HandBrake

4.0 stars

"Worked very well until I had OS X re-installed"

March 9, 2013  |   By f1rd720

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

Fast, easy and works well with iTunes

Cons

Hasn't worked since I had OS X re-installed

Summary

I used Handbrake for about a year and a half with no problems but after I had to take my computer to Apple and they re-installed OS X, Handbrake hasn't worked. It scans OK but 2-4 seconds after you hit, Start, it says that it is finished. I am using Version 0.9.8 x86_64 and I don't know how to fix it. I really like(d) Handbrake and would like to use it again but I don't know what happened and why I can't put my movies on my computer.

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4.0 stars

"Clean Interface, usually works as intended"

February 24, 2013  |   By outlawcowboy

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

Converts to .mkv and .mp4 formats with option of either setting a target file size or using user variable levels of compression

Cons

SOMETIMES converts to .m4v format DESPITE .mp4 being selected.

Summary

Does a good job. The only other bell and whistle which would be a nice inclusion would be a rudimentary editing function.

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5.0 stars

"Good tool for high quality video compression"

February 17, 2013  |   By eurositi

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

+ Many advanced video editing filters to remove image noise or optimize compression quality. Highly recommended for storage purposes.
+ Uses the no. 1 video compression codec: x264
+ Great user discussion forum & lots of presets you can download
+ Useful for finalizing digitized analogue recordings (VHS tape recordings), because you can remove image noise in many ways
+ Handbrake has existed for about 7 or 8 years
+ Does not contain any 'crapware'. WYSIWYG.

Cons

- Not recommended for beginners. Use the preview feature before you run a big conversion job
- Lacks a visual (non-linear) video editing feature (but that was not what Handbrake was made for)

Summary

With the right amount of experience and patience Handbrake can produce video output that can compete with expensive paid software.

Handbrake is state-of-the-art freeware on the video editing scene for all computer OSes (Windows, MacOS, Linux).

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1.0 stars

"Total Loss of functionality"

January 21, 2013  |   By Zandiman1

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

None since it doesn't do what it used to.

Cons

This version of Handbrake can not -- WILL NOT- convert and compress an entire, large Mkv file. I've tried it with both an MKV to MP4 and MKV to MKV outputs and in both cases the finished result is only the first part of the entire movie file.

The exclusion of custom output file size settings in this version is also a dumb and baffling move from an app that has always been so smart.

The only thing I've been able to get this version of HB to do is convert small avi and MP4 files to Mkv's. That's it. Really disappointing time waster.

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1.0 stars

"Unusable on Win 7 x64"

December 25, 2012  |   By Bill_Woo

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

Unknown, since it crashed the first time I used it.

Cons

Crashes, and then must be killed with the Task Manager. It has two processes running in the Task Manager: and, one of them required repeated terminations to stop.

A question posted to their user forum asking about the crash was replied to with a terse statement to see a link: the linked-to page contined information on the inability of HandBrake to copy DRM, or other copy-protected, software.

While I do not believe the DVD I was trying to copy was copy-protected: even if it was: the application should be able to handle an error, and present a message to the user, not just crash, and require termination via the Task Manager.

Summary

Open source software is often worth what you pay for it.

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3.0 stars

"Still some work to do to make it better"

December 20, 2012  |   By cdebel2005

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

Can encode a short moment for preview. Have some options for "Denoising" which become useful when you encode video coming from cheap IP Cameras (it detect less changes and compression get better)

Cons

It doesn't remember every settings when you click on some toolbar options (like output resolution). GUI become unresponsive when you select a folder. Generate random results... you got to test many output format to get one working

Summary

Note: To all haters who will answer "No" to "Was this review helpful?", please comment otherwise everyone arround here will think that all these votes come from the publisher itself! It's lame.

Some people mentionned "Random result" in the past review, and this is absolutely true. Google for 5 minutes about "handbrake black screen" or "handbrake blank screen" and thousands of significant links will appear. And yes, after some conversion i've got no sound too.

The GUI become unresponsive when we click on some options like selecting a folder. I'm not talking here about "Add All (experimental)" option which at least show a progression by showing which file is beeing read. I'm talking about SOURCE / FOLDER. When you click on that option, every buttons become grayed out, there's no status showing anything, and it's frozen like this for few minutes! Windows doesn't show an "Application Not Responding", but this behavior is still not really nice.

I also get random result about output resolution. On 2 differents computers, with the same video to compress, when i select KEEP ASPECT RATIO, i don't have the same height on both computers if i specify 800 pixels width. This is not making much sense.

So basically, this software still need a lot of work to make it good. At least it should stop producing Black Screens on output video. If it's unable to convert properly, at least it should detect that the whole screen is black for 2 minutes... then stop the compression.

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5.0 stars

"Easy to Use and Comprehensive too"

December 7, 2012  |   By jdalske

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

I needed to convert an avi file to mp4 to put into a training program and was able to do it in seconds.
Prompts and suggestions about errors.
Comprehensive, I have yet to use all the tools this program has to offer but can't wait to do so.

Cons

I can't seem to figure out how to put audio into my file with out recording it first then overlapping it.

Summary

I highly recommend this program.

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3.0 stars

"Basic and limited but functional"

November 22, 2012  |   By ChrisWardinfo

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

Simple interface

Cons

Limited choice of output formats
Fixed set of preset image sizes with no option to customise
Heavily geared towards apple products/formats

Summary

This software promises a lot and to all purposes delivers. This is just a DVD ripper and you will need additional software if you want to convert the captured image, it's basic and limited but functional

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5.0 stars

"Must Have Utility
Most Have Utility"

September 17, 2012  |   By exxxviii

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

Quick, easy, high quality

Cons

Lots of options for the average user

Summary

This is a must have for any iOS user.

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1.0 stars

"Failed to start"

August 31, 2012  |   By gslv

Version: HandBrake 0.9.8

Pros

It sounded promising. Says it can crop and get the aspect ratio correct, which most people/programs can't seem to do.

Cons

On my XP it just fails to "initialize' trying to start.
Also the installer crashes the computer when it's closed, either by Cancel or Finish. Blue screen, which is recoverable with no problem by restarting.

Summary

Can't get a chance to try it. Software flaws.

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