HandBrake

HandBrake is a free, open-source video transcoder for converting existing media into formats suitable for playback, distribution, editing or preservation. This cask installs the Mac graphical application; it is distinct from the command-line HandBrake formula and does not provide a general-purpose timeline video editor.

Features

• Convert supported media files and unprotected DVD or Blu-ray sources.
• Use presets or choose codecs, dimensions, frame rates and quality settings.
• Create common containers including MP4, MKV and WebM, with MOV added in 1.11.
• Encode using supported software codecs or hardware encoders available on your system.
• Choose audio tracks, encoding or compatible passthrough, and manage subtitles.
• Apply cropping, scaling and supported video filters.
• Preview settings and queue multiple jobs for batch processing.

Install and transcode

Install with brew install --cask handbrake-app, or download the official Mac DMG and move HandBrake.app into Applications. The cask's old token was handbrake; the current graphical-app token is handbrake-app. The captured cask declares no additional formula dependency or explicit conflicting cask.

Open a source file or supported unprotected disc structure, choose a suitable preset, select a destination and review video, audio and subtitle settings. Encode a short representative sample first and compare quality, file size and playback compatibility before queuing a large batch. Keep the original media and choose a separate output destination. Transcoding normally re-encodes video and can lose information; a smaller file is not automatically equivalent to its source.

Allow macOS access to the source and destination folders you intentionally use. Check available storage, keep jobs out of the queue before upgrading, and back up custom presets and preferences because newer versions may change compatibility. Queued encodes and actual output-file deletion are separate operations; inspect files before removing them.

Codecs and hardware

HandBrake offers software and hardware encoding paths. On Mac, supported VideoToolbox encoders depend on the hardware, OS and selected codec; Intel QSV, NVIDIA NVENC and AMD VCN features documented for other platforms are not automatically available on every Mac. Hardware encoding can improve throughput but can differ from CPU encoding in quality, supported settings and file size. No universal speed or compression-ratio guarantee is made.

Codec and container are separate choices. Confirm that the playback device or editing application supports the selected codec, container, audio layout and subtitles. HDR metadata, subtitle burn-in, passthrough and advanced options have format-specific limits. The 1.11 release adds production DNxHR and ProRes workflows, but HandBrake remains a transcoder rather than a complete editing suite.

Sources and copy protection

HandBrake explicitly does not defeat or circumvent copy protection. Supported disc sources must be accessible and unprotected. libdvdcss is a separate third-party library, not included with HandBrake and not an officially supported HandBrake dependency or built-in DVD decryption feature. A disc that cannot be read because it is protected is not a promise that changing an encoder preset will fix it. Use media you are authorized to process and respect the applicable rights and terms.

Mac support and resources

HandBrake provides a Universal Mac application with native Intel and Apple Silicon support. Its current support table lists macOS 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia and 26 Tahoe as supported; Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur and older systems are deprecated or unsupported as specified in that table. Historical compatibility rows and the cask platform list should not be read as a guarantee of current support on every old OS. Windows and Linux use separate packages; the Windows .NET runtime requirement is not a Mac prerequisite.

The current 1.11.2 DMG is 47,978,117 bytes, confirmed by official download HTTP metadata. Download size differs from installed usage. The current requirements documentation recommends 16 GB memory for standard/HD video and 32 GB for 4K, lists 150 MB for the application and a minimum 1280×960 display, with additional space needed for source/output media. Those workload recommendations are not promises that every codec or source fits them; filter-heavy and high-resolution jobs can require more resources and time.

Local transcoding works offline once media is available. Network access is needed for downloads, updates and remote media access. The application does not require an online account to convert local files. Keep updates current and review release notes for encoder/library and Mac-specific fixes.

Price and license

HandBrake is free software under GNU GPL version 2, with bundled third-party libraries retaining their applicable licenses. No purchase, subscription or account is required for basic use. Donations are optional. Separate media services, codecs or external applications can have their own licensing conditions; installing HandBrake does not grant rights to redistribute media.

Sources: Official project, Features, System requirements, Supported sources, Official releases.