About
Video that stutters or doesn’t play usually needs re-encoding for your player: most signage players are much weaker than a laptop. HandBrake is a free tool for Windows, Mac and Linux that converts any video into an easy-to-play format. We recommend H.264: it takes a little more space than H.265, but needs far less power to play.
Get Started
Convert a video for your player
- Download HandBrake from handbrake.fr and open it
- Choose your video and the preset Fast 1080p30
- Turn on Web Optimized and click Start
- After a few minutes, upload the new video to your Library
Convert a 4K portrait video to Full HD
If you re-encode 4K portrait video (2160 x 3840) to Full HD (1080 x 1920), there is an extra step in HandBrake.
- Select your video.
- Select the “Fast 1080p30” preset.
- Select the “Dimensions” tab.
- Under “Resolution & Scaling”, set “Resolution limit” to “Custom”.
- Fill in the value 1080 x 1920.
- Click “Start”.
Options
The HandBrake settings that matter:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Preset: Fast 1080p30 | Full HD at 30 frames a second, in H.264 |
| Web Optimized | Lets the video start faster |
| Dimensions → Resolution limit | Custom size, for example 1080 × 1920 for portrait |
| Constant quality | 21 to 23 gives the best balance of quality and size |
FAQ
Can I play 4K?
Play supports 4K, but many entry-level players don’t, even when advertised as 4K. Chromecast and several Fire TV Sticks run apps like ours in HD only.
It says the bit rate is too high. What does that mean?
The bit rate is how much data a second of video takes. Keep it under 8,000 kbit/s, about 1 MB per second: a 60-second clip under 60 MB. Fine for Full HD, but the exact limit depends on your player.
Why H.264 and not H.265?
H.265 files are smaller, but the player works harder to play them. On a cheap player powered by USB, H.264 plays much more smoothly.
Is HandBrake free?
Yes, it’s open source and made by volunteers.
Can I use my MacBook?
Yes. HandBrake runs on macOS, Windows and Linux.
