Tech Questions

[Matthew_S]

1) I'm relatively new to Macs.  Recently I've found that my Mac is much slower to start and for programs to load.  In PC-land, I know that simple things like defragmentation can help.  But that is not an issue with Macs, right?  Any easy fixes or suggestions?


2) There is a foreign language DVD I'd like to borrow from the NY Public Library.  The DVD does not include english subtitles, but I know there is a subtitles file available online.  I'm not sure how to combine these - meaning I don't know how to make the DVD play on the computer, while adding in the subtitles.  I know if I ripped the movie from the DVD it would then be easy to accomplish, but is there a simpler way?

[moonshake]

#1: This might not fix it but check for any unnecessary apps that load on login. Go to System Pref. > Accounts > Your account > Login Items tab and remove apps that you know don't need to launch at login. I've heard defragmenting on Macs is not helpful.

#2: Use VLC media player to play the DVD instead of the default app from Apple. It will let you use your own subtitles file. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-macosx.html

[Matthew_S]

I tried with VLC and was not able to accomplish it.

If you open a video file (not a disc), you can open a separate subtitles file.  But, when I open a disc, I cannot open a separate subtitle file.

[yesno]

Rip the DVD with Handbrake, and then do it with VLC.

I don't think there's really a way otherwise.  Even then it's a matter of two syncing.  I have gotten third-party subtitles to work before, though.