HandBrake is a free, open-source tool designed for converting video files from virtually any format into a selection of modern, widely compatible codecs. It makes it easy to prepare video files from your camera for playback on a variety of devices, such as iPhones, iPods, Apple TVs, Android phones, Android tablets, and more. The app also fully supports one of the most popular video conversion processes: transferring movies from DVDs to your hard drive by converting them to MPEG-4 format files. Users can apply several useful video filters, including grayscale, detelecine, decomb, deinterlace, denoise, and deblock, as well as customize video codec, quality, and framerate, audio codec, mixdown, sample frequency rate, and bitrate.
Originally developed in 2003 by Eric Petit for the BeOS operating system, HandBrake was later ported to Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu). Petit continued working on the project until 2006, when he stepped away and allowed the community to take over its development. The app was initially called “MediaFork” but was renamed back to HandBrake.
After years of continuous development, HandBrake remains one of the most popular video conversion programs available. It is still 100% free and frequently updated to support the latest video and audio codecs.
Here are a few reasons why you’ll love HandBrake:
Built-in Device Presets
Quickly get started by selecting a preset profile optimized for your device, or choose a universal profile for standard or high-quality conversions. For more customization, you can adjust both basic and advanced options to enhance your encodes.
Supported Input Sources
HandBrake can process common multimedia files and any DVD or Blu-ray sources that are not copy-protected.
Outputs
- File Containers: .MP4 (.M4V) and .MKV
- Video Encoders: H.264 (x264), MPEG-4, MPEG-2 (libav), and Theora (libtheora)
- Audio Encoders: AAC, CoreAudio AAC/HE-AAC (OS X Only), MP3, FLAC, AC3, and Vorbis
- Audio Pass-thru: AC-3, DTS, DTS-HD, AAC, and MP3 tracks
Additional Features
- Title/Chapter selection
- Queue multiple encodes
- Chapter markers
- Subtitles (VobSub, Closed Captions CEA-608, SSA, SRT)
- Constant Quality or Average Bitrate Video Encoding
- Support for VFR, CFR, and VFR
- Video Filters: Deinterlacing, Decomb, Detelecine, Deblock, Grayscale, Cropping, and Scaling
- Live Video Preview
FAQ’s
What is HandBrake and what does it do?
HandBrake is a free, open-source software that allows you to convert video files from almost any format into widely supported formats such as MP4 and MKV. It supports a wide range of devices, including iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Android phones, and more. It also offers features for transferring DVDs or Blu-ray movies to digital formats, as well as applying filters and adjusting video settings like quality, codec, and framerate.
Is HandBrake free to use?
Yes, HandBrake is completely free to use. It is open-source software, which means anyone can download and use it without any cost. Additionally, it’s regularly updated to keep up with the latest video and audio codecs.
Can I use HandBrake to convert DVD movies to digital files?
Yes, HandBrake can convert DVDs to digital files, such as MP4 or MKV. However, it cannot process DVDs that have copy protection or encryption. For DVDs without protection, you can use HandBrake to transfer the movie to your hard drive in a format that is easy to play on a variety of devices.
What kind of video filters can I apply in HandBrake?
HandBrake offers several video filters, including:
- Grayscale (turns the video into black and white)
- Detelecine (removes telecine effects from interlaced video)
- Decomb (removes combing effects)
- Deinterlace (removes interlacing in video)
- Denoise (reduces noise in the video)
- Deblock (removes blocky artifacts in the video)
What is the purpose of HandBrake’s built-in device presets?
HandBrake comes with built-in device presets that allow you to quickly choose the best settings for your specific device (e.g., iPhone, Android, or Apple TV). This feature simplifies the process of encoding, making it faster and easier for users who don’t want to manually adjust all settings. You can also choose a universal profile for standard or high-quality conversions.
Can I queue multiple videos to convert in HandBrake?
Yes, HandBrake allows you to queue multiple video files for conversion. This means you can set up a batch of files to be encoded one after the other, saving you time by letting HandBrake run the conversions automatically.
Does HandBrake support subtitles?
Yes, HandBrake supports subtitles in various formats, including:
- VobSub
- Closed Captions (CEA-608)
- SSA (SubStation Alpha)
- SRT (SubRip)
What is the difference between Constant Quality and Average Bitrate video encoding in HandBrake?
- Constant Quality (CQ) mode adjusts the bitrate dynamically to maintain consistent video quality. It’s great for users who want the best possible quality for their files, as it ensures a high level of detail throughout.
- Average Bitrate (ABR) mode sets a specific bitrate for the entire video. This method gives you more control over file size, but may result in slightly lower quality in some cases compared to CQ mode.
Can I preview my video before converting it in HandBrake?
Yes, HandBrake includes a live video preview feature that lets you view a small portion of your video before starting the conversion. This helps you ensure the settings you’ve chosen are working as expected and gives you an idea of the final result.
What platforms can I use HandBrake on?
HandBrake is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux (Ubuntu). This makes it accessible to users on most major operating systems. Whether you’re using a PC, Mac, or Linux-based system, you can enjoy the benefits of HandBrake’s powerful conversion tools.
Can I edit the quality and size of my video in HandBrake?
Yes, HandBrake allows you to adjust both video quality and file size. You can choose a Constant Quality setting for optimal quality or adjust the Average Bitrate to control the output size. These settings help you balance between video quality and the final file size.
Conclusion
HandBrake is a versatile and reliable video conversion tool that offers both beginners and experienced users a seamless way to convert, compress, and optimize video files. With its broad format support, customizable settings, and useful features like device presets, subtitle support, and video filters, it makes video conversion quick and easy. Whether you’re transferring DVDs, preparing videos for playback on various devices, or adjusting video quality and size, HandBrake remains a top choice—completely free and regularly updated to meet the demands of modern video encoding. Its continued popularity is a testament to its effectiveness and ease of use.
