How to Adjust the Video Quality in HandBrake

Nobody wants to get a video with the worse quality which is even unwatchable. If you have met this issue, you are so lucky to be here, the popular Handbrake can help you to adjust the video quality. With the default settings and most of the official Presets use a constant quality encoding method. You can get a brand new video with the desired video quality.

You can use the default setting for the Preset you selected, or adjust the quality control higher or lower depending on your tastes. Increasing quality will make your new video take up more space on your computer or playback device, whereas reducing quality will typically make your new video take up less space. More details are below, we will show you the comprehensive steps.

Adjust the Video Quality in HandBrake

Step 1. Open the Handbrake and import the videos you want to adjust.

NOTE: Most of HandBrake’s official Presets use the x264 video encoder and a constant quality setting between RF 18 and 24. A lower RF number means higher quality.

Step 2. At the main interface, click the Video and adjust the video quality. If you don’t know the best video quality setting, you can refer to the following information:

Recommended settings for x264 and x265 encoders:

• RF 18-22 for 480p/576p Standard Definition
• RF 19-23 for 720p High Definition
• RF 20-24 for 1080p Full High Definition
• RF 22-28 for 2160p 4K Ultra High Definition

Step 3. After the video quality adjustment, you can use the HandBrake’s Preview feature which allows you to perform the video changes.

Best Way to Adjust the Video Quality

Even though HandBrake can adjust the video quality easily, most users are not too satisfied with the video quality, especially the output video formats, HandBrake only can provide the MP4 and MKV videos which are not enough. By the abundant test, we find the best HandBrake alternative: Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate which allows you to import the video with various video formats, like the MP4, AVI, MOV, WMV, FLV, etc, you also can load the DVD and Blu-ray disc, disc images and folder. With the high stability, you also can do batch video conversion which can save much time and energy.

You can choose the different video formats you want, you also can upscale the SD video to HD video by choosing the HD MP4, HD AVI, HD WMV, etc, this software will provide the 1080p video for you. Best of all, you even can upscale the HD video to 4K video with 3840p video resolution, you just need to adjust the video resolution in the setting window. In addition, you can adjust the video parameters for different video quality, like the video frame, video bitrate, video codec, audio codec, audio sample rate, audio channels, etc. Let’s review the steps:

Step by Step to Adjust the Video Quality

Step 1. Launch and start the video converter on your computer, click “File” > “Add Video/Audio” or “Add from Folder” to import source files to the program. For Mac users, please use the equivalent Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac which is as excellent as Windows version.

Step 2. Click “Format” to open the drop-down window and you can get the HD videos by choosing “HD Video” catelog. If you want to get the 4K videos, you have 3 options:

• Choose the HD MKV video and and set video codes to x265 and video size to 3840×2160 in “Settings” to choose to export 4K MKV format after joined the footages.
• Choose “H.265 MP4 Video” in “HD Video” then configure video resolution to 3840×2160 in “Settings” to output H.265 MP4.
• Choose “H.264 High Profile Video(*.mp4)” in “Common Video” and then adjust video size in “Settings” to keep 4K resolution.

Step 3. You also can click Setting button and adjust the video related parameters, like the size, bitrate, frame rate, audio channels, etc. can be customized in your own way.

Step 4. After all the tasks are finished, go back to the main interface and click the Convert button to start the video conversion. This software will finish the video conversion with the fast speed.

Tip: Video Quality Information

SD video has a resolution of 720×480 or fewer pixels (720×576 for PAL). DVDs, small web videos, and most analog sources are SD.

720p HD video has a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. With three times the resolution of SD, and about half that of 1080p HD, 720p HD is commonly used by consumer video cameras, web videos, and broadcast TV sports.

1080p HD video has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels—twice the resolution of 720p and six times the resolution of 480p. 1080p HD video is commonly used by mobile phones and tablets, consumer and professional video cameras, and Blu-ray.

2160p UHD video has a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels and is four times the resolution of 1080p. 4K video is used by high-end mobile phones and tablets, consumer and professional video cameras, and 4K Blu-ray.