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What is HandBrake and how to use it to transcode video

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admin_rajeshc
August 19, 2020

Let’s discover HandBrake, the free video transcoder. In this video tutorial, we cover the details on how to make good use of HandBrake.

When it comes to video transcoding, most of us probably turn to Adobe Media Encoder. However, HandBrake is a free, open source transcoder that a lot of people may not know exists. In this tutorial, we will explain how to use HandBrake and how it compares to other applications like Adobe Media Encoder.

What is HandBrake?

HandBrake is incredibly effective at reducing the file size of a video. Image via handbrake.fr.

HandBrake is a free and open source video transcoder. It is used to convert videos from many different formats to more commonly used formats (such as MP4) and is very effective in reducing the file size of a video. It can be downloaded from handbrake.fr, and it supports Mac, Windows and Linux. The iconic HandBrake logo is quite unorthodox, featuring a tropical drink and pineapple.

Video formats

Although HandBrake can transcode video from many different formats, currently it can only output video in three formats. Those container formats are:

MP4: Common multimedia format, usually for codecs such as H.264 and H.265. (Note: HandBrake actually exports MP4 files as WAV files. We’ll take a closer look later in the tutorial.)
MKV: An open-source container format that can hold an unlimited number of video tracks and other media in a single file. Also known as the Matroska format.
WebM: Open source container format specially designed for reading on web browsers.

x264

What makes HandBrake so powerful is how it can encode MP4 files with the H.264 codec. It uses an open-source encoder called x264. If that sounds a bit confusing, to put it simply, HandBrake can compress MP4 files better than most other encoders.

Comparison of HandBrake to Adobe Media Encoder

Let’s see a quick comparison of an MP4 export between HandBrake and Adobe Media Encoder. I have a sample video clip of me speaking on camera. The original clip is 0:16 and the resolution is 1920 × 1080.

With Media Encoder I exported an MP4 and used the preset Match Source – Average bit rate, which has a very low target bit rate of 3 Mbps and a maximum bit rate of 6 Mbps. The exported video file was 6.55 MB, which is quite small.

Adobe Media Encoder Settings — *You can export MP4 using Match Source – Medium Bitrate preset.*

I then exported the sample video via HandBrake, using its default 1080p 30 Quick Preset. The exported HandBrake video was 3.67 MB, which is almost half as much as exporting from Media Encoder. And the files didn’t show any noticeable difference when playing.

File Size Comparison — *Here is the file size comparison.*

If you “pixel-peep” the HandBrake video frame by frame, you will start to see more noticeable compression. The important thing is that the compression is not noticeable to viewers during normal playback. I didn’t even notice it at all until I zoomed in on the video clip frame by frame.

Compression comparison — *At first glance, the difference in compression is not noticeable.*

Benefits of compressed video formats

The reduction in file size you get with HandBrake makes it perfect if you host your own videos online or have a lot of looping video backgrounds on a website. It can really help cut load times. Social media videos are another good use of HandBrake, as these platforms tend to prefer smaller sized videos.

Using HandBrake

Using HandBrake to transcode videos is pretty straightforward. Once you launch the app, you can drag and drop the video you want to compress.

Drag and drop video clip — *Drag and drop the video you want to compress.*

From here you can choose between tab options to compose various settings.

Parameters and options — *You can now select your various parameters.*

You can also choose from many built-in presets. The default preset is called 1080p fast 30, and serves as an ideal starting point in most cases.

If you’re wondering what a specific parameter does, just hover your mouse cursor over the parameter and wait. An explanatory text usually appears.

Contextual information — *For a quick explanation, hover the mouse cursor over the parameter.*

Exporting MP4 files to M4V format

As mentioned earlier, HandBrake actually exports MP4 files with the M4V extension. the HandBrake Documentation indicates that this makes the file compatible with QuickTime and QuickTime based applications. HandBrake also states that the M4V file is exactly the same as an MP4, and you can just change the file extension from .m4v to .mp4 if you prefer!

Too much video compression?

If your video looks too compressed with artifacts, check out another tutorial we have on the Shutterstock blog – Tips to Reduce Visible Video Compression in Video Downloads.

Cover Image Logo via Hand brake.

Interested in the tracks we used to make this video?

Improve your video production values with these handy tips and tricks:

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