Handbrake

 HandBrake

 Basic Information

A tool for converting video from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported codecs.

Primary Use:

• [General] Convert video from nearly any format
• [Faculty] Presentation, Lesson, Project
• [Students] Projects, Tutorials, Presentation

Key Features:

• Handbrake can process most common multimedia files and any DVD or BluRay sources that do not contain any kind of copy protection.
• Title / chapter and range selection
• Subtitles (VobSub, Closed Captions CEA-608, SSA, SRT)
• Constant Quality or Average Bitrate Video Encoding
• Video Filters: Deinterlacing, Decomb, Denoise, Detelecine, Deblock, Grayscale, Cropping and scaling
• Live Static and Video Preview
• Batch Scan and Queueing of encodes
• Users are able to customize the output by altering the bit rate, maximum file size or bit rate and sample rate via “constant quality”.
• HandBrake also supports deinterlacing, decombing, scaling, detelecine, and cropping (both automatic and manual).

 
Batch Convert Videos In Bulk

Category: Video/Screencasting Tool

Keywords: Video Converter, Video Cropping, Video Filters

 Detailed Information

Full Description:

HandBrake is a video converter program intended to both rip and convert video files to work on a number of supported devices. The features of this converter are easy enough to understand. An advanced computer user will most likely be able to use HandBrake for its full purpose, but a user who knows the basics should be able to figure out how to work through the main steps. You simply have to have a file or DVD to work with, and HandBrake will help with some of the less obvious steps by indicating the missing information that needs to be inserted. It took a couple tries to correctly convert a 15-minute video file the first time. It seemed to shut down without finishing, but eventually it worked. That took about 40 minutes to finish converting and encoding. Time results will obviously vary depending on the file size. DVD ripping seems to work fine and the time varies here as well, depending on the DVD length. It didn’t take long to download, and the installation process was very simple. There weren’t any extra downloads or offers hidden within the installation process, and you’ll find that setting this is easy.

Tool Access

To access the tool online or for a related download link (if available) please see sources below:

• Download with your PC or Laptop

Advantage/ Disadvantage:

It’s not one for beginners, but this is an undeniably powerful tool that can handle just about any video you care to throw at it. One of the major pros of Handbrake is that it is open source and free for download. It gives advanced control to users when converting videos like setting the width, height, codec, framerate, etc. according to the user. Handbrake can also process BluRays. It offers presets for Android and iOS which makes it easier for the user to set the settings according to the device which he/she has. However, Handbrake can be challenging for a beginner to use because all the advanced settings can confuse the user. The Graphical User Interface is not so easy. To conclude, Handbrake is a powerful tool that you can get for free. It gives complete control to the user in converting the videos. So, the beginners might struggle with it initially. But, it is a great alternative for paid software applications that do the same job.

Good for Teaching:

Handbrake is a great software to allow you to compress and reformat video for your mobile device, computer, and web options. It does not compress or rip encrypted video but for creative video projects it is a great way to share personal or instructional videos. Handbrake does come with some presets for Apple and Android mobile devices and web sharing. Target audience would be grades six and up that require video media in their projects that need to be shared via web or mobile device.

Good for Learning:

Its layout is functional, rather than attractive, so there are many options. Everything is clearly laid out, but it’s trickier to use than some other applications. The settings include all the basics, as well as options for advanced users. There is detailed pop-up text for all the controls and you can safely ignore anything you aren’t comfortable playing with. When you add a video, a tabbed display appears showing you information about the video, audio and dimensions. There is a subtitle tab that enables you to add your own tracks and view what is there already. A chapter tab lets you create and name chapters, which is useful if you want to make a DVD. HandBrake offers several filters, such as sharpening, denoise, deinterlace and grayscale, if you want to refine your output further.

  Reviews [For Future Use]

Public and Internal reviews on the quality of the tool and ease of use to learn/ implement.

 Learning Expectation [For Future Use]

General guidelines of how long it typically takes to learn and be comfortable (basic, advanced, expert levels) with the tool as well as what capabilities users have at each level.

• Level of difficulty to learn/ use for each level:
  • Basic  Use/ substitution: 2-4 hours of use
    • General familiarity with the tool
    • Ability to import documents in from MS Word or Powerpoint
    • Ability to create a simple document and share
  • Advanced Use/ augmentation: 20- 30 hours of use
    • General comfort with the tool
    • Ability to make a presentation from scratch including text, graphics, video, and with basic thoughts on style.
  • Expert use/ transformative (modification / redefinition): 40+ hours of use
    • Complete comfort with the tool
    • Ability to offer advice and guidance to others on the tool
    • Ability to use the tool for various design purposes: presentation, booklet, ePortofolio…
    • Understanding of layout, style (font, colors, themes) to meet end users needs

 Examples

 Tutorial Guides

 Templates

To learn from other faculty or to share your thoughts or resources (e.g. templates) please see below:

• Comments (either blog style or discussion based)
• Upload their examples/ samples (ability to post information in form)
  • Form components: (For future form)
    • Name
  • • Submission type ( Examples, Guides, Lessons, Templates, Reference Link)
  • • Title
  • • Purposes/ Uses
  • • Description (optional)
    • Attachment – Upload or Link
  • Date and Time Uploaded
  • Contact Information (hidden)
  • Download Stats
  • Rating Stats

 Reference

The key resources used to make this resource page. Most all information is public except for specific TCS generated resources. For more examples and resources (e.g. guides, templates, etc) see below:

• Cnet
• Techulator
• Wikipedia
• G2
• Techradar