When you have multiple video files, you can use HandBrake to batch convert them. It is simple and easy. Here’s how to do it in simple steps.
HandBrake is one of my favorite software when it comes to converting or transcoding video files. The best thing about HandBrake is that it has so many options to customize the way you transcode video files. You can add subtitles, remove black bars, change resolution, sync audio, create filters, and much more. All this with a simple and easy to use user interface where all the options are front and center in a non-cluttered way.
Using HandBrake, converting individual video files is nothing hard. All you have to do is drag and drop the file, select appropriate options and click on the Start Encode button. However, when you want to convert multiple files with HandBrake, you cannot drag and drop those files. The procedure is a bit different. As such, it can be a bit confusing. This is especially true if you’ve never used HandBrake.
So, let me show how you can batch convert files in HandBrake in a simple to follow steps.
Convert Multiple Files in HandBrake (Batch Conversion)
Though the process is a bit different for batch conversion in HandBrake, it is rather simple.
Before proceeding, put all the video files that you’d like to convert into a single folder.
1. First, open HandBrake by searching for it in the start menu. After opening, click on the “Folder (Batch Scan)” option.
2. In the new window, go to the folder that contains all the video files you’d like to convert, select it and click on the “Select Folder” button.
3. As soon as you click the button, HandBrake will import all the video files in that specific folder.
After importing, select all the required options like resolution, dimensions, etc., for the conversion. These settings will be applied to all videos files you imported. In my case, the default conversion settings are pretty good. So, I’m letting them be.
4. Before you can go any further, you need to set the default destination folder and enable automatic title functionality. Otherwise, HandBrake will throw errors when you try to convert the files. To set the default destination folder, click on the “Tools → Preferences” option.
5. Here, go to the “Output Files” tab. Now, click on the “Browse” button next to the Default Path field.
6. Now, select a folder where you’d like to save the converted files and click on the “Select Folder” button.
7. The above action will add the folder path in the blank field. In the same window, make sure that the “Automatically name the output files” checkbox is checked. Click on the “Back” button to go back to the main window. The Settings are automatically saved.
8. Now, click on the little down arrow next to the “Add to Queue” button and select the “Add all” option.
9. You might see a warning message about subtitles. Click on the “Yes” button to continue.
10. The above action will add all the imported video files to the queue. You can see the number of files queued files next to the “Queue” button on the top navigation menu.
11. If you want to see all the queued files, click on the “Queue” button. It will open a new window with a list of all the queued videos files for conversion.
12. In the main window, click on the “Start Queue” button to start the batch conversion process.
13. Once the conversion process has started, you can see the current progress and number of pending conversions in the bottom information bar.
14. After completing the jobs, you will see the “Queue Finished” message in the bottom bar.
15. All the converted files are saved in the default destination folder you chose earlier.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, though the procedure is a bit different, it is still easy to follow. Not to mention, once you queue all the files, you can simply minimize the application and do your work as usual.
Depending on the number of files and your conversion settings, it can take some time to complete. If you want to use your system while HandBrake is running in the background, I recommend you follow my other guide which shows how to reduce HandBrake CPU usage.
Hope that helps. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try to help as much as possible.
unfortunately – It does not keep all the settings for the first file across all files.
my audio settings had to be done one at a time.
Saved me lots of time. Good article.