How to Enable HandBrake GPU Acceleration: Detailed Steps and Alternative

Among various popular video converters and transcoders, HandBrake stands out as a free and open-source program that converts digital files into different formats hassle-free. Seasoned and new users prefer HandBrake for its ease of use and versatility. However, many users wonder, "Does HandBrake use GPU?" Only a few users know they can harness HandBrake GPU acceleration to boost the transcoding process using the system's graphics card. Stay tuned to see how to enable HandBrake GPU acceleration to enhance your video conversion performance and make a substantial difference. Let's learn the detailed steps and explore the best handBrake alternative to optimize your video transcoding experience. Let's dive in!

Does HandBrake Use GPU Acceleration?

Everyone knows the popularity of HandBrake as a video transcoder, but it gradually adds support for GPU acceleration. For example, HandBrake 1.2.0 uses the GPU acceleration of NVIDIA NVENC and AMD VCE.

If you think about whether HandBrake use GPU instead of CPU, you must know that its fast CPU and memory benefit in various ways. For example, it helps with video and audio encoders, fillers, and other tasks if the hardware decoding is unavailable or disabled. On the other hand, modern GPU hardware also contributes to the program's hardware video encoders.

👍Features of HandBrake GPU Acceleration

HandBrake use GPU acceleration to boost the video encoding process, which is supported by the NVIDIA NVENC encoder and AMD VCE. This leaves more CPU resources available for other processes and provides high-performance encoding at a reasonable quality. HandBrake uses dedicated ASIC hardware on the processor for video encoding.

Can HandBrake GPU Acceleration be Applied to the Hardware?

Before enabling the HandBrake GPU acceleration, it is necessary to understand whether your GPU has hardware encoders. Otherwise, you won't be able to use HandBrake. Here's where you can follow the below steps and, as an example, check whether the NVIDIA GPU is in sync with the NVENC.

Step 1: Open the Wikipedia page and check the list of NVIDIA GPUs.

Step 2: Hold the Ctrl + F keys and enter the exact name of your graphics card.

Step 3: Look for the corresponding Code Name.

❗Remember: The NVENC technology supports Code names that start with GK, GM, or GP. So focus only on these and ignore others.

Step 4: Once done, you can install or reinstall and update your NVIDIA graphics card driver.

How Can You Enable GPU Acceleration in HandBrake?

Despite using old hardware or OS, you can take advantage of the GPU acceleration of HandBrake, even if the video transcoder program does not support it. However, we recommend upgrading the software to its latest version before you proceed.

Taking DVD transcoding as an example, here's how users can configure HandBrake to use GPU acceleration.

Step 1: Browse to the HandBrake's official download page. Download and install the program's attest version for Windows PC, Macintosh, or Linux computers.

Step 2: Subsequently, download libdvdcss (a third-party program) and move it to HandBrake's setup file directory. Libdvdcss is helpful for detecting, reading, and bypassing the decryption of copy-protected discs (CSS only).

Step 3: Now, load the encrypted DVD into the optical drive and launch HandBrake. Tap Open Source in the top menu bar and navigate to the DVD option to load your content. Next, click the Video tab.

💡Make the necessary adjustments. For example, in the Video Codec section, choose any of the below options:

• H.264 (Intel QSV)
• H.264 (Nvidia NVEnc)
• H.265 (Intel QSV)
• H.265 (Nvidia NVEnc)

Check the other configurations, such as Quality, Framerate (FPS), Encoder Preset, Encoder Profile, and Encoder Level.

Step 4: Now, pick an output preset. You can even set personalized video parameters to match your needs. However, you must remember that the higher the settings, the greater the time it would take to generate results.

For example, High-Quality video will have a large file size and low speed. On the contrary, Low-Quality video will have a small file size but rapid output-generation speed.

So, keeping these facts in mind, make a well-informed decision.

For additional output settings:

• CQ is recommended between 19 and 21 values when you rip DVD content. We do not advise going beyond 22 RF.
• For the framerate, you can choose the Same as Source.
• Denoise NL states that the filter consumes memory, which can drastically slow down your encodes.
• For 8K video encoding, set the Encoder Level to 6 or higher. But for 4K video transcoding, set it between 5 - 5.2. However, HandBrake does not support it yet.

Step 5: After making all the necessary settings and previewing them, click Start Encode. HandBrake will automatically gear up to generate the desired result.

Users' Feedback on HandBrake GPU Acceleration: Positive and Negative Reviews

Different users have different experiences while working with HandBrake based on their levels of skill and expertise. When HandBrake not using GPU, the speed may remain slow. However, users can see significant speed improvements once the GPU acceleration is enabled, especially when encoding video using a dedicated graphics card. While GPU acceleration in HandBrake has received positive reviews, some users have also shared their feedback, which may not go down well with new users. Let's check the primary concerns of HandBrake GPU acceleration.

Here are some of the positive and negative reviews (user concerns) of HandBrake GPU acceleration. Let's look.

1. Blazing Speed Enhancement

When you enable the HandBrake GPU acceleration, you can significantly reduce encoding time, especially when encoding high-resolution or lengthy video files.

2. Complicated Configuration

HandBrake's GPU acceleration settings can be complex for novices and new users. Understanding the impact on output quality requires some degree of technical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the encoding options.

3. Limited Codec Support

Sadly, not all the video codecs may be fully optimized for HandBrake GPU acceleration. This leads to variations in performance depending on the selected output format.

4. High Usage of CPU

When HandBrake use GPU and the GPU acceleration is enabled, the CPU often remains busy at high usage due to specific tasks outside of the video encoding process, such as muxing and decoding, that are not always fully accelerated.

5. Compatibility with the Hardware

Some new users have reported issues detecting their GPU or finding specific encoding profiles that do not work optimally with their particular graphics card.

6. Considerations Regarding Quality Variations

While the HandBrake GPU speed benefits are excellent, some users can notice a slight change in quality. The output quality varies significantly depending on the selected encoding profile and HandBrake GPU acceleration settings.

Most users consider HandBrake's GPU acceleration feature a valuable tool for speeding up video encoding. However, managing expectations concerning CPU usage and ensuring proper compatibility with your computer's hardware and encoding settings is essential.

Is HandBrake GPU Acceleration Worth Your Time and Attention

Now, you have seen how to enable the HandBrake GPU acceleration to speed up the video conversion. However, you can already see the negative impact based on the user reviews. And that's not it. There are more underlying flaws that can make you rethink your decision to use HandBrake for video conversion.

Also, HandBrake cannot digitize encrypted DVD content. Instead, you must install libdvdcss to decrypt it, but that, too, removes only the CSS copy protection. Suppose you do all this, you will only have three output formats to choose from: MKV, Mp4, and WebM.

HandBrake can not encode an entire movie, has poor output quality, and sometimes stops encoding and crashes halfway. While some settings are already complex for non-techie users, why complicate the process further? Instead, opt for a reliable HandBrake alternative right away. DVDFab DVD Ripper can prove the best bet for many reasons. Wonder how? Keep reading to explore its features, pros, and workings.

Best HandBrake Alternative to Rip DVDs at Lightening Speed: DVDFab DVD Ripper

DVDFab DVD Ripper

DVDFab DVD Ripper is a versatile, one-stop solution to bypass your DVD-ripping issues, as it can effectively manage old and new encryption techniques. The program's Cloud Decryption Service can recognize and decrypt newly purchased encrypted DVDs and rip them in 5 to 10 seconds.

Besides this, its state-of-the-art technology leverages high-speed digitization at faster speed than standard DVD ripper programs. Customization of output parameters offers personalized results and a smooth process, especially during backup. DVDFab DVD ripper supports ripping the newest commercial, rental, or recorded adult DVD content in over 1000 video and audio file formats, including popular ones. It facilitates lossless upscale to 1080p full HD resolution.

Why Choose DVDFab DVD Ripper: Pros and Cons of DVDFab DVD Ripper

Let's weigh the benefits of DVDFab DVD Ripper against the limitations to help you understand whether it is the perfect fit for your ripping needs.

Pros and Cons of DVDFab DVD Ripper

• Removes any type of encryption, whether old or new, for smooth conversion
• Rips and digitize DVD content to desired media formats in lossless 1:1 original quality
• Configure the preferences for playback on all devices, such as Mobile, Web, or Home Theatre, and AI
• Armed with the latest advanced GPU hardware acceleration for quicker, 50x faster ripping
• Offers Multitasking mode for ripping multiple DVDs at once by adding them together in a queue
• Trim and crop video sections to discard unwanted clips and get the desired aspect ratio
• Add image or text-based watermarks to the video clips
• Adds external subtitles in ASS or SRT format to the ripped video content
• Tailor the output parameters by adjusting brightness, saturation, or contrast

• The free version supports only MKV and MP4 output formats
• DVDFab DVD Ripper is unavailable for Linux computers

How to Rip DVDs at a Fast Speed with DVDFab DVD Ripper

Step 1: Install the latest version of DVDFab on your Windows PC or Macintosh computer. DVDFab works seamlessly on Windows 7 and above versions and Mac OS 10.10 to 14.x.

Step 2: After running the software and entering the main interface, go to the left sidebar and hit the Ripper module. Subsequently, insert your copy-protected (old or latest encryption) DVD content into the optical drive. If it has already been inserted, you can click the large + icon to load the source.

The program has drag-and-drop functionality to rip an ISO file or folder. You can drag your required files directly to the homepage.

Step 3: Once the source content is added, tap the Choose Other Profile option to choose the preferred output video format, such as MKV, MP4, AVI, FLV, M2TS, MOV, TS, WebM, or WMV.

There are many options available, and you can customize the results by selecting the audio tracks and language, adding external subtitles, or extracting subtitles from DVD to SRT format.

Advanced Settings and Video Edit options are also available to tailor the digital parameters and get the desired results.

Step 4: After you configure and confirm all the output settings, move down to the Output tab on the main page on the left side. Here, you can select the final storage location for your output file so it is easy to locate after the conversion.

Touch the Start tab to begin the digitization process and convert the DVD content to your desired media format.

The Bottom Line

HandBrake GPU acceleration helps free the CPU by taking the load off to boost the video encoding process. It utilizes advanced hardware acceleration technologies such as AMD VCE, Intel QSV (Quick Sync Video), and NVIDIA NVENC. However, it supports only a handful of hardware-accelerated programs and computers. Ensure your computer meets the recommended configurations to make the most of the HandBrake GPU.

While we have explained the detailed steps of enabling the GPU acceleration for HandBrake, new users can find the process complex. Moreover, other limitations of HandBrake may compel you to seek solace in a better DVD-ripping solution like DVDFab DVD Ripper. Its ease of use gives professional results at 50x faster speed and better digitization options.