Choose subtitles that match what you are watching

Start with the subtitles in the video

Embedded subtitles are tracks supplied with the stream or file. They are usually the best first choice because they belong to that version of the video. Downloaded subtitles are separate files obtained through an optional service; a matching title alone does not guarantee matching timing.

Odyssey can only select tracks that the source and playback engine expose. Some videos have words permanently drawn into the picture. Those are often called burned-in subtitles, and switching a subtitle track off cannot remove them.

Select or turn off a track

1. Start the intended film or episode and reveal the player controls.
2. Open Subtitles where the Odyssey player shows that action. The native player can present subtitle choices through its own playback controls.
3. Choose an embedded track in the language you need. Check a scene with dialogue before changing more settings.
4. If you do not want subtitles, choose the available off option. For the default on future videos, use Settings → Playback → Subtitle Language → None.

On Apple TV, move focus to the subtitle control and select it with the remote. On iPhone, iPad and Mac, use the visible player controls. The exact track names come from the source, so language and accessibility descriptions can differ between files.

Set language and appearance

Subtitle Language in Settings → Playback chooses the language Odyssey should enable when available. It cannot create a missing track. None starts videos without subtitles; a manual choice during playback remains a deliberate override.

Subtitle appearance controls are available in Settings → Subtitles. The current implementation also exposes Subtitle Size during supported playback and in non-TV Playback settings. Size and position are device preferences: choose what is comfortable for the screen you are using.

Specially styled subtitle formats and different playback engines can apply styling differently. If a change seems ineffective, first determine whether you selected an embedded text track, a downloaded track, or words burned into the image.

Use OpenSubtitles only when you need it

1. Open Settings → Sources & Services → Subtitles & Skipping. Where Kids Mode or account Kids protection restricts these settings, complete the requested owner approval. Ordinary adult management does not require a routine owner-PIN step.
2. Enable Search OpenSubtitles and configure the optional service with your API key and desired language codes. Account username and password fields are optional, but provide both together if using an account login.
3. Choose Save to apply subtitle and credential changes. Use Verify OpenSubtitles once a saved key is present.
4. Return to the video and open its subtitle choices. Review the OpenSubtitles results, including the release or file name.
5. Select a specific result to download and use it. Search results are choices; they are not a promise that Odyssey has found the correct release automatically.

Downloads use the service's allowance. Where the service reports them, settings show Downloads Remaining or Account Allowance and Quota Reset. Do not repeatedly download variants before checking the episode and release.

Match the episode and the release

You are watching season 2, episode 4 of a series. The embedded English track is missing, so you search OpenSubtitles. First confirm season 2 and episode 4, then compare the release description with the file you are playing. A subtitle for episode 5 can have the right series name and still be entirely wrong.

If dialogue is consistently half a second late and your player offers Subtitle Timing, move it Earlier in small steps. The verified timing control uses 100-millisecond increments. Use Reset Timing to return to zero. If timing drifts progressively or jumps after an advert break, choose a better-matching subtitle instead of chasing the offset throughout the programme.

Common problems

No Matching Subtitles means the current search and filters produced no result. Check the languages. If closed captions were excluded, Include CC Subtitles lets you widen that search. CC or SDH tracks can include speaker labels and descriptions of sounds.

API Key Required points back to service configuration. OpenSubtitles Unavailable may describe a service or account issue; read the message before using Retry Search. Embedded subtitles remain worth checking while the optional service is unavailable.

When moving back to an embedded track, choose that track explicitly. In the native player's OpenSubtitles menu, Turn Off OpenSubtitles removes the downloaded selection. Read the troubleshooting guide if two sets of captions appear or timings still disagree.

Quick answers

Will downloaded subtitles work when casting? That depends on the casting route and source. AirPlay can require an HLS source for a downloaded subtitle file; the casting guide explains the available fallback.

Does selecting a language guarantee subtitles for every title? No. A suitable embedded track or matching external file must exist.