Converting video files into different formats can be an ordeal of sorts. There are a bunch of ‘free’ applications out there purporting to convert videos, but these are actually infested with malware, viruses and crapware. Finding suitable software for converting videos can be very tricky; you have the option to buy expensive applications which obviously isn’t something most of us would consider. But here I’ve for you a free solution that works: Handbrake is an open-source freeware solution available for Windows, Mac OS X & Linux which can convert your videos into any popular format. Instructions are given below on how to use it:

Step 1) Download Handbrake from this URL for your respective OS and install it: https://handbrake.fr/downloads.php

Step 2) After successfully installing it, open Handbrake and you will be greeted with this screenshot:

Step 3) For example; we will use an .MKV file used in high definition video rips to convert it into an .Mp4 a hugely popular format to play videos on most smartphones and tablets. From the menu, Open the ‘Source’ button and select ‘Open File’ from the choices available.

Step 4) A window will pop up, prompting you to select the source file i.e. a .MKV where it is located in the directory:

Step 5) For this conversion; there will be no tinkering with the output settings. Now; you have to name and select the directory to where the converted .Mp4 file will be saved:

Step 6) Click ‘Browse’ on the file destination option, select the directory to where the converted file is to be saved and name it as you wish to:

Step 7) Turning back to the Handbrake main menu, click on ‘Start’ to initiate the transcoding process. The speed and time of the conversion is dependent on the speed and specs of your laptop or PC. It can take from a few minutes to a few hours for the transcoding process to complete, depending on the length of the video being converted.

05.72%, FPS: 029.9, Avg FPS: 025.8, Time Remaining: 00: 00: 18:43, Elapsed: 00:01:09, Pending Jobs 0

Step 8) Once the conversion has successfully occurred; you can play the video on any popular smartphone, tablet or media player of your liking on your computer.

Handbrake is a very powerful software, capable of converting DVD’s too and many other popular file formats on the fly. It has a variety of features at its disposal, which are beyond the scope of this article.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, May 10th, 2015

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