How To Download Subtitles Automatically In VLC Player For Free
Downloading Subtitles Automatically in VLC: A Step-by-Step Guide
For users of VLC Media Player, finding and downloading subtitles for foreign movies and TV series can be a tedious task. However, with the VLSub extension, this process becomes seamless and efficient. Here’s how you can download subtitles automatically in VLC.
Step 1: Download the VLSub Extension
To start, you need to download the VLSub extension, which enables VLC to search for and download subtitles from OpenSubtitles.org. Here’s how to do it:
- Download the VLSub File: Go to the VLC add-ons page and download the
vlsub.luafile. You can find it by clicking on the "Files" option and then right-clicking onvlsub.luato save it.- Alternatively, you can use a direct download link: copy and paste the URL
https://dl.opendesktop.org/api/files/downloadfile/id/1478360358/s/097000e95fcea0dbd31039c0d9a5728b/t/1520681679/u/223978/vlsub.luainto your browser.
- Alternatively, you can use a direct download link: copy and paste the URL
Step 2: Move the Downloaded File to the Extensions Folder
After downloading the vlsub.lua file, you need to move it to the appropriate extensions folder for your operating system:
- Windows: Move the file to
%ProgramFiles%\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\extensions\. - Linux: Move the file to
/usr/lib/vlc/lua/extensions/. - Mac OS X: Move the file to
/Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/share/lua/extensions/.
Step 3: Launch VLC and Access VLSub
Open VLC Media Player and load the video for which you want to download subtitles. Here’s how to access the VLSub feature:
- Open VLC: Load your favorite movie or TV episode by clicking "Media" > "Open file" or by pressing the shortcut key "Ctrl + O" (or "Cmd + O" on Mac), or by directly dragging the file to VLC.
- Access VLSub: Go to the "View" menu and select "VLSub" (or "Download Subtitles" in some versions).
Step 4: Search for Subtitles
In the VLSub window, you can search for subtitles using two methods:
- Search by Name: Enter the title of the movie or TV series, and optionally include season and episode numbers for TV shows. Click the "Search by name" button to fetch related subtitles from OpenSubtitles.org.
- Search by Hash: This method calculates the hash of the video file and searches for matching subtitles. However, if the video has been converted or modified, this method may not work well.
Step 5: Download and Apply the Subtitles
Once you find the matching subtitles, follow these steps:
- Select the Subtitles: Highlight the desired subtitle file from the search results.
- Download the Subtitles: Click the "Download selection" button to download the subtitles. The file will be saved to the default location of the video, and VLC will automatically add it to the currently playing video.
Additional Tips for Using VLSub
- Subtitle Language: You can change the subtitle language from the drop-down menu in the VLSub window. This allows you to search for subtitles in various languages, though availability depends on what is available on OpenSubtitles.org.
- Subtitle Synchronization: If the downloaded subtitles are out of sync, you can easily adjust them within VLC. Right-click on the video, go to "Subtitle" > "Sub Track," and adjust the synchronization settings as needed.
- Android App: The VLC Android app also supports automatic subtitle downloading without the need for additional add-ons. Simply open the video, tap on the screen to show on-screen buttons, tap on the subtitle button, and select "Download subtitles" to start the search.
By following these steps, you can efficiently download and apply subtitles to your videos using VLC Media Player, saving you time and effort in the process.