Product Reviews

HandBrake converts non-copy-protected DVDs for playback on various devices including iPods. The program's window is organised into three sections: source and output, the toolbar - where you manage the queue - and encoder settings.

The source can be a DVD or a VIDEO_TS folder. HandBrake retrieves a list of titles and chapters from the source. You can also queue items from multiple sources. The program's other controls aren't disabled when scanning a new source, but interacting with them can make HandBrake crash, although this is easy to avoid with a little care and attention.

HandBrake lets you create MP4, AVI, OGM and MKV files, with various combinations of H.264 or Mpeg-4 video, and AAC, MP3, AC3 and Ogg Vorbis audio.

There are several encoding presets for Apple devices, as well as other products such as Sony PSP, or you can create your own. Technically minded users seeking

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optimal results can use these as a starting point, and refine them. For video, these range from the usual frame rate and bitrate settings to de-interlace and de-noise filters. HandBrake can also create anamorphic output - handy for Apple TV users who don't want to reduce the vertical resolution of their video.

Where available, two audio tracks can be retained from your DVD. Sadly, the audio encoder has a maximum bitrate of 160kbit/sec, which may be too compromising for those with a good ear.

Chapter markers can be included in MP4 and MKV files, which you can rename with a click. You can't add or delete chapters - you must include all or none of them.

The H.264-specific settings reveal motion estimation and detailed Mpeg features. Easy access to these settings is key to HandBrake's excellent reputation, as well as its use of the FFmpeg and Xvid encoders.

Before conversion, you can inspect the queue, but items can only be removed, not rearranged or retrieved for amendment. This is troublesome if two files are queued with the same path and filename, as HandBrake overwrites the earlier one without warning.

You can pause or cancel conversion, but while HandBrake warns you that encoding is unrecoverable, there's no indication that remaining queued items are also removed.

While working around the quirks in the workflow is easy, HandBrake would be more robust and suitable for the average user if they were resolved. Presets are not enough.