HandBrake is an open-source video transcoder available for Linux, Mac, and Windows. It is a free, post-production tool whose primary function is to convert videos from supported source formats into new files that work on nearly any modern device, including mobile phones, tablets, TVs, game consoles, computers, and web browsers.

The principal functionalities of HandBrake are:

Core Conversion and Output

• Video Conversion: HandBrake converts nearly any video file or format (including files from consumer cameras, professional cameras, mobile devices, and DVD/Blu-ray discs).

• Output Formats: The tool creates new video files specifically in MP4, MKV, or WebM formats.

• Size Reduction: It can make videos that are smaller than the originals, reducing the required storage space on a device.

• Leveraged Tools: It leverages tools such as FFmpeg libavcodec and libavformat libraries, x264, x265, and svt-av1 to create new files.

Video Enhancement and Customization

• Cropping and Resizing: Users can crop and resize video.

• Restoration: It can restore old and low-quality video.

• Artifact Removal: It can remove combing artifacts caused by interlacing and telecine.

Audio and Subtitle Management

• Audio Pass-through: It can pass-through audio without conversion for certain audio types.

• Audio Downmixing: It can downmix discrete surround sound to matrixed surround or stereo.

• Audio Adjustment: It allows users to adjust audio volume levels and dynamic range for certain audio types.

• Subtitles: It can preserve existing subtitles and add or remove soft subtitles (subtitles stored as text).

Limitations (What HandBrake does not do)

It is important to note that HandBrake does not:

• Combine multiple video clips into one.

• Pass-through video without conversion (video is always converted).

• Create Blu-ray, AVCHD, or DVD discs.

• Defeat or circumvent copy protection (DRM). It will not work with copy-protected content from services like iTunes, Amazon Video, or Netflix, or many commercial DVD and Blu-ray discs.