Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
When , back in late 2006 , we last look at the free DVD - ripping toolHandBrake , it had just turned 0.9.0 . And for its 0.9.0 birthday it gained greater ease of use , better picture quality , conversion presets , and advanced encoding features . In the several years since , HandBrake ’s rendering number has advanced only to 0.9.4 , but that seemingly lowly interlingual rendition increase actually reflects with child changes .
In the interest of fill in the gap between HandBrake 0.9.0 and the current version , I should mention what versions 0.9.1 through 0.9.3 brought to the board . Version 0.9.1 provide mostly bug fixes , while 0.9.2 introduced backing for Dolby Digital 5.1 sound in MP4 file , iPhone - compatible anamorphic telecasting , variable skeleton - rate encryption , and enceinte stability .
Version 0.9.3 contribute a much more meaning alteration : the loss of HandBrake ’s make - in videodisc - decryption code , as HandBrake ’s developer got out of the copy - protective covering - stripping business . However , they made no secret of the fact that if you installed a transcript ofVLC Media Player , HandBrake would take advantage ofVLC’sability to skirt DVD copy - protection schemes , and thus allow you to rend commercial DVDs . ( Such is the case today — you still call for VLC to take out copy - protection from commercial-grade videodisk when using HandBrake . )
HandBrake and its Preview window
improvement in 0.9.3 included the capableness to choose other picture source , including VIDEO_TS leaflet . Video tone was improve , as was audio - video synchronization . And Handbrake 0.9.3 tackle its fair share of bug .
HandBrake is also now available in 32- and 64 - bit versions , with the 64 - bit version promote as offering a upper boost of up to 10 percentage . And you do n’t take Snow Leopard to take vantage of the 64 - number version — it puzzle out under Leopard on any Intel Mac with a Core 2 Duo or better central processor . ( Those with Core Duo or Core Solo processors should employ the 32 - moment Intel release . A Power PC version is useable , as well . )
I screen the 64 - bit version under Leopard on a 2.66GHz quad - pith Mac Pro with 8 GB of RAM . Using the Apple television preset , HandBrake encoded the 1 - hour , 2 - minute premier episode of HBO’sSix Feet Underin 31 transactions and 41 seconds ; the 32 - second version took 34 minute and 53 bit to do the same job . Not quite a 10 - percentage difference , but close .
I did n’t see a remarkable modification in encoding times when run these same tests under Snow Leopard on the same Mac Pro , and you ’ll see little conflict on a slow Mac — if you have a Power PC Mac , an older Intel iMac , or a pre-2009 Mac miniskirt , you should still be develop to wait 60 minutes to rip a feature article - duration videodisk . If you have such a Mac and are in a hurry , the Little App Factory ’s $ 20 RipIt will do the caper more quickly ( though it rips the entire disc rather than just a TV sequence or main feature , and it does n’t convert the resulting telecasting to an iPod- , iPhone- , or Apple TV - compatible format ) .
The young adaptation also ameliorate trailer : Whereas Old adaptation could display still frames to show how a to - be - encode picture would depend with the current scope , interpretation 0.9.4 lets you view video time , as well , throw you a far good estimation of the ruined video ’s quality . The Preview windowpane also countenance you navigate to other areas of the video , and opt to view cartridge holder up to 60 seconds in length .
HandBrake and its Preview windowpane
A new Picture configurations window lets you aline the acme , width , and cropping of your picture , as well as Scomber japonicus with deinterlace , decomb , and deblock setting . These latter setting are still for advanced users , but they ’re more obvious than they were in the yesteryear .
When HandBrake first look , a cardinal focus was on create video that looked proficient at smaller data file sizes . The in vogue HandBrake still lets you create low files , but it also makes it well-heeled , thanks to a new Constant Quality yellow-bellied terrapin , to create great - look ( or , at least , logical - looking ) picture when Indian file size is n’t a big concern . This lineament keep the born-again video ’s timber consistent across the continuance of the video . ( When using this option , the 2 - pass Encoding choice is disabled , as it ’s unnecessary . ) By default option , many of HandBrake ’s presets are set at a constant lineament of just over 60 - pct .
HandBrake 0.9.4 finally allows you to admit subtitle in your converted video without burn them into the picture track : When using the unexampled Forced Only choice , subtitles appear during playback only when you ask for them ( via a command in your picture player ) .
Finally , HandBrake 0.9.4 loses some baggage from the past , such as the AVI , XviD , and OGG / OGM encryption option , as well as a identification number of outdated presets — you’re able to still encode video for PSP , PS3 , and Xbox 360 , but the specific presets for them have been removed , along with the Film , Animation , and Television presets . These seem like perfectly reasonable omissions , specially given the popularity of equipment that suffer not one bit from a unfluctuating diet of H.264 video .
For those who bid to convert the videodisc they own for the purpose of archive their content , conduct it on a laptop computer , or making it compatible with a twist such as an iPod , iPhone , or Apple TV , HandBrake is a godsend . It ’s reachable enough for those new to DVD ripping , but has enough features for more - demand users who want to pluck their video recording to the nth degree . And who can reason with destitute ?
