[achilles_t7]

KODI allows the selection of only two fonts for subtitles. "Arial.ttf" and "Teletext.tt". Obviously nobody uses "Teletext" because it looks like crap. I don’t even know why developers even put that in there. So we are left with "Arial.ttf".

Call me picky, but I really hate the way this specific version of "Arial" looks in Greek, because in Greek it is not really "Arial"! Some characters are not simplified, and are curvy (like ν and λ) and kind of calligraphic. Also the characters with accents don't look good. This is weird (to me anyway) and will make my reading not to flow naturally during a movie.

I looked into this, and I found that in order to add a different font in android, you have to find the folder where the fonts are stored and stick a different .ttf file in there. The folder path (if I’m not mistaken) is: Device/data/data/org.xbmc.kodi/cache/assets/media/Fonts

Then I realized this path is not accessible unless your android device is rooted! (wtf).

I happen to have a rooted device; So I added the typical MS office "Arial" font, renamed it "Arial2", it appeared in KODI settings, I chose it and voila! Simplified "Arial" style characters in Greek looking great! Now this font will often disappear, when device memory is cleared, or when KODI updates, and I will have to re-add it. I also have another unrooted device, in which I cannot do this, so I’m stuck with a font I don’t like.

So my question is: For something so essential in video playback, like subtitles, why does KODI only offers the choice of two crappy fonts, and makes it so difficult to choose a different font? Wouldn't something like "add more" in fonts' options make sense?

[ashlar]

I think this should be in the Feature Requests section (http://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=9).

I most definitely +1 anyway, as I feel font choice in subtitles should be easier.

[achilles_t7]

Sorry I'm new, I didn't realize there was a "requests" section. Maybe an administrator could move this to that section...

Thanks for the reply, I'm glad I'm not crazy and not the only one who thought about this.

[Tinwarble]

Moved to Feature requests.

[bonezy]

Was just thinking of this today and google search led me here.
I just don't like the look of the font plus I like to have options...

Although NVIDIA provides a rooted OS image for my SHIELD ANDROID TV, I just couldn't be bothered to reflash it to add a font.

So a +1 from me with this request too!!!

[host505]

Though a valid request, op is mistaken about the requirement of root.
According to the wiki the extra/custom subtitle fonts should be placed at .Kodi/media/Fonts.
On Android though the Fonts folder seems to be missing for some reason, but if you create it and put your .ttf's in it you can choose them on subtitle font setting.
No root required (but you need to enable the appearance of hidden items on your file manager) and they won't be overwritten after Kodi updates.

[jjd-uk]

Well it's recently become possible in the v18 code to make use of font addons, however at this moment in time there's no font addons in the resource addon repo. Doesn't seem to have been publicised yet so not exactly sure if there is something to finish off, perhaps waiting reference implementation that others can follow like moving the roboto font from Estuary to a font resource addon before the word is more widely spread.

[DiMag]

Well it's recently become possible in the v18 code to make use of font addons, however at this moment in time there's no font addons in the resource addon repo.

If there were one, how would it integrate into the menus with font selection (e.g. Language preferences, Subtitles, Interface fonts)?
The reason I amasking is that I have discovered a RobotoCJK fonts resource addon and I am obviously wondering whether it could be forked to provide other fonts as well.

[scott967]

AFAIK resource fonts can only be used by skins and maybe addons.

Should mention that there is a PR 20552 (PR) that would supply supplemental fonts as part of language addons for use when current font lacks a mapping for a needed character.

scott s.
.

[DiMag]

AFAIK resource fonts can only be used by skins 
.

Yes, this is exactly what I want to use the fonts for. But how can a font included in a resource.fonts.addon be referenced in $HOME/addons/skin.addon/xml/Fonts.xml? The wiki only tells you that the skin finds any TTF fonts copied to $USER/media/fonts.

[jjd-uk]

Sorry I don't really know much how these actually work, it's only recently realcopacetic submitted the first font addon to the repo https://github.com/xbmc/repo-resources/pull/392 Is that what you found?

If so perhaps @realcopacetic can you help you.

Some references

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=314595
https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/12130
https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/13515

[jjd-uk]

Looks like @jurialmunkey has one too at https://github.com/jurialmunkey/resource...obotocjksc not submitted to Kodi repo though.

You can see how he uses in font.xml at https://github.com/jurialmunkey/skin.arc...i/Font.xml

An example:

xml:
        <font>

            <name>font_info_black</name>

            <filename>resource://resource.font.robotocjksc/RobotoCJKSC-Bold.ttf</filename>

            <aspect>0.89</aspect>

            <size>112</size>

        </font>

Looks like to needs to be defined in the addon.xml as well https://github.com/jurialmunkey/skin.arc.../addon.xml

[DiMag]

Thanks @jjd-uk, yes, this is exactly the resource.font.* I found. I shall try it as advised and keep you posted.

[thezoggy]

to toss this up as an idea for an alt font: https://github.com/microsoft/cascadia-code