Handbrake is a free program for Mac & PC which is used to convert (transcode) videos into highly efficient H.264 .mp4 files. The process can reduce file sizes many times whilst keeping good image and sound quality.
The program can be downloaded at the Handbrake website.
- Once downloaded, open the application.
- Go to File > Open Source or select the Open Source button on the top bar.
- Select your video file.
- Open the Presets menu on the top bar and choose Fast 1080p30.
- Go to the Video tab. Ensure you have the following settings:
- Video Encoder: H.264
- FPS: Same as source
- Constant Framerate
- Constant Quality, RF 22
- If there is very little action in your video (e.g. a static PowerPoint presentation) then you can change the Framerate (FPS) to 15 or lower to make your files even smaller.
- Select Browse to choose a save location and filename for your encoded film.
- Go to the Audio tab. Ensure you have the following setting:
- Bitrate: 192 (or 160).
- Select the Add to Queue button on the top bar.
- You can repeat steps 2-8 with as many films as you wish.
- To encode your videos, select the green Start Encode button on the top bar.
- After a little time, your videos will be compressed into .mp4 format. You can then upload these smaller videos to MediaSpace.
