Handbrake is a free software that allows you to rip your DVD movies to your Hard Drive, iPod, iPhone, PSP, XBOX360 and generally any other video device you may have. It is a cross platform program since it has versions both for Windows and MAC. It can rip encrypted and unencrypted DVDs but protection methods other than CSS aren't supoorted. The supported output video formats are mpeg-4, xvid and h.264. So, download it from here and let's get started!
Click the Source Browse button and select the VIDEO_TS folder from your DVD.
Next you can select which title of the DVD you want to rip. Usually every DVD movie apart from the main movie has other titles as well such as extra scenes, trailers, interviews etc. The main movie title is the longest one (1). Usually the credits are the last chapter of the movie. Therefore you can reduce the size of the final video file if you omit the credits. To do so first open the movie with an external dvd player software and check if the credits are indeed the last chapter. If so reduce the second chapter field by one (2). You can also use this function to select only certain chapters of the movie to rip.
After that select the destination directory by clicking on the Destination browse button (1). Be sure there is enough free space in that location. You can also rename your encoded file from here (2).
Now it's time to configure the output video settings. This can be done either manually or by choosing one of the already saved Presets. There is a variety of Presets such as for AppleTV, iPhone, iPod, PS3, PSP, XBOX 360 and others. Of course you can configure each one of them to suit your needs.
If you want to configure manually the settings first you have to choose the output Video Encoder (1) between mpeg-4, xvid and h.264, as well as the ouput Audio Encoder (2) between aac, mp3, vorbis, ac3 and a combination of aac and ac3. Moreover if you are using iTunes with an iPod 5G/5.5G and only if the horizonal resolution of the video exceeds 320 pixels you should check the iPod Atom box (3).
In the Picture Settings tab you can crop the picture so that it doesn't have black bars on top and at the bottom (1). This can be done automatically or you can select on your own how much the crop you want to be. Unfortunatelly there is no preview window to make it easier for you so you can just leave this option to Automatic or None if you want to preserve the balck bars. Another usefull setting is the Width and Height change (2). If you want to rip your movie to watch on your computer there is no need for that, but in case you want to watch it in a mobile device such as iPod or a mobile phone you can save very much space. If your video has noise you can remove it using the Denoise filter (3). Weak is good for general use. Too much denoising destroys the picture quality.
In the Video tab you can choose a 2-Pass Encoding with Turbo first pass (1). The encoding process will last longer but the final video will be of better quality. You can also select the Bitrate you want (2). The biggest the bitrate is the biggest the size of the final video will be. In case you want to store the video file to a cd you can select the Target Size (3). 700MB is ok for cds. With the Average Bitrate or Target Size methods, you control the size of the output file but give up control over the video's quality. Constant quality (4) mode does the opposite; you specify a quality level and HandBrake adjusts the bitrate (that is, the size) to meet it. Finally a few things about Video Framerate (5). You can leave it to Automatic. If the DVD is PAL, the output is set to 25fps. If the DVD is NTSC, the output is set to 30fps. If the DVD is NTSC and insists it is progressive, the output is set to 24fps.
In the Audio & Subtitles tab you can choose only your languages Audio Tracks (1), select Stereo, Mono, Dolby Surround Audio (2) depending on what you use. You can also adjust Audio Bitrate and Sample Rate (3). Dynamic Range compression (4) boosts the volume of soft sound samples while leaving loud samples as they are. This squeezes down the range between the softest and loudest parts, but should make the softer ones easier to hear in noisy listening environments. Good values to use are 1.5-2.5. Dynamic range compression only works when the source audio is AC3 and you are encoding to another format, like AAC. It has no affect on AC3 pass-through or on DTS or MPEG-2 audio. Finally select the Subtitles you want to be burned onto the picture (5).
HandBrake can include chapter markers when you use the MP4 or MKV file formats. These will be placed at the same point where the chapter breaks are on the DVD. Check the Create Chapter Markers box (1) to enable the feature. By default, the chapters are named "Chapter 1", "Chapter 2", etc. You can change their names by double clicking in the original names (2).
From the advanced tab you can manually select the H.264 options but you'd better know what you are doing here. If you don't just leave it alone since incorrect options will cause the encoder to fail.
When you are ready click the start button and wait till your final video is ready!
If you liked Handbreak and you want to give it a try for ripping your DVDs you can download it from here !
Please do not use the comment function to ask for help! If you need help, please use our guides forum .
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Ps3 and Iphone
I was wondering if you cold elaborate on a settings for PS3. I have a 40 inch 1080p and I want to use Handbrake to create a file (size doesnt matter) with the exact quality of the dvd, chapter bookmarks, and dobly or dts audio track for surround sound encoding that when moved to my PS3 I can play as if it was a dVD inserted into it. I tried TVersity and the quality sucked and I dont get good enough quality with the PS3 setting. Most DVDs are 16:9 but i do have some 4:3.
Thanks in advance
Jeff
Thanks in advance
Jeff
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October 04, 2008
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Hey Jeff.
To achieve better quality for PS3 select the PS3 Preset and then in the video settings tab select 2-Pass Encoding and Turbo first pPass. You can also set the Qonstant Quality to 100%. In the Audio tab you can select Dolby Surround from the Track 1 mix setting. In the Chapters tab select also to Create chapter markers. Most likely the encoding process will take more time to complete.
Try those settings and drop me a line about the output quality and video size.
Regards,
axel
To achieve better quality for PS3 select the PS3 Preset and then in the video settings tab select 2-Pass Encoding and Turbo first pPass. You can also set the Qonstant Quality to 100%. In the Audio tab you can select Dolby Surround from the Track 1 mix setting. In the Chapters tab select also to Create chapter markers. Most likely the encoding process will take more time to complete.
Try those settings and drop me a line about the output quality and video size.
Regards,
axel
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October 04, 2008
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i have a normal dvd9 and i want to upscale the video quality using handbrake ie i want to rip the dvd to a resolution bigger than the resolution of the source dvd9... so can handbrake help me in that.... ??
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October 15, 2008
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As far as I know handbrake cannot do that. In general upscaling a videos resolution is something difficult to be achieved. Only in movies it is really easy where a pc guy takes a bad image from a camera and increases its quality with a few clicks.
To sum up if you increase the resolution you will just increase the size of every pixel on the video with a bad quality effect.
To sum up if you increase the resolution you will just increase the size of every pixel on the video with a bad quality effect.
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October 18, 2008
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sounds pretty good to me
works really well!!!!!!!!!! i am glad i found this advice. 
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February 12, 2009
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I have tried a lot of my DVD's (both old and new) and they have all come up with the error message "No Title(s)found". These are all DVD's that I have purchased and I don't know why they will not open. What can I do?
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February 16, 2009
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Hi Carrmichael,
this is from HandBrake FAQ:
What does "No Title(s) found...." mean and how do I fix it?
It means that one of the following are the case:
a) You have not selected a valid input source. See the activity window (log) for further information.
b) You are trying to rip a copy protected disc without using a ripper. - Use a ripper, There are plenty available.
c) Either the disc protection scheme is too tough for your ripper of choice, or the disc is badly mastered. - The only option is to switch to a different ripper.
this is from HandBrake FAQ:
What does "No Title(s) found...." mean and how do I fix it?
It means that one of the following are the case:
a) You have not selected a valid input source. See the activity window (log) for further information.
b) You are trying to rip a copy protected disc without using a ripper. - Use a ripper, There are plenty available.
c) Either the disc protection scheme is too tough for your ripper of choice, or the disc is badly mastered. - The only option is to switch to a different ripper.
,
February 17, 2009
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copying dvds to psp useing handbrake
I am having troble coping my dvd's to sp using handbrake. I used DVD43 to bypass the ccs. I then encoded it with the defaults for psp, but when i transfered it said it was the wrong format. What handbake format options should i use for psp?
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February 24, 2009
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juwhm
I think it depends on the firmware version you have. Unfortunately I don't own a PSP so I can't tell you what options to use. You can take a look at the handbrake forum.
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February 24, 2009
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No subtitle in output file
Use HandBrake0.9.3 Win Gui version and OS is win xp.
Although i choice "Autoselect", "Forced Subtitles Only", "English","Chinese" etc, the output files all haven't subtitles.
How to solve the above problem???
Thank your for your help!!!
Although i choice "Autoselect", "Forced Subtitles Only", "English","Chinese" etc, the output files all haven't subtitles.
How to solve the above problem???
Thank your for your help!!!
,
March 27, 2009
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Subtitle hasn't changed to smaller size
Hi axel :
Your method is ok, the subtitle showed but its font size hasn't changed to smaller size then some subtitle words of 2 side(left and right hand sides)couldn't show.
How to slove the above problem? Could change the subtitles font size setting?
Thank you for your help!!!
Your method is ok, the subtitle showed but its font size hasn't changed to smaller size then some subtitle words of 2 side(left and right hand sides)couldn't show.
How to slove the above problem? Could change the subtitles font size setting?
Thank you for your help!!!
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March 28, 2009
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What Handbrake does is to take the subtitles which are stored as images in the DVD and "burn" them into the video. So there is no way to change their size.
A solution would be to convert only the video and download subtitles for this DVD from the Internet. Somewhere you will find the .srt file. If you reproduce the video in your computer most video players will automatically find the external .srt file as long as you have it in the same folder and with the same name as your video file.
If you still to hardcode the subtitle on the video wait a few days, I have a guide on this subject waiting to be published.
A solution would be to convert only the video and download subtitles for this DVD from the Internet. Somewhere you will find the .srt file. If you reproduce the video in your computer most video players will automatically find the external .srt file as long as you have it in the same folder and with the same name as your video file.
If you still to hardcode the subtitle on the video wait a few days, I have a guide on this subject waiting to be published.
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March 28, 2009
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PS3 setting
Axel,
I followed your suggestions and having the constant quality = 100% ( in .93 version this disables the 2 pass conversion with Turbo first pass) and I got a 9gig file for a DVD9 ripped movie. Running it at 1280 kbps rate to see what I get, I heard some suggest 5000 kbps.
Thanks
Jeff
I followed your suggestions and having the constant quality = 100% ( in .93 version this disables the 2 pass conversion with Turbo first pass) and I got a 9gig file for a DVD9 ripped movie. Running it at 1280 kbps rate to see what I get, I heard some suggest 5000 kbps.
Thanks
Jeff
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April 02, 2009
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Hi Jeff, I think you should better use the Target Size option to rip your movies. This way you won't have too large video files. For a 2h movie 700MB should be ok.
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April 04, 2009
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So..when you rip DVDs using Handbrake..can you not get the DVD menu on the DVD if you copy it? The chapters all broke where they were supposed to but there is no DVD menu that I can go to to select which chapter I want to watch.
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August 03, 2009
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No you can't copy the DVD menu since it's not video but "special software" that runs in your DVD player.
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August 06, 2009
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High Quality
Hey Axel,
I have backed up all my DVD's onto 9TB of storage and want to reduce it as my DVD collection is growing and I do not want to purchase any more HD's because they are getting too expensive so I want to convert everything to H.264.
Now, how do I convert my video files which consist of .iso and video_ts to H.264 in such a way that I do not loose any audio or video quality so they are the same as my original DVD? What settings do I use. Thank you.
I have backed up all my DVD's onto 9TB of storage and want to reduce it as my DVD collection is growing and I do not want to purchase any more HD's because they are getting too expensive so I want to convert everything to H.264.
Now, how do I convert my video files which consist of .iso and video_ts to H.264 in such a way that I do not loose any audio or video quality so they are the same as my original DVD? What settings do I use. Thank you.
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August 11, 2009
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Once i've put in what i want it to irp, it comes up with 'The CLI is about to read your source... This process can take up o a minute'
well its been about 8 minutes and why is it taaking so! long!!!?
well its been about 8 minutes and why is it taaking so! long!!!?
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October 28, 2009
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Are you using Windows and the DVD is encrypted? If so Handbrake can't handle it.
http://trac.handbrake.fr/wiki/WindowsGuiGuide
First things first. Handbrake on the Windows Platform does NOT decrypt Commercial DVDs. Let me repeat this. It does NOT decrypt commercial DVDs.
Third-party software is required for this part of the process. (e.g. AnyDVD, DVD43 or DVD Decryptor)
(Note: Please note that these applications are not legal in many countries. You should consult the law in your own country before using these applications. We do not provide support for 3rd party applications!)
http://trac.handbrake.fr/wiki/WindowsGuiGuide
First things first. Handbrake on the Windows Platform does NOT decrypt Commercial DVDs. Let me repeat this. It does NOT decrypt commercial DVDs.
Third-party software is required for this part of the process. (e.g. AnyDVD, DVD43 or DVD Decryptor)
(Note: Please note that these applications are not legal in many countries. You should consult the law in your own country before using these applications. We do not provide support for 3rd party applications!)
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October 29, 2009
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Great program...three questions....
Hi,
This program(after a few trial experiments) works really good.
I tried the 0.9.4 version back last year, but never could get it
to work. I tried to find a newer version, but it seems that the
version I have is the most current.
I tried ripping a commercial DVD to H.264 mkv, but the only
presets were 'Apple', 'Regular', and 'Legacy', there was no
'High Profile' or 'Constant Quality Rate' options listed.
So, as an experiment, I clicked the 'Add' button under the
presets box, and typed in 'Constant Quality Rate', and it took it!
Handbrake took my de-crypted DVD and encoded it into 1.35GB file
just fine. The video and audio quality are fantastic...the same,
if not slightly better than the original.
I have just three questions:
1)why doesn't my handbrake show all the presets as listed in the
screen shots in this post? Does one have to 'add' them, as I did
with the 'Constant Quality Rate'?
2) Are there settings(video filters?, Video tab settings?, Advanced
tab settings?), that would give an even better quality picture?
I don't mind larger file sizes, even 3-4GB. I realize that you can't
really upscale a 720X480 picture(you only have that many pixels to work
with), but there might be settings to make the converted video LOOK
better.
3) Does handbrake work with de-crypted blue-ray files?
Thanks!
This program(after a few trial experiments) works really good.
I tried the 0.9.4 version back last year, but never could get it
to work. I tried to find a newer version, but it seems that the
version I have is the most current.
I tried ripping a commercial DVD to H.264 mkv, but the only
presets were 'Apple', 'Regular', and 'Legacy', there was no
'High Profile' or 'Constant Quality Rate' options listed.
So, as an experiment, I clicked the 'Add' button under the
presets box, and typed in 'Constant Quality Rate', and it took it!
Handbrake took my de-crypted DVD and encoded it into 1.35GB file
just fine. The video and audio quality are fantastic...the same,
if not slightly better than the original.
I have just three questions:
1)why doesn't my handbrake show all the presets as listed in the
screen shots in this post? Does one have to 'add' them, as I did
with the 'Constant Quality Rate'?
2) Are there settings(video filters?, Video tab settings?, Advanced
tab settings?), that would give an even better quality picture?
I don't mind larger file sizes, even 3-4GB. I realize that you can't
really upscale a 720X480 picture(you only have that many pixels to work
with), but there might be settings to make the converted video LOOK
better.
3) Does handbrake work with de-crypted blue-ray files?
Thanks!
,
July 25, 2010
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