I’m not sure this is in the right place.
I’ve just started experimenting with Plex and I’ve been using been using handbrake to do the encoding.
I’m finding handbrake a bit complicated to use. Would it be better to use something like makemkv or another application?
Are there any tips I should know as I begin trying to digitize my dvd collection?
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Handbrake and MakeMKV are two different things:
Handbrake is an encoder - Handbrake Guide in my signature.
MakeMKV is a ripping program - extracts 1:1 (read: HUGE) video and audio streams from DVD or Bluray discs in their original form (read: HUGE).
If you have a powerful server, able to transcode those original streams that may or may not work, as is, over your local network - not to mention your internet for remote clients - MakeMKV may be all you need (if you have ample storage for those HUGE files you’re going to be ripping from disc).
If you want to first rip your DVDs or Blurays with MakeMKV, then use Handbrake to knock 'em down to size a bit - or convert them into compatible formats for your varied clients - you’ll be doing what a LOT of other folks do.
Most people use both Handbrake and MakeMKV, some people use only MakeMKV, but nobody uses just Handbrake, 'cause Handbrake won’t encode raw Blurays (AFAIK) from disc - you’ll need MakeMKV first - then Handbrake.
Thank you for the information and the guide.
I tried using the older version of handbrake you recommended but it doesn’t seem to be detecting the Closed Captions from my leverage season 1 dvd. The disc is perfectly readable so I don’t think that’s the issue.
The strange thing is that the newest version of handbrake does detect them. I’m one of those people who prefers to have sub titles so I’d like to have them encoded and synced up if possible.
Another guide I came across recommended using a bit rate of 4266, is that really overkill? I know your guide only recommended a maximum of 2200
@JuiceWSA said:
Most people use both Handbrake and MakeMKV, some people use only MakeMKV, but nobody uses just Handbrake, 'cause Handbrake won’t encode raw Blurays (AFAIK) from disc - you’ll need MakeMKV first - then Handbrake.
Yep, MakeMKV is the way to go. Once the file(or files from a series) is ripped to your drive then you could do just about anything you want with it. Leave as is, convert to a smaller copy, burn-in subtitles, etc…
@auroraparadox said:
Thank you for the information and the guide.I tried using the older version of handbrake you recommended but it doesn’t seem to be detecting the Closed Captions from my leverage season 1 dvd. The disc is perfectly readable so I don’t think that’s the issue.
Add Track - select subs - burn in, or don’t, but image based subs WILL require transcoding on (almost) everything you attempt to play them on. I suggest you use MKVToolNix/MKV Extract and attain a UTF-8, text based sub file - or use Xmedia Recode to convert those PGS subs to UTF-8 so they can direct play.
The strange thing is that the newest version of handbrake does detect them. I’m one of those people who prefers to have sub titles so I’d like to have them encoded and synced up if possible.
Another guide I came across recommended using a bit rate of 4266, is that really overkill? I know your guide only recommended a maximum of 2200
If you think you need 4266Kbps (4.3Mbps) bit rate for a DVD - then by all means create it. I suggest you do some testing, make some previews, use your eyeballs and stop adding bit rate when your eyeballs can detect no further improvement. You’ll save a LOT of storage space that way.
For DVDs my eyeballs stop seeing any improvement above about 2200Kbps. That’s pretty much where I stop adding bit rate. The problem is you can’t use my eyeballs to watch your media - so you have to make the call.
https://mkvtoolnix.download/downloads.html
http://www.xmedia-recode.de/en/download.html
I did a bit of digging and the older version of Handbrake doesn’t seem to detect the closed captions on the dvd I’m using
I’m going to stick with the newer version for now and then switch back if needed.
I read your guide and you said the results of constant quality were inconsistent. What did you mean exactly?
I ran a few tests and a constant quality of 16 looks perfect to my eyes.
You’ll find file sizes and bit rates wildly erratic,but if you’re happy with the results that’s all that matters.
