== Subtitles compatibility ==

[kinglouisxx]

There's a lot of groups releasing videos for our favourite TV shows. It's thus not always that easy to know which subtitles will work with what.

Let's start with the obvious.

• KILLERS works with 720p KILLERS
• FLEET works with 720p FLEET

Groups such as FUM, AFG, RMTeam, MeGusta only re-encode the former HD release of a given episode.

So let's say AVS released a 720p video for Once Upon a Time, then if AFG releases an HDTV version it will be compatible with it.

The other 3 can be a bit more tricky, but not that much if you pay attention.

FUM, RMTeam & MeGusta can either base their re-encodes on HDTV, WEB-DL or WEBRip (i.e. if it's based on WEB-DL, then it won't be compatible with AVS. And vice-versa). Always check for HDTV, WEB-DL and WEBRip in the file name to sort things out regarding those 3.

• LOL works with DIMENSION (99% of the time)
• 720p DIMENSION works with 1080p DIMENSION (99,9% of the time)
• SVA (standard definition) works with 720p AVS
• WEB-DL works with AMZN-WEBRip (let's say 85-90% of the time) This one's kind of new, so it might need to be revised
• WEB-DL works with all WEB-DLs (with the same runtime)

There is one simple way to check if releases will be compatible: check the length of the video.

Of course you don't have to grab the video for that. Most sites either provide NFOs or informations on the video's page.

If durations match, then it's very likely they'll be compatible. But then again, in some rare cases it happens they're not. Mostly because the difference is so small it's in milliseconds. And NFOs only show "hours", "minutes", "seconds".

• BRISK sometimes works with FLEET
• AVS/SVA sometimes work with FLEET

But those are definitely not something you should rely on. Way too rare and unpredictable. But that happens.

Then again, check the length of videos to ensure compatibility.

Note: REPACKs could either work or not work with the former nuked release (i.e. faulty release). It depends on what it was nuked for.

 

REPACK = A release has been nuked and the same Scene group releases a fixed version.

PROPER = A release has been nuked and another—rival—Scene group releases a fixed version.

 

WEB versions

Lexicon:

AMZN.WEB-DL/RIP = Is from Amazon

HULU.WEB-DL/RIP = Is from Hulu

STZ.WEBRip = Is from Starz

NF.WEB-DL/RIP = Is from Netflix

HBO.WEBRip = Is from HBO

DSNY.WEB-DL/RIP = Is from Disney (Channel, XD, etc...)

AS.WEBRip = Is from Adult Swim

USAN.WEBRip = Is from USA Network

BRAV.WEBRip = Is from Bravo

ETV.WEBRip = Is from E!

NICK.WEBRip = Is from Nickelodeon

EPIX.WEBRip = Is from Epix

MTV.WEBRip = Is from MTV

SPIK.WEBRip = Is from Spike

SYFY.WEBRip = Is from SyFy

DISC.WEBRip = Is from Discovery Channel

etcetera... etcetera...

 

First of all, what is a WEBRip and what's the difference with a WEB-DL?

It used to be true:

• A WEBRip comes most of the time from the catch up service of the network who airs the show (often with the network's logo embedded in the video).

But there also are streaming services like Amazon, Hulu (or Netflix) who offer several shows from several different networks, not only theirs. No logos here generally.

• A WEB-DL comes from iTunes. Same as above, they offer lots of shows from lots of different networks. No logos either.

 

I see you coming, "Cool, but what's the damn difference NOW?!"

          Well, technically speaking a WEB-DL is a video file downloaded directly from a website , untouched. Then often is just remuxed from .mp4 into an .mkv file.​

​          That's what populate most of your video library these days if you're a WEB addic7. While a WEBRip is a stream needing to be re-encoded to obtain a smaller (and decent) file size.

          Unfortunately, confusion is on your doortsep. Indeed, they happen to be quite often mislabelled.

          You see, in 2017, AMZN.HULU.NF.WEBRips are no more, they are actually WEB-DLs.

          And still, a bunch of download sites still provide releases tagged as AMZN.WEBRip. Even though the video file itself is tagged WEB-DL.

 

"So, what's happened to good old WEB-DL from iTunes?"

          Well, it's labelled as IT.WEB-DL nowadays and is less represented on major sites.

          You've also probably noticed these WEB-TBS, WEB-STRiFE, etc... They're WEB-DLs as well, but coming from the Scene.

 

To sum up, is a WEB-DL anything coming directly from a website, untouched.

So, maybe you've connected the dots: "WEB-DL" doesn't mean "no logos" anymore.

But maybe you're old school, like me, and in your heart "WEB-DL" will always mean iTunes and "WEBRip" a rip from any other site.

Still, you gotta be prepared to navigate these dark waters swarming with countless video versions & multiple hazards.

 

 

Last update: Oct 22, 2017

 

[taytoy]

 Thanks @kinglouisxx!

[taytoy]

Well, great update, @kinglouisxx!

[Jesnic]

Very helpful kinglouisxx