Convert/Batch Convert to another file type

Convert a Variable Frame Rate file to a

Constant Frame Rate File

Introduction

Handbrake is a program which can be used to transcode files from one format to another. It cannot “smart-render” files. For example, it is useful for converting variable frame rate files to constant frame rate files, which may work better in video editing programs. Handbrake is a quite powerful program with many features. This guide covers only the basics and some common scenarios.

Installation

Download Handbrake from the VideoHelp website here. It is available in installer form and portable form. The Portable form allows you to run it without installing it on your computer. Once installed, go to Tools>Preferences>Output files and set the output format to Always use MP4, as shown here:

Convert/Batch Convert a file to another

format

While Handbrake cannot “smart-render” or “smart- transcode” files, it can re-encode all manner of files into almost any other file type, including in batches. This makes it very easy to transcode a number of files in one go. It also works the CPU hard so that transcodes are generally quite fast. The process is as follows: Start Handbrake, open the file or use the Folder (batch scan) option and set up the tabs like this:

Summary Tab

Format: Set to MP4 (or as desired). Remember that the “MP4” is merely the “container”; the underlying codecs eg H264 will be set later. Save As: Click the Browse button to set the output folder. For single encodes, you can change the file name.

Dimensions Tab

Note: these settings are for a square-pixel output of 768x576 (which, in effect, is 4:3). You can change the dimensions to suit your files. You can set cropping and Borders as you so desire.

Filters Tab

Handbrake has various filters you can apply, depending on the nature of your source file and what your exported file will be. In this case, I have switched Deinterlacing Off. The Handbrake de- interlacer isn’t the Rolls Royce of deinterlacers but does the job. BWDIF+Bob is, I understand, the best from the selections available in Handbrake.

Video Tab

Video Encoder: set as desired. H264 is a well- known and common codec that can be read by almost every video playback device there is. There are options for using your GPU in the droplist eg H264(NVEnc) if you have a good NVidia GPU. I have read that H265 has better compression/quality than H264 at lower bitrates and is also widely used. Framerate (FPS): set this to the frame rate of your source file (MediaInfo or Windows Properties>Details) and set to Constant for best compatibility with video editors. Quality: You can use either CRF, where lower numbers are better (for ~768x576 (SD), 18 is a good all-round quality) or Avg Bitrate (6000 is a good all-round bitrate for SD). If using Avg Bitrate, tick Multi-pass and Turbo.

Audio Tab

A good all-round audio codec is AAC at 192 bitrate. I use 48khz for the sample rate for compatibility with my editor. Finally, if doing a batch run, add all the files to the Queue by clicking Add to Queue down-arrow and choosing Add All. You can remove files from the queue by clicking on the Queue button. And that’s it. At the top, click Start Queue (or Encode) and Handbrake will encode your files into the new format.

Convert a Variable Frame Rate file to a

Constant Frame Rate File

Open the file Set up the filters tab as follows: Set up the Video tab as follows. The critical change is to select Constant framerate. The MediaInfo report will show the “Framerate” value to be set in Handbrake (not the Max or Min values). In this example I have chosen average bitrate and increased the bitrate to minimise generational quality loss due to the re-encoding. The file’s original bitrate can also be found in the MediaInfo report. If desired, the codec can also be changed, for example in the case where the video is HEVC/H265 or VP9 and needs to be changed to H264/AVC for editing. Finally set up the Audio tab as follows. I’ve changed the sample rate from 44.1 to 48(khz). Now you’re ready to save your file in the new format. At the bottom of the screen, Browse to the desired save location, set a name, and then hit Start Encode. Hopefully, the resulting file will stay in sync in your video editor.