[This article was first published in the January, 2008, issue of
Larry's Final Cut Pro Newsletter. Click here to subscribe.]

Dave Victorson writes:

Here's a question for a pro: I use a third party vendor to create the subtitles. They import just fine when the video track contains a Quicktime Video (imported into DVD SP). I get an error message when the video track contains a .m2v video (imported into DVD SP).

Here is the exact error message.

Import Subtitle File

No corresponding subtitles found. The video asset timecode may not correspond with the timecode specified for the subtitles in the import file or the file is invalid.

Any ideas?

Larry replies: Yup. The problem is that importing subtitles or markers into DVD Studio Pro requires a timecode reference. When you export out of Final Cut, your timecode starts at hour 1. When you compress an MPEG-2 file, by default, the timecode starts at hour 0. In other words, the timecodes don't match, which breaks the import process.

To fix this, either change the timecode references in the subtitle text file, or change the starting timecode in Compressor before you compress the file.

Larry Jordan is a post-production consultant and an Apple-Certified Trainer in Digital Media with over 25 years experience as producer, director and editor with network, local and corporate credits. Based in Los Angeles, he's a member of both the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America.

The information in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication. However, the author assumes no liability in case things go wrong. Please use your best judgment in applying these suggestions.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. This newsletter has not been reviewed or sanctioned by Apple or any other third party. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned here for editorial purposes only.

Links to my website home page or this article are welcome and don't require prior permission.