder next to the media file and loaded automatically.
Subtitle Customization
All customization options are available in Settings > Subtitles. Changes apply immediately and are previewed on the current video.
Font Settings
| Setting | Default | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Font Family | System default | All installed system fonts |
| Font Size | 24 pt | 12 – 72 pt |
| Font Color | White | Custom color picker with opacity |
| Bold | Off | On / Off |
| Italic | Off | On / Off |
Appearance
| Setting | Default | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Border Style | Outline | None, Outline, Box Background, Shadow |
| Border Width | 2 px | 0 – 8 px |
| Box Opacity | 50% | 0% – 100% (only when Border Style is Box Background) |
| Shadow Offset | 2 px | 0 – 8 px |
| Shadow Color | Black | Custom color picker |
Positioning
| Setting | Default | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Position | Bottom (90%) | 10% – 95% of screen height |
| Horizontal Alignment | Center | Left, Center, Right |
| Bottom Margin | 16 px | 0 – 100 px |
Timing
| Setting | Default | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Subtitle Delay | 0 s | −30 to +30 seconds (in 100ms increments) |
Secondary Subtitles
CineWindows supports displaying two subtitle tracks simultaneously — useful for language learners, accessibility needs, or comparing translations.
Enabling Secondary Subtitles
- Open Settings > Subtitles
- Toggle Secondary Subtitles to On
- Load your primary subtitle track (e.g., English)
- Load a secondary track from the subtitle menu — it appears under Secondary Subtitle
- Position the secondary subtitles at the Top in the settings to separate them visually
Use Cases
- Language learning: Native language at bottom, target language at top
- Accessibility: Simplified captions at bottom, full description at top
- Comparison: Two different translations side by side
Customization Presets
| Preset | Font | Size | Color | Border | Shadow | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean White on Black | Arial | 24 | White | Outline, 2px | — | Bottom |
| Minimal | Segoe UI | 20 | White | Outline, 1px | — | Bottom |
| High Contrast | Arial | 28 | Yellow | Box, 50% | — | Bottom |
| Soft Shadow | System | 26 | White | — | 3px | Bottom |
| Top Aligned | Arial | 22 | White | Outline, 2px | — | Top, 85% |
| Language Learning | Segoe UI | 22 | White / Yellow | Outline | — | Bottom + Top |