#61 Position tags ({\an8}) are stripped when saving SRT files (v6.3.8)

[Mixmatmax]

Hi,

In Subtitle Workshop 6.3.8, position tags are lost when an SRT file is saved. Specifically, {\an8} tags (used to move a subtitle to the top of the screen) are present in the file when it’s opened, but they disappear from the output once the file is saved.

Since this affects any subtitle that relies on top positioning (e.g. to avoid on-screen text), a hotfix would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot for your work on Subtitle Workshop, it’s an invaluable tool!

[Kameleon_]

That's normal behavior. \an8 tags aren't in the srt specifications. Use the ass format which does have support for \anX tags. Using \an8 (or any \anX) tags in srt will literally show "\an8" on the screen of the video player when using srt.

[Mixmatmax]

Thank you for your reply.
I understand that {\anX} tags are not part of the official SRT specification. However, they were fully supported in Subtitle Workshop up to version 6.3.7 (correct top positioning, without the tag appearing on screen). This behavior only changed in 6.3.8.
I personally prefer to keep working with SRT rather than ASS, as it’s the format I use most of the time. Would it be possible to restore support for {\anX} tags in SRT files, as it used to work before?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Best regards

[Kameleon_]

I have to consider problems that arise from including \anX tags in srt files. such as: literally displaying "\anX" on televisions that follow normal srt specifications or getting confused with ass tags.

If you want to use \anX or \pos, use the proper format. That is ass.
If you want to use position, line and align, use the proper format. That is WebVTT.

If you want to use a srt-like format with positioning, I suggest giving WebVTT a shot.

Unfortunately there is no one format that fits all.

[Mixmatmax]

Understood. I get the compatibility concerns.
In that case I’ll just stick with version 6.3.7, which still handles the tags the way I need.
Thanks for the explanation.

[Mixmatmax]

Using \an8 (or any \anX) tags in srt will literally show "\an8" on the screen of the video player when using srt.

Actually, most modern video players handle \anX tags in SRT files correctly and don’t display the tag on screen. Players like VLC, MPC-HC, PotPlayer, mpv and many others have supported them for years without showing the raw tag.

[Kameleon_]

I believe it's a way to circumvent the tags that don't belong there. Subtitle Workshop tries to do it the correct way: when an improper tag is found, delete it before it causes trouble.