Opening a video

In HandBrake terms, the original video you already have is called the Source. One of HandBrake’s strengths is its ability to open Sources in a wide variety of video formats, including but not limited to:

• Videos made by mobile phones, tablets, and many video cameras and DSLRs
• Screen and game recordings, web videos, video editing projects¹, and other computer-related sources
• Professional video production formats including ProRes and DNxHD
• DVD, Blu-ray, AVCHD/AVCHD Lite², and HD-DVD³ discs or disc backups
• Broadcast TV recordings
• Digital recordings of VHS, Beta, Video8/Hi8, LaserDisc, and other analog sources

Learn more about source formats.

Note: HandBrake does not defeat or circumvent copy protection of any kind. It does not work with video files employing Digital Rights Management (DRM). See About HandBrake for more information about what HandBrake does and does not.

Using the Open Source dialog

At the top of HandBrake’s main window, you’ll see a toolbar with various buttons.

Select the Open Source button to select the video you want to open.

Dragging and dropping

You can also drag and drop a video Source onto HandBrake’s main window.

Next steps

Great! At this point, HandBrake knows which video you want to use.

If HandBrake didn’t open your video as as expected or you had some other trouble, you can continue reading to learn more about how HandBrake works or jump right to Getting help.

Continue to Selecting a preset.