My actual wish is to convert softsubs into hardsubs, and I have thought of 2 solutions, which would be...
a) Convert MKV files into another type of file that does not support embedded subtitles... Such as MP4, which retains the most quality, I think. But so far, all the converters do retain maximum video quality along with audio quality, but these converters do not detect the embedded subtitles in the MKV files. Which leads me to...

b) Somehow export embedded subtitle files so I can paste them into the output video later.

Anyone know of a decent converter that detects embedded subtitles, or perhaps a way to export said subtitles? Thanks in advance.

I do this with AllToAVI. It's a spectacularly useful program.

MKV and MP4 are container formats, not codecs. Both can have hard subs (since hard sub is just a video). What's the problem, and why do softsubs not work?

I am going to guess it's related to wanting to watch videos on something other than the computer. I wonder if I'm right

If that's the case, we need to know exactly which codecs the device supports.

The dvd player handles mkv just fine. The thing is that it display subtitles in places they do no belong... I so cannot enjoy my 16:9.

SoThink Video Converter.

I used this for my ipod touch and it never failed me.

And you have tried to fix this rather than just do a workaround?

The DVD player itself is not really a DVD player, and my TV is weird, but meh. I will see what I can do. Not really wasting your effort people, I appreciate your help.

Anyway, HIgurashi on big TV. Mind = Blown.

Sounds hot.

Run it through AllToAVI and see if it works. Can't hurt.

Looking around, I'm finding megui or ripbot264. Both need avisynth and vobsub and some other things, but you'll definitely have to re-encode it.