--- Type: article State: [ obsolete ] Title: Opening a video source Project: HandBrake Project_URL: https://handbrake.fr/ Project_Version: 1.6.0 Language: English Language_Code: en Authors: [ Bradley Sepos (BradleyS) ] Copyright: 2023 HandBrake Team License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License_Abbr: CC BY-SA 4.0 License_URL: https://handbrake.fr/docs/license.html --- Opening a video source ====================== Once you've [downloaded and installed HandBrake](../get-handbrake/download-and-install.html), it's time to open a video for encoding. ## About sources In HandBrake terms, the 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 projects[^consumer-editor-export], and other computer-related sources - Professional video production formats including ProRes and DNxHD - DVD, Blu-ray, AVCHD/AVCHD Lite[^avchd-partial-support], and HD-DVD[^hddvd-partial-support] discs or disc backups - Broadcast TV recordings - Digital recordings of VHS, Beta, Video8/Hi8, LaserDisc, and other analog sources You can learn more about [Source formats](../technical/source-formats.html) in the technical documentation. **Note:** HandBrake does not defeat or circumvent [copy protection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copy_protection) of any kind. It does not work with video files employing [[DRM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management)](abbr:Digital Rights Management). See [About HandBrake](../introduction/about.html) for more information about what HandBrake *does* and *does not*. ## Ways to open a video source By default, HandBrake presents the `Open Source` dialog on launch. It is also accessible from the `Toolbar` at the top of HandBrake's main window. ![Main window toolbar](../../images/mac/toolbar-1.1.0.png "The Toolbar provides easy access to HandBrake's most common functions.") Select the `Open Source` button to select the video you want to open. You can also drag and drop a video `Source` onto HandBrake's main window. ![Open Source dialog](../../images/mac/open-source-dialog-1.1.0.png "The Open Source dialog allows you to browse your files for a video to open.") ![Opening a video source via drag and drop](../../images/mac/open-source-drag-drop-1.1.0.png "In addition to the Open Source dialog, you may also open a video by dragging it to HandBrake's main window.") HandBrake will scan your selection and after a few moments, the main window will show the file name of the `Source` you opened along with some additional information. ![Successfully opened source](../../images/mac/open-source-success-1.1.0.png "HandBrake's main window after sucessfully opening a source.") Some `Sources` may contain more than one video clip, or a collection of `Titles`. Blu-ray and DVD `Sources` often have multiple `Titles`. Use HandBrake's `Title` control to select which video clip you want to use. ![Selecting a title](../../images/mac/title-selection-1.1.0.png "Some sources may contain more than one video clip. The title control lets you select which video clip you want to use.") Great! At this point, HandBrake knows which video you want to use. ## Next steps Continue to [Selecting a preset](select-preset.html). 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 [Troubleshooting common issues](../help/troubleshooting-common-issues.html). [^consumer-editor-export]: Videos made using consumer video editing software such as [iMovie](https://www.apple.com/mac/imovie/) must first be exported to a common video format for compatibility with HandBrake. [^avchd-partial-support]: AVCHD and AVCHD Lite playlists are not fully supported. Individual files/streams may work. [^hddvd-partial-support]: HD-DVD playlists are not fully supported. Individual files/streams may work.