Serviio

Posted: **Sun Jun 28, 2026 4:04 pm**

I found this listing that you could name subititle files to set languages and forced as valid options:
https://www.serviio.org/index.php?optio ... icle&id=33

When using an external subtitles file, it has to named with the same name as the video file, except the extension, e.g.:
my_movie.avi
my_movie.srt

You can also specify the language, e.g.:
my_movie.avi
my_movie_en.srt
my_movie-de.sub
my_movie(fra).srt
my_movie.cz.srt

You can also force a subtitle file to side-step the language rules. Simply put the word forced into the file name, like:
my_movie.avi
my_movie.forced.srt
my_movie-de.forced.sub
my_movie(fra).forced.srt
my_movie.cz.forced.srt

Curious if the <filename>_en.srt is just an example or if <filename>.en.srt should also be supported.

So far, the only thing that seems to work for me is: <filename>.srt

I would like to be able to have files that are forced and full CC for when I watch late at night, or watching stuff that has heavy accents.

I suppose I could tinker around and try various file name structures and see, was just hoping there was a list already hammered out for roku devices.

My primary roku is a roku ultra 4660x and my secondary is a roku ultra 4640x so I can use the toslink for audio to my older soundbar that doesn't have HDMI in/out.

I have my serviio setup so it doesn't transcode as I encode the files in mp4/h264/ac3 before putting them on my media server. I had started this way due to the fact that I used to use sony bluray players as my DLNA player and have since changed to the roku devices for DLNA and all streaming needs.

Posted: **Mon Jun 29, 2026 5:13 am**

Based on the list you posted, <filename>.en.srt should work. At least, from Serviio's standpoint. I can't find anything specific to Roku devices, but at least one website I found that discusses naming SRT files recommends this format. Just remember the filename must be identical for the video and the SRT, only differing with the file extension and the potential language ID. The handful of SRT files I have are all English and I don't bother with adding the language ID label.

I seldom use a Roku for my local media these days (Roku Media Player has had broken functionality for some file types for years and they haven't updated the app in a long time), but best I remember the SRT files play fine with my various Roku players.

Posted: **Mon Jun 29, 2026 11:28 pm**

atc98092 wrote:Based on the list you posted, <filename>.en.srt should work. At least, from Serviio's standpoint. I can't find anything specific to Roku devices, but at least one website I found that discusses naming SRT files recommends this format. Just remember the filename must be identical for the video and the SRT, only differing with the file extension and the potential language ID. The handful of SRT files I have are all English and I don't bother with adding the language ID label.

I seldom use a Roku for my local media these days (Roku Media Player has had broken functionality for some file types for years and they haven't updated the app in a long time), but best I remember the SRT files play fine with my various Roku players.

Yeah, it didn't appear to work. I created these:
PRESSURE_2026_BR.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.en.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.eng.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.english.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.mp4

When I go into roku's menu to select a language, it says only one is available. I'm guessing it's the first one that is a full match to the mp4 file without the language.

I didn't try a <file>.forced.srt yet.

I also didn't change the files, just copied the main one and gave it different names, so maybe it knows since the files are exactly the same it just shows the one.

I've added a forced file and modified all of them to have unique text for the first 10 seconds to see what I see.

Posted: **Tue Jun 30, 2026 12:39 am**

Since I only have a single SRT file for the titles I have them for, I've never experienced attempting to change to a different version. I have heard in the past that Roku might not play nicely with multiple files, but I've never attempted to confirm or deny that.

I do see this statement under Serviio subtitle support:

If you don't have a preferred language code set up, it will only look for the default subtitle file (my_movie.srt).

So ensure you have a preferred language entered in the Serviio console, although I do see that any file with FORCED in the name will ignore the preferred language and only use that file.

Posted: **Tue Jun 30, 2026 3:08 pm**

atc98092 wrote:Since I only have a single SRT file for the titles I have them for, I've never experienced attempting to change to a different version. I have heard in the past that Roku might not play nicely with multiple files, but I've never attempted to confirm or deny that.

I do see this statement under Serviio subtitle support:

If you don't have a preferred language code set up, it will only look for the default subtitle file (my_movie.srt).

So ensure you have a preferred language entered in the Serviio console, although I do see that any file with FORCED in the name will ignore the preferred language and only use that file.

I setup the preferred language to have "en,eng,english" in it. Didn't seem to matter.

I have these files now and the subtitle menu in roku still just shows "single track available" and it's the one without forced or any language sub extensions.
PRESSURE_2026_BR.en.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.eng.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.english.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.forced.srt
PRESSURE_2026_BR.srt - this is the one that gets shown, the others are all ignored
PRESSURE_2026_BR.mp4

So, I guess now I know. Roku works with one file only.

I suppose I could try and remove the one file that appears to work and see if it shows anything just to clarify what it does end up showing.

Posted: **Wed Jul 01, 2026 1:02 am**

Yeah, I have a hunch it's a Roku restriction. I play media from Serviio using Kodi on several devices (Nvidia Shield, Fire TV Cube, Onn 4K media player) and they all allow selecting alternat caption and audio tracks.

Serviio

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Roku srt subtitle support with mp4

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Re: Roku srt subtitle support with mp4

Re: Roku srt subtitle support with mp4