---
Title:           Starting encoding
Project:         HandBrake
Project_URL:     https://handbrake.fr/
Project_Version: Latest
Language:        English
Language_Code:   en
Text_Encoding:   utf-8
Authors:         Bradley Sepos <bradley@bradleysepos.com>
Copyright:       2016 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
---

Starting encoding
=================

Now that you've got all your settings just right, it's time to make your new video!

## Selecting a destination

`Destination` is where your new video will go. You can select the `Browse...` button to choose a new location and name, or type it directly in the box.

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![Selecting a destination](../images/mac/destination.png)

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Please take special care to *note your destination*. Otherwise, you won't be able to find your new video. You can move it later if you desire.

## Starting the encode

Select the `Start` button on the toolbar to make your new video.

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![Main window toolbar](../images/mac/toolbar.png "The Toolbar provides easy access to HandBrake's most common functions.")

![Starting an encode](../images/mac/start-button.png "The Start button begins encoding.")

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HandBrake will report its progress while it's working and alert you when it's finished. Then you will have a new video file at the `Destination` you specified.

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![Encode progress](../images/mac/encode-progress.png "HandBrake reports its progress during encoding.")

![Encoding complete alert](../images/mac/encode-complete.png "HandBrake shows an alert when finished encoding.")

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Congratulations! You just encoded your first video using HandBrake. It's now ready to watch on your devices.

## Next steps

If you didn't get a video file as expected, encountered an error, or 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).

Continue to (TODO: add link).