Download HandBrake for Mac (Intel 64bit). This version supports Mac OS 10.6 (Leopard) or above. You can see which kernel you are using on your Mac. Only 64bit.dmg is provided currently. Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu. Click More Info in the open up dialog. The latest version of the application can be downloaded for Mac OS X 10.6 or later. This free Mac app is a product of HandBrake Project. The latest setup package takes up 20.2 MB on disk. The program belongs to Audio & Video Tools. The most popular version of the software is 0.9.
HandBrake is definitely the tool you should try if you want to transcode videos, whatever you need to rip DVDs or play videos on your mobile devices. It's totally free to download and use. HandBrake is an open-source software, which means it's more safer to use on your computer. If you want and desire, you can even change the code yourself and make it work in your way.
For regular users, just download HandBrake and install to your computer and it works like a charm. If you don't know where to start. This page is for you. You'll find tutorials about how to download, install, convert a video, rip DVDs on this HandBrake fan site.
Before we start, keep in mind that HandBrake has its advantages and disadvantes. Make sure it's what you want and save your time. For more intuitive and faster media transcoder, try the best HandBrake alternative - iSkysoft iMedia Converter Deluxe.
Well, we talk about cons of HandBrake for Mac first to make a quick selection. If you can't bear these, ignore this software. You deserve better application to get things done, saving you time and money.
1. Unattractive and Ugly Interface. There are too many options in the main interface. You don't know where to begin. However, once you're familiar with all these stuff, you'll find out it doesn't matter for a powerfer video converter.
2. Slow to convert video files. It costs you longer to complete the tasks than you thought. Maybe that's why the queue feature is designed. You can added all tasks to the queue and let it be.
3. It crashes sometimes. You can't ask more for a free utility, especially for video converter. There are too many video formats and codecs in the world. It's a complicated world. They need more volunteers and testers to make HandBrake perfect.
Compared to disadvantages of HandBrake, it's easier to understand its advantages. The biggest one is free, isn't it? Actually, there are much more. Although customization options make HandBrake's interface weird, that's exactly the most attractive place for someone else. When people encounter special needs, there should be somewhere to make changes to suit their demands. HandBrake is created for everyone who has any strange requirements on video conversion.
The Preview feature is another bigger advantage. While the video is trancoding, you can preview it in a separate window to make sure it's exactly what you want. If there is something different from what you have in mind, simply go back and adjust your settings (you know how important it's now) before you start converting the file or burn it to a DVD.
There are several versions of HandBrake on its official download page. Which one is right for your system?
1. Download HandBrake for Mac (Intel 64bit). This version supports Mac OS 10.6 (Leopard) or above. You can see which kernel you are using on your Mac. Only 64bit .dmg is provided currently.
a. Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu.
b. Click More Info in the open up dialog.
c. Select Software in the Contents pane.
d. Look for '64-bit Kernel and Extensions: Yes (or No)' under the System Software Overview heading.
Here is how to switch between 32-bit and 64-bit mode: First, turn off your computer. While powering ON your Mac:
a. If your Mac uses the 32-bit mode by default, but supports the 64-bit mode, you can start up in 64-bit mode by holding the 6 and 4 keys during startup.
b. If your Mac uses the 64-bit mode by default, you can start up in 32-bit mode by holding the 3 and 2 keys during startup.
Important: Your Mac will revert to the default mode the next time you reboot it.
2. Download HandBrake for Windows (64bit or 32bit). The 64bit program will run faster generally. Make sure your operating system is compatible with it. Otherwise, download the 32bit program is safer because 64bit system can run both 64bit and 32bit programs.
It's easy to install HandBrake as long as you downloaded the right installation file. Simply doubleclick the downloaded .dmg file. In the window that opens, drag and drop the app icon to the Applications folder. It's done. Next time, you'll start HandBrake from the Applications folder by double clicking the app icon.
This is a step-by-step tutorial to show you the common method to convert a video from a codec to another.
Double click on the app icon to see whether it can start properly. You'll see the following interface if everything is OK. It looks non-intuitive. You only need to care about the Source panel in this step. Just click the Source button on top and choose a video file.
You can either select your intended destination device from the list on the right side of the window, or choose it from the drop-down list. Make sure the destination is correct so you can easily find the output files.
Now click the Start button on top to begin the task immediately. If you have multiple videos to convert, click the Add to Queue followed by adding another videos. When finish adding video, click Show Queue and start batch conversion there.
Ripping DVDs with Handbrake is similar with converting a video. First of all, make sure you've installed an additional decrypting software - libdvdcss. Handbrake works together with this DVD copy decryptor to extract movies on the DVDs.
Unfortunately, libdvdcss is not stable and results in errors. As always, the good choice is try the best HandBrake for Mac alternative - iSkysoft iMedia Converter Deluxe.
Now insert your DVD into your Mac’s DVD drive and start HandBrake from the Applications folder. By default, Handbrake shows a dialog box and asks you to select the DVDs mounted on your Mac. Pick your DVD and click Open, and HandBrake will start scanning all the titles on the DVD. HandBrake automatically selects the main title, usually with the longest duration. If you want to rip several titles, you need to select one item, then click the Add To Queue button.
The following steps are the same with converting videos, which are descripbed above.
Also check out the below videos about iSkysoft iMedia Converter Deluxe for Mac, which is the best HandBrake for Mac alternative to convert videos and rip DVD movies on Mac OS X.
Download HandBrake for Mac Alternative - intuitive and fast
These years, Mac has become popular in people’s daily life, and it is common to see Mac users watching DVD movies on their MacBook and iMac. Watching DVD movies on large-screen MacBook and iMac might be exciting, but it is inconvenient to carry MacBook with oneself in order to watch DVD movies on the go given that MacBook is heavy and takes up a lot of space. Therefore, many Mac users who happen to be DVD movie fans start to look for some best DVD rippers for Mac. For those users, the post is indeed the right place to come to as it introduces top 3 best DVD rippers for Mac. After carefully reading the post, users can freely pick up their preferred best Mac DVD ripper based on their own specific requirements.
Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac is Leawo Software’s featured Mac DVD ripping program. Having a simple and user-friendly interface, Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac like its Windows counterpart is extremely easy to operate. There is no professional expertise erquired to ultilize the best Mac DVD ripper, which means even software greenhands may find it friendly to decrypt and convert DVDs. Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac outputs a wide variety of video and audio file formats, such as MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI, RMVB, MKV, MP3, ACC, WMA, M4A, etc. In other words, it can extract video and audio off DVD disc and folder and save in countless file formats.
For advanced users, they can detail video and audio parameters such as Video and Audio Quality(Best/Normal/Low), Video and Audio Codec, Bit Rate, Resolution, Sample Rate, Frame Rate, Aspect Ratio and Channel by virtue of Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac. What’s even more amazing is that users can trim DVD video length, crop DVD video size, adjust DVD video effect, add watermark upon DVD video, and convert 2D source DVD video into 3D movie with the best Mac DVD ripper’s internal DVD editor.
MacX DVD Ripper Pro is another best Mac DVD Ripper ranking just behind Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac. Like Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac, MacX DVD Ripper Pro provides a professional solution to rip and backup DVD on Mac to many preset profiles like MP4, MOV, FLV, MP3, etc. Its supported input formats also include encrypted DVDs. It has many functions that Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac possesses: for example, detailed video and audio parameters adjustable, DVD trimming, cropping, and merging available, screen snapshot accessible, etc.
However, it cannot output 3D movies and it charges a higher price than Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac. With MacX DVD Ripper Pro in hand, users can decrypt and rip any DVDs to various video and audio formats playable on iPhone SE, iPhone 6/6s Plus, Apple TV, iPad Air, iPod Touch, etc. for on-the-go enjoyment. The second best Mac DVD ripper also has Windows version called WinX DVD Ripper.
Originally priced at $59.95, MacX DVD Ripper Pro now enjoys a holiday discount, charging $39.95 with $20 less. However, compared with $29.95 valued Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac, MacX DVD Ripper is still higher in price.
HandBrake is an open-source, multiplatform video transcoder available for MacOS X, Linux and Windows. It can input common DVD and Blu-ray source and output only MKV and MP4 video formats. It supports iPhone, iPod, PSP, Apple TV, PS3 as output devices. However, HandBrake alone cannot decrypt and copy-protected or commercial DVDs. To rip commercial DVDs, it needs the help of a third-party software, VLC media player. HandBrake is a total free DVD Ripper for Mac, Windows and Linux, but it is very unstable, and sometimes will crash, bringing much inconvenience to its users. Therefore, HandBrake alternative No. 1 best DVD ripper Mac – Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac is highly recommended.
Download and intall the top DVD Ripper for Mac – Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac, and then follow the step-by-step tutorial guide to kick off the process of ripping DVD.
☉ Decrypt and rip DVD discs with disc protection and region code
☉ Convert DVD to MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, FLV, and other 180+ HD/SD formats
☉ Convert DVD main movie to videos for space saving
☉ Convert 2D DVD movies to 3D movies with 6 different 3D effects
☉ Fast conversion with NVIDIA CUDA, AMD APP and Intel Quick Sync acceleration technologies
Step 1: Import source DVD
Insert DVD disk into Mac’s DVD drive, and click “Add UHD/Blu-ray/DVD” button to import source DVD.
Step 2: Choose output format
Click the drop-down box (named “MP4 Video” by default), and choose “Change” to select output format.
Step 3: Set output directory and Start to convert
Back to the main interface and click the big green “Convert” button. There would pop up a sidebar with “Save to” option. Set output directory and other settings as you like. Then click the bottom “Convert” button to start to convert DVD on Mac.
Leawo DVD Ripper for Mac | MacX DVD Ripper Pro | HandBrake | |
User-friendly interface that makes it easy to rip DVD | |||
Input DVD disc and DVD folder | |||
Rip commercial or copy-protected DVD | homemade DVD only | ||
Rip DVD to various formats such as AVI, MP4, MPEG, WMV, FLV, MOV, MP3, MKV, etc. | MP4, MKV, MP3 only | ||
Select subtitle and audio track | No Applicable | ||
Internal DVD editor to trim, crop, effect and watermark | only trimming and cropping available | No Applicable | |
Detailed video and audio parameters setting | No Applicable | ||
Preview input content and snap screenshot | No Applicable | ||
Internal 3D converter | No Applicable | No Applicable | |
Operating System | Mac (32-bit or 64-bit) 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite | Mac OS X Snow Leopard/Lion/Mountain Lion/Mavericks/Yosemite | For Mac OS X 10.6 to 10.11 |
Price | $29.95 | $39.95(holiday discount, originally priced at $59.95) | Free |