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Get those DVDs onto your iPhone or Mac

HandBrake is one of those applications that we adore here at TUAW HQ. It makes converting DVDs into a variety of digital files a snap (though only use it with DVDs you own. Don't be pirates, kids). Chris Breen, of Macworld fame (and an amateur astronomer it would seem) shows us how to use HandBrake like a pro. Breen goes a step beyond 'use the presets' and delves into what many of the options HandBrake offers up actually do, and how they impact your files.

Check out the video, and get to ripping your DVDs!


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Multimedia Software Video

HandBrake is one of those applications that we adore here at TUAW HQ. It makes converting DVDs into a variety of digital files a snap...
 

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Eric

Help! has never been released on DVD... it has to be a bootleg.

A Hard Day's Night is the only authorised Beatle movie available right now.

December 29 2007 at 12:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Eric's comment
Brian

I thought "Help!" was released in the US last month...

December 29 2007 at 1:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris Breen

Brian's right, the DVD of Help! was finally released last month, in both a standard edition and a (very expensive) deluxe edition.

December 29 2007 at 5:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Chris

I want that Help! dvd Scott has. Yes, I am a Beatles nut.

December 29 2007 at 7:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
homan2

Handbrake is great for getting your DVDs on to your Mac, and I agree with the above posters, VisualHub is the BEST way to get them (and any other random video torrents that were, of course, legally acquired) onto your iPhone/Touch/Apple TV.

Being able to watch Grandma's Boy on your phone while sitting on the tarmac is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

December 28 2007 at 7:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Simon Arch

"Don't be pirates, kids"

Well the MPAA might claim using Handbrake at all would be piracy. I say go nuts. Don't DISTRIBUTE, but copy anything you can get your hands on. The MPAA and RIAA are trying to tell us that sharing media is Wrongâ„¢, but we've been sharing media for YEARS. We're USED to being liberal with our media. I've shared (and taped) hundreds of CDs with my friends over the course of my adult life, but according to the RIAA, that's stealing. They've been lax all these years and suddenly the ability to share has made a huge leap forward in both speed and quality and NOW they're crying foul? Too late, guys. We're moving forward despite your wish to anchor us in your technological stone age.

December 28 2007 at 7:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Simon Arch's comment
Galley

Interestingly, one of the presets in Visual Hub is "go nuts!".

December 29 2007 at 9:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JR

I prefer VisualHub, even though it isn't free.. Never a problem.

December 28 2007 at 7:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John Doe

Handbrake makes great videos for my archos 605... a great tool if you have netflix...

December 28 2007 at 6:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
robogobo

Handbrake is great, been using it for a few years. However, to really get some powerful features, take the advice at the end of each rip and try Visual Hub. It's great x10

December 28 2007 at 6:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Max

I use this app all the time, love it.
I use a modified version of the ipod hi-quality setting, with 750kbps average bitrate and 2 pass encoding. Looks good on an iPod and on a TV.

December 28 2007 at 6:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
James Creedon

Although I am first, I cede my claim to the next individual to post. That said, I've found Handbrake to be an incredibly useful app. However, the times I've used its iPhone settings, it hasn't formatted the video quite right. It seems to be eliminating too much detail in the video. Anyone else have this problem?

December 28 2007 at 5:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to James Creedon's comment
Nick

Never had this problem. Aren't you just a little bit gutted. ;)

December 28 2007 at 5:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
James Creedon

First again?

December 28 2007 at 5:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to James Creedon's comment
chris

Nobody cares if you're first to comment, stop posting. You look like an idiot.

December 28 2007 at 5:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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