How to use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality

Convert videos without losing quality It has long been a priority for audiovisual content creators. The same is true for those who prefer to download and store videos and movies for offline viewing. While many tools exist to achieve this, today we'll talk about one that continues to be a strong contender: Handbrake. How can you use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality? Let's get started.

What is Handbrake and what advantages does it offer?

Programs to convert videos There are many and varied options, but few do it without losing file quality. In this respect, Handbrake has established itself as one of the most reliable and effective tools To achieve this. If you haven't tried it yet, this post will answer all your questions so you can start using it right away.

Why use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality? Because it offers many advantages. To begin with, Handbrake is multi platform, So you can use it on Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. Secondly, it's free and open sourceAd-free, safe, and reliable. It also features pre-configured profiles for beginners, and advanced options for more expert users.

But what people like most about this utility is its power to convert and compress, and its compatibility It supports various popular formats. It also supports modern codecs, such as H.264 (ACV) and H.265 (HEVC). Furthermore, it allows you to add subtitles and audio tracks; trim, scale, and filter the video; and optimize it for viewing on other devices (mobile phones, YouTube, etc.).

How to use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality

If you want to use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality, the first thing you need to do is download it from the HandBrake official websiteThere, select the version for your operating system and complete the installation. When you open the program, you will see a Clean interface, easy to understand and start using.

Next, you need to upload the video you want to convert. To do this, click on the button. Open Source Select the video from your Downloads, Video, etc. folder. Handbrake will then scan the file and display the main interface. This is where the magic begins.

Election of the Preset or Preset Settings

As we mentioned, using Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality is easy, even for beginners. This is thanks to the tool's built-in features. preconfigured profiles for different devices and situations (Apple TV, Android, Web, etc.). You can see them on the right side of the interface, in the option Preset.

Here's our first recommendation: if your priority is quality, You can start with these two presets, depending on the video resolution:

• Fast 1080p30 or Super HQ 1080p30Use this preset if your source is 1080p. The "Super HQ" option guarantees output quality at the cost of slower encoding.
• Fast 4K30 or Super HQ 4K30Ideal if you're working with 4K material.

Both presets They provide an excellent foundation to start from, since They configure key parameters optimallyFrom here, you just need to make fine adjustments to a couple of tabs.

Value settings in the tab Institutional

The following parameters that we're going to configure are in the Video tab. The first and most important one has to do with the compression codec, o video encoderThis element compresses the file data to take up less space without any perceptible loss of quality during playback. The main options are:

• H.264 (x264)It's the most compatible and works on virtually any device, from mobile phones to older TVs. It's a safe and high-quality option.
• H.265 (x265)Also known as HEVC. It's much more efficient, meaning it can achieve the same quality as H.264 with a file up to 50% smaller. Perfect for compressing 4K files and saving space. The only downside is that it takes longer to compress, and it may not be compatible with very old devices.

So, if you're going to play the file on modern devices, H.265 is the best option. However, if you want the resulting file to be playable on almost any device, H.264 is the better choice.

Just below Video Encoder is the option Frame ratewith a drop-down menu and several values ​​to choose from. At this point, it's best to select the value Same as the source (same of sourceThis prevents tears and other visual imperfections from occurring during playback. For the same reasons, please check the box. Constant frame rate.

Use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality: FR Scale

There's one more detail in the Video tab that will help you use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality. It has to do with the box Constant QualityThis setting is selected by default. It's best to leave it as is so the encoder maintains a specific quality level. This will cause the bitrate (the amount of data processed per second) to vary according to the complexity of the scene, eliminating unnecessary data.

You will also see a slippery control which uses a Rate Factor (RF) scale. A lower RF number means higher quality and a larger file size. Conversely, a lower number means lower quality in a smaller file size. Here are the recommended values:

• For H.264: An RF between 18 and 22 is excellent for 1080p. For 4K, you can try between 20 and 24.
• For H.265: Due to its greater efficiency, you can use a slightly higher RF value to achieve the same quality. Try between 20 and 24 for 1080p and 22-26 for 4K.

This feature is one of the most important when using Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality. This way, the program ensures that the visual quality remains consistent. To achieve this, allocates more bits to complex scenes (like a moving crowd) and even less so to simple scenes (a smooth surface).

Don't neglect audio quality

Using Hadbrake to convert videos without losing quality also means taking care of the audio quality. Remember that a high-quality video... With poor quality compressed audio, it offers a very poor experience.The Audio tab can help you fine-tune details so that the result is completely acceptable.

Open the Audio tab and double-click on the video's audio track to view the settings options. Once there, verify that the audio codec is AACA highly compatible and efficient codec. In the Bitrate option, select one higher than 192 kbps256 kbps or even 320 kbps. Increasing the quality in this way only slightly increases the overall file size.

That is all. You can leave all other settings as they are.As you gain experience, you'll be able to experiment more with the various options available. With the settings we've outlined, you're now ready to use Handbrake to convert videos without losing quality.