Can't see the subtitles in totem
Okay When a DVD is ripped via Windows it does not save the subtitles in a separate file it simply lays the text in an overlay on the .VOB file.
I installed gstreamer-plugins-ugly and gstreamer-plugins-bad plus the dependencies again using the --reinstall command.
After re-ripping the DVD and creating a .sub file from the subtitle file on the DVD I have managed to load the subtitles in Totem without a problem.
It seems that Totem, even with the restricted plug ins and additions from the MediBuntu PPA can not read the subtitles from ripped DVD's although it can from traditional DVDs i.e. on a disc.
You can however, if you already have ripped DVDs or videos with subtitles simply create a .sub file in a text editor and save it in the Root of the DVD folder. Once saved you can open the file you have created by selected "Select text subtitles" This will load the file and display the subtitles as an overlay on the screen.
As with AVI files CYREX had it 100% as long as the .avi and the .srt file are named the same and in the same folder you can open the file and activate subtitles from the right click menu.