Get Subtitles

VLC sometimes doesn't open subtitles...?

When I try to open a video that needs subtitles with VLC Media Player, I open up VLC, File > Open File, select the video and the .sub or .srt file that goes with it. For some videos this works, but for others it just returns a message saying "Unable to open [then the file name]". However I CAN open the video on its own without the subtitles. Is there any way to fix this or get round this problem, or any more reliable player that can embed subs? Thanks :) It doesn't seem to be the subtitles that don't work, it's that VLC can't open the actual movie. Also, sometimes it initially works and then when I try and open it for a second time, it won't open. So it shouldn't really have anything to do with the files... :S

Public Comments

1. the subtitle files are likely corrupt or how else would it work sometimes open the srt file in a text editor to check but even this doesn't always work because people convert them from one format to another and ruin them (there are quite a lot of obscure subtitle file formats) I watched the Last Samurai and the movie was ruined because of this so I looked into it and you can do some repair work or converting yourself if you have the inclination. If the timing structure is mis-matched then it simply won't work even if all the words are there but the time is in 24hr format or some such nonsense I think the easier thing to do is search for the subtitle file on the web - I have seen a few comments on the pirate bay where people are asking for exact data/information so they can get the Dutch or Swedish subtitles etc.