Media loading errors when using DVDSUB subtitles

[ciearen 0]

Hi there, first time poster and relatively new media server-hoster trying out Emby for a few weeks. Love the UX and just recently upgraded to Premiere. Currently running Emby and Jellyfin simultaneously in docker containers while I transition.

 

Having an issue with playing media when using DVDSUB/PGS (image-based?) subtitles. I am able to play videos with SRT subtitles or no subtitles just fine, but whenever I load a media file with DVDSUB/PGS subtitles it seems to hang and my logs get filled with errors. I think that my issue may be related to the one described in this thread .

 

For further context I have tested with both the web and chromecast clients and the error persists in each. Additionally, when I play the media with the DVDSUBs in Jellyfin it loads just fine.

 

 

ffmpeg-transcode.txt

[Abobader 3464]

Hello ciearen,

** This is an auto reply **

Please wait for someone from staff support or our members to reply to you.

It's recommended to provide more info, as it explain in this thread:

Thank you.

Emby Team

[Luke 42077]

Hi, can you please attach the main emby server log as well? Thanks.

[ciearen 0]

Sure thing! I can post the most recent log but this is the one from my test from yesterday. I'm also happy to replicate the issue on the Web or Chromecast client if that will help provide additional data in the logs.

embyserver.txt

[Luke 42077]

As a test, if you turn off hardware transcoding in server transcoding settings, does that have an impact?

[ciearen 0]

1 hour ago, Luke said:

As a test, if you turn off hardware transcoding in server transcoding settings, does that have an impact?

It does! Definitely allows me to play the video file now, but not super ideal since it is only using software transcoding and seems to be a bit slower than using QuickSync. Might there be a  way for me to continue using hardware transcoding while still having DVDSUB/PGS subtitles?

 

I will include the new ffmpeg log for the successful playing if that helps.

ffmpeg-transcode-2.txt

[Luke 42077]

You could always try the 4.8 beta server and see how that compares.

[embyzone 5]

Exactly same problem.

Playing John Wick with Direct play I get DVDSUB displayed just fine
Playing  any kind of transcode with HW (Only way, CPU is not built for this kind of files) I get no subtitles.
I tried the different option in the Emby Diagnostic tool for subtitles (I got this from the forum thanks this is great why not have this in Emby as a standard plugin?)
But no difference. (Log files below).

This does not seem to be a new problem, should I set burn in as standard? would that fix it?

 

embyserver.txt ffmpeg-transcode-67d6a333-7000-4fb4-a152-75b6495d3218_1.txt

[Luke 42077]

On 9/12/2025 at 1:01 PM, embyzone said:

Exactly same problem.

Playing John Wick with Direct play I get DVDSUB displayed just fine
Playing  any kind of transcode with HW (Only way, CPU is not built for this kind of files) I get no subtitles.
I tried the different option in the Emby Diagnostic tool for subtitles (I got this from the forum thanks this is great why not have this in Emby as a standard plugin?)
But no difference. (Log files below).

This does not seem to be a new problem, should I set burn in as standard? would that fix it?

 

embyserver.txt 861.95 kB · 0 downloads ffmpeg-transcode-67d6a333-7000-4fb4-a152-75b6495d3218_1.txt 64.99 kB · 0 downloads

@embyzoneare you sure you had the dvdsub track selected in the video player? Normally that would be reflected in the ffmpeg log. If you're sure about that, then are you sure that's the right ffmpeg log?

[embyzone 5]

Thanks for your time!
Yes I did select the subtitles many times.
I did a burn always and that is working but heavy on the transcoding

I just saw a Emby/Plex/Jellyfin youtube video and he said that he would be tempted to select Emby alone on getting the VirtualTV plugin?
I never saw that before and I just installed it and now back to not getting any subs on any channel LOL
So I am experimenting with the setting...

Funny I have had Emby for years and this is my first problem with Subtitles so either I have changed something or an update have?
I did setup transcoding again? but it works only difference is I have the iGPU and the Arc380 card both working in Emby

[Luke 42077]

Hi, have you updated to Emby Server 4.9? Has that helped?